The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-28
GRAFT TRIAL BEGINS.
Pennsylvania Arraigns Alleged Loot
ers of the Treasury.

Harrisburg, Pa, Jan. 2S.-Not since
the trial of United States Senator M. S.
Quay ten years ago for conspiracy to
wreck Philadelphia bank has there
been such interest in the trial as has
been manifested throughout Pennsyl-
vania in the proceedings being
brought today against the men
charged with conspiracy to loot the
state treasury in connection with the
construction and furnishing of the
state capitol building. Since the revel-
atoms of nearly two years ago in
which some of the foremost men of
the state were involved the imposing
white marble structure on Capitol hill
with its ornate furnishings and fres-
Goes has been a point of great inter
est to curiosity seekers and citizens
generally. ExcursiOn1srs have come
from all over the state inspired by a
desire to see the bronze chandeliers
alleged to be loaded with tons of lead,
the commonplace furniture paid for at
fabulous price per foot" and the
painting and frescoing for which there
is said to have been an overcharge of
hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The trial of the alleged conspirators
is being conducted in the dingy, old
fashioned county court house and it's
resources have been stretched to the
limit to accommodate the defend
ants, attorneys and newspaper cores
pondentS.
A special jury panel of 80 is on hand
and Judge George F. Kunkle, once a
member of the legislature and new
conner on the Pennsylvania bench is
presiding. The first of the five conspir-
acy cases listed for trial involves pay
ments of S49,717 for sofas, tables and
clothes trees. The items were paid for
by the state at the rate of $18 40 per
foot" The commonwealth alleges that
frauds to the amount of $1930S were
perpetrated. The defendants in these
five cases are Chief Contractor John H
Sanderson, and Architect Muhnston,
former Auditor General William P.
Snyder, former State Treasurer Will
lam Mathues and James NJ Shumaker,
former superintendent of grounds and
buildings. Neither Congressman H,
structing company, nor the remaining
eight defendants in the prosecutions
figure in these conspiracy cases.
The prosecution is being conducted by
Attorney General Todd. James C. Scar
lett, chief counsel for the legislative
investigation commission; Assistant
Deputy Attorney General J. B. Cum
bingham; Senator John E. Fox and Dis
trict Attorney John F. Weiss. The de-
PENDANTS are represented by George
g. Graham, A. S. L. Shields, P F. Roth
ermel, Jr., ex-Judge A. NJ. Better, Sam
uel M Clement, Jr., former Attorney
General William U. Hensel. William
Schaffer, Charles H. Bergner Lyman
D. Gilbert and State Representative
Edward E. Biedleman.
Sanderson supplied most of the fur
nishings of the capitol. His contract
amounted to $5,4S7 ,S99 and his profits in
some instances are alleged to have been
as much as 1900 per cent. Huston de-
signed the building, and furnishings. his
commissions amounting to $415b3
Shumaker is accused of having failed
to audit the bills of Sanderson and is
also charged with having accepted Hus-
toms certification that the work was
UP to the Specifications and contract
Mathues is alleged to have paid the