The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-05-25
DefalcatiOn OF the Postmaster of New
York.

WASHINGTON, May l4-When Post
master Holt reached here two weeks ago,
he had his attention directed to Postmaster
Fowler and ordered an investigation. Ow-
ing to Mr.. Fowler's absence at Charleston,
it was found impossible to obtain the neces-
sary statements, and it was only by the
most peremptory acquisitions that they
were procured after his return, and then but
partially and at intervals for some reason
or other, yet to be explained. No salts
factory statement of their accounts could be
procured from the Offices of DR.. Tate, sixth
auditor of the treasury, where they were
adjusted until Friday last and finally, upon
the personal and absolute demand OF the
Postmaster General. it was found then
that Mr.. Fowler was in arrears over $780,
600. 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 com.
municate what it knows. The law emphat
ically requires the sixth auditor to report to
the Postmaster General whenever Post,
master defaults in payment of bis balances
on closing bis accounts. No report of any
kind was made 10 this case, and Mr.. FOw-
Ter has been allowed to 60 on for many
months as if his Office was correctly con-
Quoted This extraordinary development
will form a source of immediate inquiry in
Congress when Mr.. Holt detected this
defalcation to his own satisfaction. On
Friday he submitted the matter to the Pres
ident and required Mr.. Fowler's immediate
removal.
LATER-Further Investigations to night
show Mr.. Fowlers defalcation to be $l75,.
600. The fact of serious default in bis
accounts must have been known to some re-
sponsible person in the Auditors Office long
ago, and the inquiry will now be directed
there. Some of Mr.. Fowler's friends ten.
dered the default ascertained up to Satur>
day, but Mr.. Holt said it was too late and
would be compromising felony. 1t is con-
fdently stated that a fund was raised to get
him out of the country, and he has gone.
He admitted having used part of the mo-
ney, but charged subordinates with the
main loss, while acknowledging bis own re-
sponsibility for the whole.
New York, May l5.-Judge Hellyer,
Solicitor to the Treasury department, is in
town, with the U. S. District Attorney
Roosevelt, preparing the necessary papers to
recover the deficiency from the bondsmen,
and 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 spent in 1856, to
carry the State of Pennsylvania for Blu
chaDan. He was then, and has been since,
liberal to fault in his political contrbu.
tions- 1t was under bis patroage, and in his
rooms, that the celebrated New York hotel
meeting was held, at which an immense fund
was raised, just previous to the Presidential
election, and Mr.. Fowler was among the
most liberal. He was but few years ago
reputed to be worth $l50,OOO, all of which,
it is stated, that if Mr.. Fowler had made
the matter known to bis personal friends,
they would have raised the amount for him
in few DAYS. One man would have given
$4,000. Various rumors we're ahoat last
night, that Mr.. Fowler had committed sui.
eide, but as far as we were able to learn,
they were without foundation, His person.
al friends think it is about as we'll that be
has escaped arrest, as bad be been taken in.
to custody, he would beyond doubt have
committed suicide.