The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-24
Alleged Dcfalcatsea I'm Philadelphia.
IARnR AnOUNr or MONEY UNACCOUNrED ZOE

Alleged Defalcatsea I'm Philadelphia.
LARGE AMOUNT or M0NKY UNACcoUHTxD yO1.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov II, 1864.
To the Editor Of the N American and U. s. Gasette-
SR]I viii thank you to publish the enclosed CORES
pondence on which have no comment 70 make, other
than to ask attention 70 it as matter assting public
credit and public justice ". .. REED.
JUxr 20, 1854
DEAR sR:-My attention has to-day been called OFF,
cay to the fact that Robert G. Simpson, late Treasurer
OF this county upon the 3lst of May 1904 indebted
to the Commonwealth in the sum OF $50, 7Ss so al OF
which should have bean paid on, and much OF ~ .0ng
before his retirement once in January last This
appears from the settlement Of his account died IN the
office OF the Of the Court of Common Pleas
paid but that very large balance yet remains unlqui
dated.
consider IT my duty to bring this matter regularly to
ysur attention, as matter OF criminal responsibility on
the part of this delinquent officer and TO say that
ready to proceed against him BY indictment whenever
evidence BY the detention Of this money in his hands
I am of opinion that he has clearly brought himself
within the responsibility imposed BY the 2ls 9th and
tion Ibeg direct your attention have every reason
to believe, from my knowledge of your high character
that you will sustain me in this effort to vndicate the
The Grand Jury is in session. and shall be ready
either Monday Wednesday next, Il it win be
venent for you, toattend to present bill for their
ton. will give notice, If on consultation, you and
should think it safe to do So
lam, very truly and respectfully, yours i, ,r,n
TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
HARRISBURG, July /, 1854
truly gratihed at the prompttude Of your course in
reference to the subject you aude to- Upon consulta
tion with Mr. Banks, we deem it advisable not to proceed
days from M notice Of s.ttemen has expired might
appeal for the mere purpose OF delay. (see Public
Sss w S ssn a:.s
promises n lii; :
Il. ia
in still better position have dislike TO use harsh
against any one, but there has certainly been
cupshls neglect Of duty in TIL. case is matter o.
Of the Commonwealth have not heretofore paid their
taxes at tho time designated the law and thereby
deiphis and Allegheny The abatement saved to your
county would amount to near $50 900; not small
lou. JOS ssi BAiLY, State Treasurer.
TO THE STATE TREASURER.
M DEAR S-I am in receipt of your letter Of the 1st
against Simpson, very much regret the decision, for
perfectly satisfied that such example would have
most sautary effect do not believe that the Com
monwealth would lose dollar of the money, and
that the influence Of so decisive would
# can be as think
that nearly all of one item Of arrears (S3S 900 for tav
ern licenses has been more than year in his hands
unless the accounting officers attend and furnish the
evidence. The period Of appeal win EXPIRE presume
early in August, when new term Of our court begins
and Grand Jury meets. Still cannot help hoping
that you win reconsider your decision and enable to
this week. The Grand Jury will continue In session
all this week most respectfully urge it. ,rrr
To the above Mr. Baiy replied stating that he agreed
fully with the District Attorney as to the moral effect
which would result from the prosecution of Simpson
After four other letters, Of officially technical and
somewhat personal nature had passed between the par
ties, Mr.. Baily writes
HARRIsBuRo, Aug. 90, 1854.
DEAR SIR-Yours Of the 22d is at hand. thank you
for the interest you take in the matter referred to- We
venues Of the from the counties Of Phila
delphiv and Allegheny than oil the rest Of the State
s % sr snancs aers When n
the city on the LIST, made an arrangement with Smp
and hsbai seser and Harris by which they agreed
$40, 000 in three months They have, by various ex.
cuses and evasions, delayed paying the $4,000 until
YESTERDAY am informed BY Mr.; Boxer this morning
paid by them since the settlement of the account
on the 3lst Of May As they have now complied with
August would prefer not proceeding against Simpson
at present. would have the appearance of breach
Of faith on my part think the great error in your
Sufficient security of the Treasurer. The penalty is
not sufficient, either. The amount OF Commemorative
yet the penalty in his bond is only $50, 900.
Very respectfully, your friend,
~,
Subsequent to this, six letters relating to
the exertions Of both gentlemen to preserve the purity
Of the corporate bodies and take care Of the city funds
sures throw some light the motives and causes infn
encing the affair
Hon. +. W. HUGHES, Attorney General Pennsylvania:-
DEAR SIR-Having learned that the prosecution Com
monwealth VS.. Robert G. Simpson and others, for en-
bezzlement &c. Is to be proceeded upon in the Crimi
nal Court Of Philadelphia next week. think it ad-
visabe to inform you that by judgment confessed by
the defendants and entered last Saturday in the Su-
preme Court Of Philadelphia, the money due the Com
is secured believe This being the case,
hereby suggest to you that you advise with Mr. Reed
tho District Attorney and after advising that you
will determine on such steps as are necessary to post
pone if think proper, the further prosecution Of
the matter until after the rst of February next If fur
then action should then be necessary.
Very respectfully yours,
+. BANKS, Auditor General,
JOS. BAILY, State Treasurer
TO F. W. HUGHES, ESQ, ATTORNEY GENERAL.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov Is, 1854
DEAR SrR-On my return from court this afternoon
received yours of this date enclosing copy of letter
the prosecution against Robert Simpson and others
for embezzlement Of the public money. l Immediately
sent messenger to your Office in Walnut street in order
to have personal interview with you. find however,
you win not be there till Monday.
The case is marked for trial Tuesday next the wit
PENDANTS and their counsel have every reason to sup
pose they viii be ready for trial. certainly will be-
No application for a continuance has been made and
none, as ! am aware Of, is contemplated.
My reasons for urging trial these: bill of in
dictment against Simpson, Christman and Seser charg
ing felonous embezzlement under the act Of 10th April
1S45, (Purdon p 303) to which beg your especial at
tention found 18th September 1854 1t found
the testimony of the State Treasurer the Chief Clerk
in the Auditor Generals Office and the President of the
Girard Bank, each Of whom testified to facts clear
ly establishing the guilt Of the defendants. They
admitted they had been specializing with the public
money, and were unable TO pay cent of what had
been embczzled. Warrants Immediately issued.
Chrstman and seiser arrested and heavy bail
for their appearance. am prepared to say there
apparent disposition their part to eude justice
Robert G. Simpson, the principal feon, Immediately fed
and has been secreted from the 18th September to the
18th November. Warrants have been in the hands Of
numerous officers and considerable expense incurred to
bring him to justice On Saturday last, as learned
from the State Treasurer, arrangement male by
which judgment for the amount due to the State
confessed and on Monday Simpson surrendered himself
To this arrangement was party and Of it entirely
disapproved 1t seemed to very like compromising
felony and have said and written to the state Trea
surer
Under these circumstances, believing do, that the
conviction OF deaulting public officer will be