The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-08 00:00:00

THE CITY OF LONDON UNION.

From the report of Mr. Morgan, the accountant ap-
pointed to examine the books of the City of London
Union, it appears that the defalcations of Paul, the
assistant clerk, so far as they have been ascertained
up to the present time, amount to 17,5241. In addi-
tion it has been found by the guardians that there is
scarcely an instance in which he has not committed
some fraud in connection with the accoents of the trades.
men and contractors by whom the union has been sup-
plied with goods. It is probable, therefore, as he bad
filled the same post for a great number of years, that the
totals now capable of being traced will very inadequately
represent the real amount of his delinquencies. One
feature belonging to this case equally character.
ised those of Robson and Redpath. While Mr.
Paul was intrusted with the disbursement of sums
amounting annually to many thousand pounds free from
the exercise of the slightest supervision his salary was
limited to 2001. a-year. He had formerly failed in the
corn trade, arid his habits were doubtless expensive.
Robson while indulging in the purchase of horses at
300 guineas each, was assumed to be working honestly
on a salary of 1501. ; and Redpatb, who has attained
middle age, and whose expenditure was proportionably
of a broader character, is stated to have received only
3001. With the fact in view that the classes engaged
directly in trade are making unprecedented profits, and
almostdoubling their scale of expenditure it was taken for
granted that these men pressed by the income tax and by
the rapid rise in prices, which, unlike persons in commerce,
they were deriving all the inconvenience and none of the
benefit, could be properly trusted to deal to an unlimited
extent with the property of others, and that there was no
necessity for those who enjoy the more tangible honours
and profits of public positions to trouble themselves by
exercising w..tchfulness. These circumstances offer no
palliation for the criminals, because they knew the terms
on which they had accepted their duties, and were bound
to exercise the greatest strictness in proportion to the con-
fidence reposed in them; but they, nevertheless, threw a
deep stain upon those whose want of discrimination and
self-indulgent laxity have rendered possible the results
now witnessed. Apart from every other consideration,
,they might have known that persons of active intellect and
bold address, fit for places of unrestricted trust, could
not, in the existing demand for such qualifications, have
been secured upon the terms accorded. Steady, scru-
pulous men might probably have been found, but such
people are not often the favourites of boards of directors,
and there is reason to apprehend there may be truth in
the supposition that in some cases the offenders in ques-
tion have been treated with an extraordinary degree of
deference on account of that very prodigality which
should have been accepted as a warning of their mis-
conduct. Perhaps it was surmised that the parties,
owing to advantages of position, were successful 'Teen-
lators, and it is even possible that the admiration and
envy with which they were accordingly regarded would
never have been dispelled had it not been found that
their operations were being conducted feloniously against
their patrons, instead of in an acute and quiet way at
the risk of other people.— Times.

l'lll MAILS.

SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's screw steam-
sbiy Alhambra, Captain J. K. Joy, left this afternoon,
with the usual Peninsular mails, 34 passengers, full
general cargo, and 20 bottles of quicksilver.
..4,nong the passengers were Captain Warden and
family, Lieutenants Hunton, ICllvert, Holmes, Morgan,
Shai p, Withers, Gubbins, Beste, Nesbit, and Mackenzie;
Ensigns Bassine and Stevenson.
The screw steam-ship Candle, belonging to the same
oompany, left this afternoon, under the command of
Captain Powell, in tow of the steam-ship Euxine, Cap-
tain John Weeks, for Liverpool, to be lengthened 40
feet. The alterations will be made by Mr. John Laird,
of Birkenhead.