Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-01-29

Gates offered some information but Mr..
Stickney called his attention to the fact.
that he was the examiner and asked him
to reply to Mr.. Stckney's questions. He
, said no one had ever called his attention
to the above item. This item is divided
into $500 and $500 accounts. He denied
that he himself had ever called attention
to the item.
Mr. Deavitt was recalled to the stand
and stated that he called the Sl10O item
to Mr.. Gates attention the first time he
was in the office. The matter was press
ed and Mr.. Deavitt again stated he had
talked with Mr.. Gates about the matter.
Mr.. Archibald then cross-examined Mr..
Deavitt at some length upon the first
time he had had the matter under con-
sideration with MI Gates covering the
summer of 1918 in an effort to have Mr..
I Deavitt state a specific date. but the
witness would not without referring to
some records. Changing his attitude Mr..
Archibald then started on his fishing
trip that brought an abundance of infor-
nation, but little testimony. He inquired
lif Mr.. Dcavtt visited James T.. Wilbur
at Manchester. which was replied to, in
the affirmative. Leaving this Mr.. Archi-
bald went again to the $ll,30j57 item
showing how Mr.. Deavitt had arrived at
that and the different balances against
Mr.. Graham between 1908 and 1917.
Then Mr.. Archibald returned to the
fishing trip. He inquired if Mr.. Deavitt
had visited Gov Smith and Mr.. Proctor.
Mr.. Deavitt replied that he did not see
Mr., Proctor. Mr.. Archibald inquired If
he went TO Proctor, to which Mr.. Deavitt
replied that he did and that he saw Mr..
Partridge and at this time told of meeting
Mr.. Wilbur at Manchester. He was ask
ed If he requested any money of them
and replied in the negative that he ask
ed about "a loan for Gov. Graham. lie
was asked if in these conversations he
did not refer to saving the good name
Of the State or of the governor. He re-
piled he did not think so. Relative to
his talk with each man he gave the
same reply. Deavtt was then asked if
he did not make similar statements to
Mr.. Emery concerning the good name
of the State. etc. He said he did not re-
member any such comment, but if Mr..
Emery should state that he did say that
probably he did. but he did not recall
| it.
| The witness was asked if when he met
Mr.. Barber on the way to Brattleboro
one day if he did not tell Mr.. Barber
he ought not to stir this thing up
or words to that effect. The witness
replied in the negative. but said he would
J tell what Mr.. Barber said. This the
! State did not want. evidently.
! Mr. Archibald then shifted to the State
treasurer's affairs. but soon swung back
] 10 Mr. Durham and Mr.. IIartness in-
quirng if the good name of the State
/ l,;s,
with those gentlemen. The witness said
/ il was not and that to the men he ex-
pained he was negotiating a loan for
Governor Graham The witness was then
asked If he did not attend conference
with Messrs. Clement. Gates, Scott and
/ Stone at the Hotel Vermont. He said he
! did not recall attending any conference
| but those men might nave been having
a conference there. This was supposed
| to be in September, 1918.
| Mr. Deavitt on redirect testimony then
explained about the bill presented to the
| Legislature in 1915 for amounts owed him,
/ but which upon advise of Governor Gates
and sherman Il. Moulton it was with
/ drawn.
MORNING SESSION
! During the morning session Franklin
. :. Pratt Of Brattleboro was on the wit
ness stand most of the time He read
| figures into the record of the court and
! then testified about the division of the
accounts as of April 80, 1913. so as to
get these counts within the time of the
statute of limitation.
| File 4501 which relates to the Green's
boro Gulf jobs was taken under consider
alton. Mr.. Pratt explained the account
! filed shows papers that were not sworn
| to and were evidently inserted in the
/ files later, These he claimed To be
/ accounted for twice. He was unable to
! find any order for $l2O.79 connected with
this job and inferred that Mr.. Graham
paid the account out of his own pocket
The witness could find no trace of the
items Of 100 and Sl,SO0 Mr.. Pratt
claimed the overdraft on that job was
$5Gi.sS
The witness was cross-cXamined as to
figures showing that of the disputed sums
of money are allowed the balance would
be in favor of Mr.. Graham as follows:
questioned account ...............$ 100 N
Questioned account ............ 25OO(
Questioned account .........,...... 5.3iS3-
'otal '''''''''',,........,...,S ,69S 81
Amount claimed by State ...... S27 DOL AZ
questioned Greensboro account. 56i 9s
s2G,4365 IS
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