The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-02-04
BARBER MAKES FIRST
ARGUMENT IN GRAHAM
CASE THIS MORNING

urer Deavitt as "mousing around the au;.
ditor's office in rubber soles trying to get
into an argument over 81 100 item with
Auditor Gates" He referred to the re-
spondent's counsel as the cream of the
Vermont bar
Answering the respondents argument
that he believed he had right to take
state money beyond his salary and ex-
penses, Mr. Barber said: when Mr..
Graham so stated he was stultifying his
own intelligence under the guiding hand
of three of the ablest attorneys, who saw
no other alternative.
He drew attention to the states evil
dence that auditors orders had been de-
posted in the private account OF the re-
spondent in a Newport bank and that ne
had drawn check on that bank to pay
a note in Hyde Park bank of which Car
roll S. Page is president. With pre-
tended innocence" said Mr.. Barber, "the
respondent would ask you to believe he
had right to do this"
Rufus f. Brown of Burlington began at
ll.3O the first argument for defense.
Sometimes prosecutions start from poll
ties, sometimes from other motives,
said Mr. Brown in opening.
The cross examination of Mr.. Gra-
ham continued in the afternoon session
yesterday.
After asking the question If the
witness thought he had the lawful right
| to draw money in the manner he did
and received the expected affirmative
reply, the attorney general picking up
q copy of the Public Statutes asked
the witness to point out therein the
section that gave him that authority
| The heavy bound laws of the state was
! handed to the witness, who, turning to
section $50 said that was the only one
he had in mind.
'Do you consider that law gave
you authority to draw moneys as yor
did and employ them for your own per
sonal use?''
"Not entirely alone, was the re
ply
Mr. Graham was asked about let
ter that appeared in the newspapers II
which he stated that 'he was sorry
for doing wrong and asked for
suspension of judgment. The witness
was questioned if that was the exac
expression. A bound file of newspa
pers was produced and the letter point
ed out being identified as one which
the witness had authorized. 1t was reat
into the records.
The witness s attention was thel
, called to certain orders drawn to M
B. johnson as they appeared on tn
, auditor S books ON the highway accoun
of Orleans county. Regarding an orde
for 81 500 which Mr. Archibald deeme
was twice paid by the state, Mr.. Ora
ham said about the mistake: 4 SUI
pose the boys were keeping the book
n and they knew what they were doing.
"Do you trust your financial attain
:. to the boys?"
"No. -
Witness did not know why ordel
/ No. 11,432 and No II ,433, one made
2, Mr.. Graham and the other to Mr.. Johl
e son, appeared in exhibit go, an
) made no examination to ascertain
n they appeared correctly or not. II
It witness said he had not been near II
W books on the advice of counsel.
Regarding the $1,000 highway lte
i witness said it was part of an advan
- of $4,000 he made to Mr.. Bates of t
highway department and having ne'
for funds he drew an order for 81 ,2o
This occurred in the spring of 19l
The checks were produced, one for S
(Continued on Page 81