The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-07
ASKED TO PAY BILL
IN BEATT|E CASE
Famous Trial Cost $500, Of
Which $4,000 Is Yet
Unpaid.
AUDITORS HANDS TIED
Senator Watkins Will Introduce
Measure TO Satisfy Out
standing Accounts.

AS the real aftermath of the ccle-
brated Bcatiic murder case. a bill will
be introduced in the Senate to-day by
Senator Watkins, FROM Chesterfield.
calling for an appropriation OF $1,000
by the General Assembly to deiray the
expresses of this famous triai. II is
probable that Il similar bill will be
introduced in the House ut tho same
| time.
According TO the men intimately
connected with the case. the Bcattie
trial cost the State $500. OF this
amount, the sum Of $4,000 has been
paid according to law, but the re-
! naming $4,000, covering Il number of
unusual items. cannot be settled by
the state Auditor, for the reason thai
the statute books contain no laws
authorizing such payment The sum
yet unpaid includes bills for automo-
biles. attorneys fees, meals for Bculah
/ Biniord and Paul Beattic while In the
hcnrico Jail, witness fees due Paul
Bcattio and several other incidcntals.
Less Thnn McCuc TrInI.
Although the inaccessibillty OF the
scene of the murder and the place OF
F. tho trial cntailed unusual expense. tho
cost of the Bcattie trial fell short Of
the expense OF tho equally famous
McCuc case. In the McCue trial the
expenses were betrayed by the city OF
charlottesville and afterwnrd collect
ed from the state after Il lawsuit.
The bill about to be introduced in the
General Assembly will ask for an O. *.
OF the bills by the Assembly in order
that the State Auditor may honor
them. 1t Is believed that favorable
action will be taken by the Assembly
| in order that innocent parties may
not suffer severe pecuniary loss by the
non payment OF the bills.
One of the chief losers under the
existing condition Is Mrs. Harry
Beardslcy, Seventeenth Street res
taurant keeper, who furnished meals
for the two State witnesses al the in
stance of County Officer Terrell and a
city detective. Although Mrs. Boards
ley furnished meals to the extent Of
SIG she has been unable TO collect
one cent on her bill j. J. Saady,
Main street rcstaurateur, holds q
smaller bill for tho same account, and
he also has not effected settlement.
After appealing In vain to Judge
Watson. of the Chesterfield county
Circuit Court. Clerk :. Y. Cogbill. OF
the same court. and the Chesterfield
supervisors. Mrs. Bcardsley finally put
her bill in the hands Of lawyer. Al
though she once contemplated bringing
suit against farrell for the amount OF
abandoned In favor of the bill to be put
before the Legislature. IT was al ono
time hoped that the bills might be
paid from the Governors contingent
fund. but this was found Impractical Bile
under the law.
Paul Denttic's Claim.
Next 10 Mrs. Beardslcy. Paul Beatt!c,
| the witness upon whom the Common
wealth based the strength of It's case.
J was the greatest individual loser. With
a wife and little child TO support. Paul
Beatttc was held for forty-cight days
/ in the Hrnrico Jail In failure 10 put up
| bond Of $4,000. Tho state law al
! lows witness in such condition the
case the Commonwealth, through its
! attorneys. promised Paul 81 q day. He
( has failed to collect, after appealing
| to the same sources sought by Mrs.
| Bcardsley
The bills rendered by the tax!cab
companies arc heavy. but. according 10
| Judge Watson, the use of the auto
mobiles saved the county still heavier
| expense. In addition to saving most
| precious time. IT is hard TO estimate
| the value of the taxicabs to the police
| and detectives In tracing down the
! guilty part In the short time actually
| taken. No settlement OF the bills in
! Cured In this way has ever been
( made.
! As the matter stands now this bill
| is tho last resort for the people vino
| hold bills against the Commonwealth
| for this trial. The state Auditor has
! has tho Judge. and so have the super
, visors. Unless the General Assembly
| consents to O. *. these bills the credi-
tors haven't q shadow Of chance Of
ever being reimbursed.
| Tnclsy Party.
| Mrs. n. c. Taylors Circle Of Ashury Pace
! Methodist Church Will give tacky party at
tho home OF j. Lee Davis, Gjli F.esS Ave-
nue.. tomorrow evening.
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