The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-02-04
GRAHAM DENIES
He ADMITTED
WRONG DOING
Followed Practice in Handling
State Funds
DEFENCE RESTS ITS CASE
Former Governor Stands GrilIlng
Cross Examination Without
Waver.no

Montpelier, Feb. 3.-All the evi-
dence is completed and the argu-
ments will be started at the opening
of court tomorrow morning in the
care of state aga nst ex-Gov. Horace
F Graham in which the prosecut on
alleges the larceny and embezzlement
of $4,000 OF the states funds. At
1850 o'clock this afternoon, after the
espondent had undergone grill ng
cross-examina. ion of over two hours
at the hands of Attorney General
Frank c. Archibald, the defense
rested.
The arguments will be completed
tomorrow and 1t now seems probable
that the jury will get the case Thurs
day morning. After the defense
rested, the state not fled the court
that with the exception Of possibly
one or two Guest ons from one wit
ness egard ng letter there would be
no rebutta. 1t Is expected that the
opening argument will be made by
former Attorney General Herbert G..
Barber who has been assist ng in the
prosecution Of the case, he having
originally prepared and presented tha
case to the grand jury.
Gov Graham on the stand today
did not waiver from his o ig nal con-
tention made public in the letter in
VIII ch he asked the people to re-
fra n from judgment unit they had
learned the entire facts wa7 read to
the Jury Gov. Graham said he had
never admitted do ng any wrong and
the letter was introduced to dis
prove this fact, this statement being
included, Il realize / did wrong in the
manner OF handling my salary and the
official expenses and TO this am ex-
tremely sorry"
! In explain ng why he did as he did
W tn the states money. Gov. Graham
said he acted under the pubic sta
tutes and he told Of advancements to
var Gus departments. being question
ed at considerable length concerning
the check of $500 in the highway
account.
When questioned about receiving
4 this money twice. Gov Graham said,
Il supposed the boys were keeping
the books and that thew knew what
said. do you mean to say that you
lot the boys run your fnanc al az
fairs" to which the witness answer
ed, NO"
Regarding the advancement Of mon
! G. to va GUS departments Attorney
Archiba d asked this question isn't
1t true, Mr. Graham that you never
advanced a single penny you didn't
have the money for?" "Oh, don't
think So" replied Mr. Graham
WAS there ever q tine when you
advanced any money when you didnt
owe more than the amount to tha
state?" Il tn nix so. The orders were
drawn about the tine the advances
were made
Can you specify any tine when
This occurred?" Not without look
ing 1t up"
On re-di ect exam nation, Gov. Gra-
ham testified that he was governed
in his administration CT the office by
the statutes and the custom rs prac-
ltced before 1906 and 1908 An effort
by the defense to introduce the renort
of the leg slatye comm ttee of 1905
and 1908 was objected to by the state
and ruled out by the court.
Repeating on several Instances in
answer to QUESTIONS put by Attorney
General Archibald in cross exam ma
ton THAT thought l was doing
right' when he kept funds of the state
Of Vermont in excess of his sala v and
expense account. former Gov. Graham
this morning stood up wei under the
gri'l'ng interrogat ons as put by the
lprosecut ne officer Gov Graham
sa d that he thought he had the right
to keep the money regardless of the
money spent il he kent within the
appropr atipn TO the departm and
he arswe ed numerous questions as
ito the drawing of money from the
treasurer. 1t deye oped that he was
the only person aside from the treas
urer who could get funds from the
state Golfers.
did you consider that aside from
Iyour salary and expenses of the Office
you had the right to draw beyond this
amount" asked Alto ney General
Arch bald
Yes did, prov ded I had calls
from other departments
what call did you have in which
you could not gve an orde on the
state treasurer"
None, ] suppose"
He was questioned about the ex-
penses incurred on his Wis IS for the
purpose of inspecting county clerks
and probate courts and he said it
would he an easy matter to igu up
the actual expense in these trips and
thus coming to a proper balance be-
tween himself andd the state
"And now these balances VIII ch you
owed the state id you think you had
the right to keep these moneys?"
YES, id"
And these amounts running from
: 500 to $1,000 every year Did YOU
think you, under your oath Of Office
had right to keep and use this