The Washington times., 1904-04-12

tated in giving an explanation Of the
methods which the former District clerk
pursued in transacting the work as
signed 10 MIN.
Watson. however. was all seriousness
when Assistant District Attorney Tur-
ner was making a statement to the jury
Of the crime with which the former is
accused. Every word Air. Turner utter
appeared greatly relieved when the Dis
trict Attorney had concluded.
The examination Of the witnesses for
the Government is being conducted by
Mr.. Taggart and Mr.. Worthington is
taking the leading part for the defense.
At the recess hour Mr.. Petty had not
concluded his direct examination.
Detail of the Trial.
When the court convened at 10 o'clock
the empanellng OF the jury was resumed
and was completed in twenty-seven min
utes
In all twenty-one talesmen were called
this morning. or these. six stated to
the court that they had already formed
opinions OF the guilt or innocence Of
Watson which would disquaIify them to
sit in judgment upon him.
" hen the panel was completed. JUS
tice Pritchard ordered the trial 10 be
proceeded with without delay.
Mr.. WOrthington, then moved that all
the witnesses summoned by both sides
to testify be excluded from the court
room. There was no objection inter
posed by counsel for the Government,
and the court ordered the witnesses eN-
cluded.
Statement Of Case.
At 1873 Assistant District Attorney
Charles II. Turner began his statement
Of the Governments case. He made a
brief resume OF the seven counts in the
two indictments on which Watson is be-
ing tried. He also stated the reasons
Watson is alleged 70 have given for and
the manner in which ne came into the
possession Of the funds Of the District.
which he is accused OF NembezzIing.
Mr.. Worthington. when Mr. Turner
hao concluded stated 20 the court that
he would not make any statement of
the defense at that time.
The First Witness.
The first witness called was Thomas
Franklin Athey,- "A clerk employed at
the Treasury Department He was call
ed 10 testify relative to the authenticity
had realized Thomas A. Hodgson. a
clerk in the Treasury Department. was
next called. and produced the vouchers
upon which the checks referred 10 by
Athcy were drawn.
James r. Petty. Auditor Of the Dis
trict. at the time Watson was employed
as a clerk was next called
He said he was Auditor from lSS
until August Il. 1905. Watson. he says
was appointed 10 a clerkship Decembe
3. 1895. and continued so until June
1873 He was employed as clerk
charge Of what is known as the "A
posit assessment fund"
Identified Checks.
Mr.. Petty then Identified a large nuf
Der Of checks and vouchers connect
with the transactions In which Watts
is involved. He then went into an
planatiOn in detail 20 the methods p
sued by Watson IN accomplishing
alleged embezzlement In this conn
tion he explained how certain fur
IN the custody OF the District. were
posted in different local banks. "
son, he said, had 70 do with an n
bank accounts. He then explained
these different accounts were or
ated. -.....
Mr.. Petty testified particularly in
erencc 20 the accounts 20 the cred,
OF the District in the Central Natt
the Traders National, and Natl
Capital Banks
10 his credit ~ the Treasury. He
explained the method pursued BY
disbursing officer Of the District, {
tanning money from the Treasury
placing fl 10 the credit OF the Dtsu
This money, he said. was plac'