Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1860-05-16
FROM WASHINGTON.

When Postmaster Holt reached here two
weeks ago he had his attention directed to
the affairs Of Postmaster Fowler, and or
dered an investigation. Owing TO Mr..
Fowler's absence at Charleston it was
found impossible to obtain the necessary
statements, and it was only by the most
peremptory acquisitions, that they were
procured after his return, and then but par
TALLY and at intervals.
For some reason or other, yet to be ex-
planned, no satisfactory statement Of these
accounts could be procured from the office
of Dr. Tate, 9th Auditor of the Treasury,
where they are adjusten, until Friday last,
and finally upon the personal and absolute
demand of the p. NJ. General, it was then
found that Mr. Fowler Was in arrears over
sl50,0OO.
How far this defalcation may be traced
back is not yet known positively, because
the information is still imperfect and the
Department is disinclined to communicate
what it knows.
The law emphatically requires the 9th
Auditor to report to the Postmaster Gene
raj henever a Postmaster defaults in the
payment of his balances on closing his ac-
count. No report Of any kind was made
in this case, and Dir. Fowler has been al
allowed TO go along many months, as if
his Office was correctly conducted.
This extraordinary development will
cause an immediate inquiry in Congress.
When Mr.. Holt detected this defalcation
to his satisfaction on Friday, he submitted
the matter 20 the President and required
his immediate removal.
LArEn-Further investigations to night
show Mr.. Fowler's defalcation to be Sl75,
600. The fact of a serious arrangement
in his accounts must have been known 10
some responsible person in the Auditors
Office long ago, and the inquiry will now
be directed there.
Some of Mr.. FoWler's friends rendered
the deficits ascerained up to Saturday,
but Mr.. Holt said it was too late and would
1 Ot thS AcAChJ
1t is confidently stated that fund was
being raised to get him out of the country
and he has gone.
He admitted having used part of the
money, but charged subordinates with the
main loss, while conceding his own re-
sponsibility for the whole.
| NEW YORK, May Is.
Judge Hillyer. solicitor to the Treasury
Department is in town with the U S Dist
riot Attorney Roosevelt, preparing the
necessary papers to recover the deficiency
from the bondsmen aud the estate of Mr..
Fowler; how much the latter will yield is
not known.
1t is said however and generally believed
that great portion Of it was spentin 1856
10 carry the State of Pennsylvania for Buc
hanan; he was then and las been since
liberal to fault in the political contribu-
tons.
1t was under his patronage aud in his
rooms that the celebrated New York Hotel
meeting was held, at which an immense
fund was raised just previous to the Presi-
Dental election, and Mr.. Fowler was
among the most liberal; he was but few
years ago reported TO be worth Sl5O.OO0.
1t is stated that if Mr.. Fowler had made
the matter known 20 his personal friends,
they would have raised the amount for
him in a few days; one man would have
given $4,000.
| Various rumors were afloat last night
that Mr.. Fowler had committed suicide,
but as FAR as we were able to learn they
were without foundation.
| HIS personal friends think it is about a.
well tba. he has escaped arrest, az had he
been taken into custody he would beyond
doubt have committed suicide.