Year: 1872

HOW 1T WAS POSSIBLE TO STEAL S20,OO0,0O0-
TRADEs1EN, ARTISANS, AND OTHERS NOR
ALLY AS GUILTY AS TWEED AND WOODWARD.
The evidence before the Grand Jury is not,
Of course, yet open public inspection, nor will IL be IN
all it's details for months to come. Some of the facts
brought have already been published and there are
others which told without violation of pledges
Of secrecy OF confidence and which 1t Is perfectly
proper tho public know. In illustrating some OF
the strange revelations OF the Juryroom, 1t will be
necessary to introduce imaginary of fraud but
they In every respect parallel TO the real cases
developed.


1t was singular fact concerning almost every inquiry
into special acts of fraud that the central figure the
criminal transaction wasJames Watson, the dead County
Auditor. No matter what case was taken up, what
ira esnep testified the tracing OF the crime ultimately
led to James Watson The members Of the jury finally
came to consider him the greatest scoundre Instead Of
tho most subservent tool OF tho Ring; and much OF
their gnation during the sessions expended upon
h-possbly because the rogue against whom the most
positive testimony could be had was beyond their jurfs
dction. One of the Jurors most eager IN the long
continued investigation believes WatsOn to have been
the provooaton of more hard swearing of witnesses and
urors than any single individual who ever committed
an ofense. 10 was established that when Watson first


made his appearance In this city, and the affections
of Tweed and Connolly, he was in irons on charge OF
forgery for which crime he paid no penalty except to
become the confederate and associate OF the Ring ROgues


Tho various methods OF swindling devised by Watson
we're certainly bold II not ingenious One manner, as
proved before tho jury, follows: city official,
In some capacity about tie County Courthouse,
being authorized to purchase supplies would 90 TO some
nSse" %ake with HIM would saying
can give you good job for the city," Honest art
sans OF experience always ask, am TO go TO the city
treasury for my pay 7" The general reply was, No


finish the work. will direct where to deliver it and
pay your bill" The artisan would deliver, directed,
to he city armories drrooms and Courthouse, well
IA at the residences OF city officials and their
friends and always received his promptly in green
backs from the official who ordered the goods. Then vOuch
ers were forged, warrants for fabulous amounts
drawn the name Of tie artisan forged indorse-
nent and that OF the contracting official ndorsed the
uersOn drawing the money. Tue vouchers Qf any
eystcdl found. How the signatures OF the
Mayor and Controller these warrants were obtained Is
Rtil "a Inystery TO the jury.


Another method was for an Official buy largely OF
supplies for the city, delay payment until the creditor
was weared in his efforts TO obtain his money, and then
some one in about the Controllers Office would kindly
suggest chat he make out blank assignment and he
wonld get his paw In this way fictitious name would
Inc filed in as assignee and the indOrsed the
warrants and the money would be drawn by the pre-
tended assignee identified at the bank by an officer from
thn Controllers Office or by the artisan himself
Nor was this the most fragrant method OF doing tho
buspess of good standing are proven 10 have made
CITY or county The warrants thus obtained were in
every instance ndOrsed fraudulenty Others who have
furnished small quantities have made vouchers fof large
amounts Others-and honest men, tOo-haye entered
vouchers lust claims been paid In greenD8cks by the
County Auditor signing vouchers which they had not
examined and ndOrsng warrants whose race they were
never permitted 70 see. These facts, legally estab


shcd have long been suspected and warrant the state
ment of the Grand Jury that al least have been
stolen