The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-05-27
Col. Brooks Defence.

vate drawer in his desk.
Col. Brooks Defence.
William T. Brock, who is charged
with wasting the money of the State
in making the inspections of the COM
panies of the National Guard of the
State as assistant adjutant general,
on Wednesday, gave to the court of
inquiry his version of the expense &C
counts which he incurred during the
past four years. He was on the stand
nearly the entire day and his cross
examination was not concluded When
the court adjourned late Wednesday.
On cross-examination, Col. Brock
did not make any definite statements
as to the details Of his expense &C.
counts as filed with the comptroller
general for the years 1907, 1908 and
1909. He produced a notebook from
which he read his statements for the
inspections of this year. He also stat
ed that the bookkeeping system in the
office was defective and in many in
stances no records were kept by Gen.
Boyd.
Col. Brock stated to the members Of
the court that his itemized accounts
we're not correct, but that the total
amounts put. down a. expended had
been expended, and that they were
absolutely correct.
He stated to the court that he
could. not remember all Of the money
that he had spent as assistant adju-
tant general in making the inspec-
tons of the State militia.
States Position.
At the morning session he stated
his, position clearly to the court. The
history of the controversy was re-
viewed, He said that the most of his
itemized statements were for his &C.
tual living expenses and that when he
put down an item as. "hotel," it means
all that he spent, such as hotel bills,
shining of shoes, laundry, polishing
of leggings and other i~ncidentals. He
placed a liberal construction upon his
expense accounts.
The Washington trip was the sub
ject of special explanation at the aft
ernoon. session. Col Brock reviewing
the entire matter, stating that he re-
ceived $50 before he left here. He
detailed his expenses, which included
Pullman 1.-TWO way), Sc; suppers, ST.;
breakfasts, S.; hotel in Washington,
$40.
Col. Brock said that altogether, in
the time from Monday afternoon until
Friday afternoon, when he left Wash
ington, he spent .s65, but only charg-
ed. the State up with $50, for which
amount he prepared a statement on
his return.
Expense of Trip.
In explanation of the difference in
Lieut.. Cabaniss' expenses and his
own, Col. Brock said that the army
officer had a smaller room, without
bath; Col. Brooks roo being with
bath; that Lieut.. Cabaniss did not
stay as long as he did.
Col. Brock testified that he prepar-
ed a statement of his expenses and
handed same to Gen. Boyd; that the
latter told him, well, I guess Lieut..
Cabaniss' expense was about the
same, so prepare his also" That
he did prepare it, and the honey was
paid on both.
That Col. Cabaniss later presented
the S3057 statements, whic hhas been
a casus belli, was Col. Brooks state
ment on the stand. "Some time later"
said Col. Brock, Cent Boyd came
across the Cabaniss statement"
Col. Brock said he told Gen. Boyd
that Col Cabaniss had already receiv-
ed his money and that the warrants
were for a larger amount, and then
the difference was in the bank to the
credit of Gen. Boyd and had possibly
been expended in the usual run of the
office.
Not a Private Drawer.
E. Gen. Boyd's drawer in the desk
was never private until the last two
weeks" said Col. Brock. II am not
positive whether there was any lock
On it or not. A duplicate key was on
Gen. Boyd's desk. I often went into
the drawer. I don't recall having IN
locked it at any time"
Asked directly about The Cabaniss
statement which Mrs. Moody had tes-