The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-09-29
BELL EXONERATED.
Investigation Concluded But Report in
Detail Not Given Ont.

A examination of the much dis.
cussed vouchers of g. j. Bell, for SER
vices and expenses on the board of sg-
ric-lture and as cattle commissioner,
began in the auditors office at the
State House on Monday afternoon,
This investigation is made at the in
stance Of the Democratic State COM
mittee. By request, Hon. j. A. De-
Boer, president of the National Life
Insurance Company and State Senator
in the biennial term of 10000. repre-
port of Brattleboro and c. H. Senter,
the Democratic State committee,
Auditor Graham appearing as the
custodian of the vouchers and records
of the office.
The investigation began with the
examination of the seventeen vouchers
enumerated in Mr. Davenports
charges against Mr.. Bell. At the
close of the afternoon session these
had been gone over in detail, No re.
port is made by the investigators. but
there is general understanding that
at the close of the afternoon session,
when the court" adjourned for sup
per, it's business had reached the
point where it only remained to for.
mulate its report. No kink had been
found in Mr.. Bells vouches. All was
straight as a string" The clerical
or, as is wont to be said in such
cases, the printer rs-error which
showed that Mr.. Bell had charged for
more days in the fiscal years of 1901
'02 than there are calendar days in
the year, were shown to be errors of
the auditors report The inconsis-
tencies that had been pointed ont were
reconoiled with the facts of the vouch.
ers. and the work OF the investigation
seemed to have reached the end-the
end set by the charges. The vouchers
completely exonerated Mr.. Bell.
On re.convening in the evening,
however, the inquisitors, disap-
the investigation of the afternoon,
seemed to shift the ground of their
inquiry. They professed to scent
something rotten in the details of Mr..
Bells charges for expenses
bills, mileage, livery, etc., etc.
Then it was proposed to examine into
certain of these charges; the reply by
Mr.. Bells representative was, Then
we will examine them all,
Accordingly, detailed examina-
tion and classification of the various
items of expense charged in the
vouchers was begun, and the represen-
tatives of Mr. Bell held the proseou-
tion" down to the work till the morn
ing dawned and the breakfast hour
admonished them that it was time to
adjourn for refreshment. At $3.50 the
work of tabulating. classifying, and
footing columns of figures was re-
sumed. comparisons instituted, items
and totals checked off.
The most notable find, the mouse
this mountain of labor brought forth.
was the discovery of an error of
cents in charge for telegram-be-
ing charged at 90 cents when in fact it
was so cents. :
At noon Tuesday the Investigators
were still engaged in ciphering. ar
ranging and summarizing. No state
ment could be obtained from either
side of the contention. Apparently
the prosecution will attempt to show
that Mr.. Bells charge for various ex
penses are "wadded' d''-money being
charged tor expenses which were not
incurred. The purpose to go into de-
tails seems to indicate this. The ac-
cusers do not seem inclined to accept
as conclusive the evidence of the
vouchers, either on the original issue,
or on the secondary.
Nc information can be given as to
when the inquiry will end, or when
the report will be made. or whether
or not there will be one report or
two.
If anything rejecting on him il
found, Mr.. Barber, the auditor under
whose administration these matters
accrued, claims to be heard. So,
also, does Mr.. Bell. If the "court'
waits to hear these men, it cannot
be foretold when it will be ready t6
report.
The report will deal with the facts
and figures of the whole case and
| uiIl ha iptarast;uo readino