The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-01-23
When State Puts on Treas
urer Scott to Prove Mon
ey Was Z T.nsferred
AND TO IDENTIFY
GRAFyM SIGNATURE
Each e3 rder Was Scruti-
.zed in Trial of
Graham

1 state treasurer Walter u. Scott was
placed on the stand in Washington
county court at Montpelier to-day to
prove that orders drawn by Horace r.
Graham while state auditor were paid
by the state treasurer. These orders
had been previously introduced as evil
dence by testimony Of the present state
auditor, Benjamin Gates, in the trial
of Graham on the charges Of embezzle-
ment and larceny. The defense con-
ceded that the orders were paid
| The state treasurer was the first
witness of the day, the interrupted ex-
animation of State Auditor Gates be-
ing still further suspended. There was
only one spectator in the court room
when the trial resumed at o'clock
Witness Scott was asked to identify
the signatures of Mr.. Graham on or
ders issued by the auditors office and
paid through the treasurer's Office from
Jan. s, 1915, TO Jan. 2, 1917. At this
| point the defense conceded the orders
were paid, Attorney Stickney stating
| that there was no objection by the de-
fense to the facts sought TO be proved
unless the state wished to take the
time.
Attorney Barber, for the state, said
that what he was trying to get at was
| that all the orders swerc paid. The
witness examined and compared each
order with Shis books to corroborate
dates Of payment.
Nothing Unusual in Orders.
On cross examination by Mr.. Stick
ney. State Treasurer Scott testified
that the orders are on the same form
and that there was nothing unusual in
the orders presented by Mr.. Graham.
Objection was made by the state. but
the question was allowed. Mr. Stick
ney explained that these orders were
shown to the jury by the state in an
effort to show theft, and he wanted to
show that there was nothing unusual
in the orders. Mr.. Stickney referred to
the great amount of ceremony that was
used in showing the orders TO the jury.
Witness testified there was nothing
that tended to provoke an investiga-
tion.
Relative to the 81 200 and 81 500 or
| ders, the witness testified that he had
made advances on the auditor to the
| highway department. Objection was
made by the state. but the court al
lowed the question to stand.
The report OF the state treasurer was
shown to the witness, and from it he
read about refund made by c. w. +
Gates OF $4,000 upon the auditors or /,
der previously drawn. Objection was
made but the answer was allowed.
Attorney Barber spent considerable
time explaining the law, TO which MIR.
Sticknev replied that il must be pc
culiar sort of mind that will twist
law so that a crime showing intent
would appear. and he went on to eX-
plain the attitude of the defense rela-
tive to the orders of the auditor and
highway department
Mr.. Barber explained that the high
way department was governed by a
different law. This was denied by the
defense and the state was challenged
to show statute governing this mat
ter. The court directed that the mat
ter be left out until the statutes could
be Investigated.
No application of the orders is shown
an the books. testified Treasurer Scott.
MIR. Barber inquired if it is not man
datory upon the treasurer to pay any
or all orders drawn by the auditor, and
the treasurer replied that he so under
stood it. Mr. Stickney then inquired
if the treasurer would not consider It
his duty to call TO other officials atten-
tion any order in which he Thought
there was any suspicion. Mr. Scott re-
piled that he would consider it the
treasurer's duty. Upon further inquiry
Mr.. Stiekney elected the statement
that Treasurer Scott had not seen any
thing suspicious in Mr.. Graham's or
ders.
Former State Treasurer Edward H.
Deavitt Of Montpelier was next called
TO the stand. and he testified relative
TO the business while he was state
treasurer.
Graham's Bank Balances.
After State Auditor Gates had I'm
ished describing the orders that were
drawn bv Mr.. Graham between 1912
and 1917, he was given rest and the
state placed the representatives OF
three banks on the stand to testify
Yesterday afternoon.
The first bank man to testify was
Harold Perkins. cashier of the National
White River bank Of Bethel, who told
Of the business which Mr.. Graham did
with his hank. He did not know Mr.
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