The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-02-03
Found That Ex-Gov. Gra-
ham Gave Johnson More
Checks than Credited
CROSS-EXAMINATION
Is COMMENCED
Graham Admits He Used States
Money for His Personal Advantage
Asked Why He Stopped at $4,000
-Deavitt On Stand.
Especial to The Reformer.
MONTPELIER, Feb. 8

Especial to The Reformer.)
MONTPELIER, Feb. 3.
The cancelled checks in the Greens
boro Gulf road matter, 90 in number,
were produced by exGov. Horace F.
Graham when his direct testimony was
resumed at 1915 this morning in the
Graham trial. These checks were given
by Mr. Graham some half dozen years
ago to Martin B. johnson of Crafts
bury, who built the road. Mr.. johnson
testified he preferred them to state
orders as they facilitated his banking.
Counsel for the state, who had asked
for the checks last week on the grounds
they were better evidence than Mr..
Johnson IS book account, found that the
ex governor had given Mr.. johnson a
check for 5000 more than Mr.. johnson
had given him credit on his books. The
checks drawn by Mr.. Graham on the
Newport and Bethel banks from April.
1915, the time the account was closed
he said, represented period when $50 :
900 worth of orders were drawn and
these checks aggregated $4,000, in
cluding $4,000 paid to Mr.. Bates. state
| highway commissioner. All were paid
| out in the interests of the state, he
said.
Ex-State Treasurer Deavitt was the
| first witness called this morning, testi-
| flying that he had been endeavoring to
ascertain the balance against Mr.. Gra-
ham from May, 1918, to August "a.
At the time no claim was made of
a balance against Mr.. Graham prior to
1906 he said. The first figures he re-
| ceived showed balance against Mr..
Graham of 17,078.43. After corree-
tions and additions it was $19, 9,S80.4s
and the arrearages from July / 1912 to
JAN, 1917, $11105.07. Asked about
missing vouchers witness said he knew
some chad been out of the Office
The cross-ex examination of Mr.. Ora
ham was begun at Il, conducted by Mr.
Archibald. Witness thought he had g
right to draw orders regardless of sal
ary and expenses on the funds of de
partments. ''Beyond salary and ex
/ penses of the office, did you considel
you had right to draw beyond thai
amount? was asked.
eyes, provided I had calls from 9th
er departments
"What calls did you have you coult
not give an order for?'
"Not any, suppose"
The oath of state auditor was intro
+, duced and read. Witness said he kney
he was owing balance to the state il
1906
"You used the money to your owl
personal advantage" was asked.
: ''Probably.'
( fsAny doubt about it?'
ono, sir"
The witness said he placed the none
, J. in personal accounts and the account o
! Graham and Skinner and thought b
: had the right to use this money unit
he had made an accounting and settle
2 ment.
j "Why did you stop at $19,000?"
''I thought l ought not to take an
more money than / could account for.
J, eff you had a right to take $19,0C
'e would you not have the right to tai
ten times that amount?" asked NJ
Archibald.
"That might be true" replied IL
witness.
Witness said Mr.. Deavitt, had gol
about the state seeking a loan for hi,
. secured by mortgage on his re
= estate. He did not suggest to Mr.. De
y Witt whom he should see.