White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-01
GRAVES SETTLES;
CASE DISMISSED
FORMER McGILL POSTOFFICE
EMPLOYE PAYS SHORTAGE
CLAIMED by GOVERNMENT
AND IL RELEASED.


the former assistant postmaster at
McGill. charged with embezzlement
was concluded at Carson City. Tues
day; the United States district at
torney moving for the respondents
release, provided the money, $119.3g.
the amount of the alleged embezzle-
ment, be returned.
Graves was charged with embozzI-
ing funds from the post Office depart
ment while employed as an assistant
postmaster at MeGin In White Pine
county. 1t was claimed that he had
accepted money from Greek In pay
ment for a money order and nad
made out the order returns on his
books for a smaller sum than the or
der given to the Greek.
Graves was defended by Attorney
Sam Bedford, while Attorney Sala
Platt appeared for the government
For three days the case engaged the
attention of the court and jury and
two attorneys battled in legal vel
fare to prove the points of their eon-
tention, says the Carson City News.
The government was supplied with
its documentary evidences which
tended TO prove a crime and was sup
ported by the testimony of the Greek
who bought the money order and
several others who knew of The work
done at the postofilce. On the Other
hand the defendant had number of
prominent professional men of the
state as Witnesses to his character
and manhood
Throughout the trial the mother
of the defendant sat by his side and
spoke to him in an encouraging way.
showing that she fully believed In his
innocence.
Attorney Platt. In his questioning
Graves, tried to draw out the ad-
mission from the defendant that
there was a possibility that a mis-
take could have been made This
the prisoner would not eoncede and
for some time the questioning con
tinued along this line. AT last At.
torney Plat asked the direct ques-
tlon IF this was a mistake IN book
keeping would YOU pay the amount
due?" The young man insisted that
he had not made mistake and con
sequently would not pay anything
Then the question was asked b.
Attorney Platt "Will you pay the
government the money that is due
it,"
Immediately an objection was
raised by Attorney Belford who
claimed that the question was i'm
proper.
Attorney Platt was upon his feet
and turning to Mr. Belford said
II am asking this question with a
purpose. The government has been
defrauded out of the sum of approx
mately S119. and If this defendant
will state that there might have been
a mistake in the accounts and pay
the sum due the government within
one hour. | will move for the dis
mssal of the case"
The counsel for the respondent
answered: The money will be paid
at once. will you take my cheek for
it,"
Judge harrington Strengthened up
IN his seat and watched the proceed
ings with rather surprised look
which turned to smile when the
kindly old Judge realized that the
governments attorney was SHOWING
mercy to a young man who perchahee
would yet make good.
Upon the payment to the attorney
for the government OF the money
duo a Mr. platt arose and asked ior
the dismissal of the case, STATING tha'
while he believed the government mao
made a very strong case ana couiu
go further in the matter still he De-
lieved that 1t would not be Tor 'ne
best end of justice to convict inc
young man and thus ruin his lie anu
as he was young man ne cou'u
profit by the lesson and walk III tue
straight and narrow path hereafter
Judge Harrington turned to the
prisoner and said: 1.-The attorney ioi
the government has seen III 10 a'n
for the dismissal of this case ana II
is not within my province 10 ques-
ton his motive even If ! felt SO II,
clined. The evidence which mas az
ready been adduced should JUSTLY
the jury In bringing In veruio' u