Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-01-30
The DefaIcation Of Mr.. McNuliy, chief
Clerk of the House Of Representatives
INF

We give below, from various sources, succinct
account as near as it can at present be ascerained
of the defalcaon of Mr. McNulty, chief CLERK of the
House Of Representatives. 1t would seem, from all
statements, official and unofficial, as can
judge that this dealcaon has been occasoned by the
leaning, by Mr. McNulty, of the funds committed 10
him in trust, to of his personal friends. This
is the most favorable conclusion that be drawn,
though it possible that his grossly immoral habits
may Lave led him to appropriate or less of the
deficit sum to his own use This question Will be
tried by the Courts. The law applicable to the case
we believe is that part of the old Sub Treasury law
which the Wing Congress of 1871 permitted to remain
in force when they repealed all the rest Of that act
Under that law, even to loan the government money
was punishable by confinement in the penitentiary.
The three first clerks If the House were, in sue
cesson, defaulters, viz Mr.. Becky, Mr.. Magrauden
and Mr.. Dougherty. The three next,-Mr. Clarke,
Mr.. Franklin. Mr.. Garland, snd Mr.. Clarke again,
settled their accounts without the loss of the
Government though the fund disbursed by them some-
times amounted to quarter of a million year.
Correspondence Of the n Y Nesrs, Jan. To-
Mr. Huneerford, Of New York, Chairman of the Com.
mee ths expenditures of the House. has instituted
an examination, was his Duty into Mr. McNuliys ac-
counts II appears that the contingent fund amounts TO
some S250,oO0, from which the Clerk draws sums Of
$20,O00 the money required. This he places in
Bank and pays the public creditors by checks, which at
fOrds of certain detection IN OF fraud
bezzIemen In The course Of his examination, Mr. Hung
erford found many OF Mr.. McNuys checks payable 10
his ORDER further prosecution Of the inquiry es
tablished the fact that there defalcaton Mr. Me-
Nuiy was called 10 account by the committee and am
informed good authority that he admitted he had lent
SO 900 person in Ohio, and 80 900 TO in your
city The $4,000 story not believed and rumor
that the defalcation amounts To $40O 900 or $5OOOO. Mr.
i
and that his books have into disorder but that lew
days will everything adjusted lie has certainly been
leading life OF dissipation and Is his boon companions
only who make this premise OF settlement regret TO
say that his dissipation has continued under his
present circumstances.
The committee it is said allowed him until last night
things right, aud their indulgence extended
this evening. But two days ago he lost $4,000, with
Mr. Banks, at ten pins such madness in betting such
is perhaps unparalleled but the parties were in
toxicated they have been for days OF
however, the money not paid, but il led 10 harsh
words and the prospect of duel.
Correspondence Of the Journal Of Commerce, Jan. H.
As the House met, to-day, the Committee on
Accounts made report the condition of the Contin-
gent Fund of the House. They say that it appears
that the time MIR McNuliy appointed Clerk there
in The Treasury expended oil The contingent fund
Of the House. S155 900; $75 900 appropriated
for purpose ny the Act Of last session, and $4,000
received from the late Clerk, DIR ST. Clair Carke ma
king in all the OF S232 ,U00 Taking the amount of
expenditures made up the Clerks Office correct,
hOug il certain that all the therein charged
have been padO it appears that he has discussed in the
year ending December l, 1874 the of $4,000,
which would leave balance al that time unexPended OF
S60,O00
The committee are informed that, by acquisitions
from the Clerk, the whole amount of S2 900 has been
drawn from the Treasury and, upon inquiry at the Pairi-
oc Bank where the Clerk, according 10 law, has kept
his deposite Of the public money, the committee learn
that there is balance to his credit of about $4,000,
which the Cashier has been notified to retain This sum
deducted from the balance Of 00O leaves
deficiency Of 47 600, which may be still further reduc-
ed by the OF 81 500 which the committee think will
all the payments made by the Clerk since the com
Of the that the actual de-
ciency nearly be ascetained, amounts TO 44
500 of which $50 900 secured by the official bond of
the Clerk but for the balance of 500, the Govern
ment has security except the personal responsibility of
the Clerk
ain tracing the disposition of these funds, the commit
have learned that, AT different times since the month
of June last the Clerk has advanced to Dr. Z. j. Wood
ward, produce dealer in Mount Vernon. Ohio the sum
Of $50 900; So 600 paid Levi d. Slamm, Of New
York, and about 81 $50 Thomas Noodle, Cashier of
the Savings Institute, Columbus, Ohio. Whether the
sums thus transferred by the Clerk loaned to the
individuals named, embarked in his speculaons,
the committee able determine but It obvi
ousy an improper disposition Of the public money, and,
unless explained amounts embezzlement, as defined
in the I'd section of the act of Congress- approved Au
gust IS4l
Such official misconduct accompanied by a stubborn
refusal his part make the xpanaions demanded by
committee of the House, requires that he should be dealt
with in summary manner, as we'll that the House may
vindIcate lis character for warning to others
that nfdeIy the part of the public officer will always
be promptly rebuked by the Representatives OF the people,
The recommend the adoption of the follow
ing resolutions:
! l. Resolved, That Caleb j. McNulty be and he is
hereby dismissed from the Office of Clerk of this House.
2. Resolved That the Secretary Of the Treasury be
directed institute forthwith the necessary legal proceed
iugs ascertain and the balance OF the public
money due from Caleb J. McNuy Clerk of the House
of Representatives.
g. Resolved, That the President of the United States
be directed criminal prosecutions to be commenc
ed against Caleb j. McEulty late Clerk of this House, for
advising knowingly and willingly participating in such
embezzement according the provisions Of the act Of
Congress- approved August Is, 164l."
| Mr. Weller presented 10 the House letter written
three days since by Secor & Co., of New York, TO the
Clerk stating the of money in their hands subject
to hs draft. Mr.. w. referred deposited by the
Clerk elsewhere and said he made these statements to
show that the Government and the country would not IN
ay case lose by tins affair single dollar Whatever
might have been the conduct Of the Clerk, no ultimate
loss would be sustained.
On motion Of Mr. Cave Johnson, it was ordered, after
debate its proPriey that the Speaker issue hrs
The Clerk and bring him before the
House.
The Arms retired 10 the order, and
in the time, the House went on with other busI-
ness.
The Clerk was brought the hall by the Sergeant
at Arms and took his official seat.
The Speaker addressed him and informed him OF the
proceedings in relation him. and directed the charges
i as preferred by the Committee TO be read to him.
I Time then offered the Clerk explain
the charges, but he said he was ready now.
i The Clerk then rose and addressed the House.
He declared that he had himself used dollar of
the public funds neither had he loaned dollar Of that
fund to any one; had he made any other disposition
oft which the law did not authorize and justify.
As for attending the committee, he stated
that he had informed the committee that his accounting
clerk absent from the city, who had all the money
in his hands, bat that he would return IN few