Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-05-17
p, nnn,Icnrien.

TbSTRSane sos.,rul arsctsrilss,Iship
as tSsA d lAs NE po Pay ng
sslho A Gold b Il but
toture historians VII have Weighasf task
in recording the prominent events Of this day
lef-enbeasle.aenta ana-fsaua;--- the present
fearful rate Of iniqpitogs progress, the name
4 n ssbiio Dshocratic officials will ere long be
synonymous with the epithet of rascal, and
depths of inAmy win be reached even lower
thai hobe which now make US blush with
shame at the mention Of our deffauding Of
-hce-holders.
The New York Post oiEice defilcations have
opened another mine Of political theft Isaac
V. Fowler, the Postmaster, has fied from JUS
tee as deiaulter to the amount of SlT5, 600,
a portion Of the defalcation dating back as far
as 1856. Its shown that this deficit was known
70 the Administration frsm the outset, So long
as Fowler preserved his fcalty to the Admins
tration, the vague rumors about fraud and de-
hlcation were hushed, but when the defaulter
risked his all upon Douglas the blow was
struck, and the disgrace made known. Con-
oealment being no longer possible, an embas-
sador was sent TO Washington to solicit mer-
cy of the President The old gentleman, re-
jOicing in the double opportunity Of reeking
political vengeance, and exhibiting himself as
a pattern of purity, merely said, "Justice,
sir, must be done" The ambassador is said
to have telegraphed back, " The old rufaan
has not a drvP Of Hood left in bis heart
Mr.. Fowler has secreted himself, and is no
where to be found. BE was last seen upon
Sunday morning last. The reports that he
has committed suicide are unfounded.
The special Washington dispatch to the
Tribune, gives the following particulars:
About one month ago, it was discovered
that Mr.. Fowlers accounts for the quarter
ending the 3lst of December were not bal
snced, and that difference Of some $4,000
was found against him. Upon inquiry at
the Post Office Department il was stated by
the principal officials that his deposits aver
aged more than the usual receipts, and the
alleged adverse balance was only about one
weeks income, which would probably be
made up in the next statement. Mr.. Holt
was then absent, being called to Florida by
the alarming illess of bis wife. Mr.. Fowler
was summoned to Washington, and made
some explanation which seemed to satisfy the
Department ct that time.
The Herald reprimanded correspondent for
charging q defalcation, and defended Mr..
Fowler. The Tribune gave such facts as the
Department furnished, which, considering the
development now, were ignorantly or culpa-
bly, misrepresented. Every effort was GER
tainly made to cover up this transaction, and
10 relieve Mr.. Fowler from suspicion. Mr.. Holt
reached here over two weeks ago, and Or
dered an investigation. Owing to Mr.. Fow-
lerS absence at Charleston, it was found i'm
possible to obtain the necessary statements,
and it was only by the most peremptory re-
QUESTIONS that they were procured after his
return, and then but partially, and at inter
vals.
For some reason or other, yet to be ex-
plained, no satisfactory statements of these
accounts could be procured from the Office 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 thet Mr. Fowler was in arrears over
Sl55, 600. How far this defalcation may be
traced back is not yet known positively, be-
cause the information is still imperfect, and
the Department Is disinclined 10 communicate
what Is known. The law emphatically re-
quires the Sixth Auditor to report TO the Post
master General whenever q Postmaster is
dofault in payment of his balance on closing
bis accounts.
No report Of any kind was made in this
case, and Mr. Fowler has been allowed to 90
along for many months, as if his otfice was
correctly conducted. This extraordinary de-
Tslopment viii form source Of immediate
INQUIRY in Congress. t--
When Mr.. Holt detected this dehLlcation 70
his own satisfaction, on Friday, be submitted
the matter to the President and required Mr..
Fowlers immediate removal. A special
agent was sent that evening 10 New York to
take charge Of the office, and Mr.. 0fcutt,
Chief Clerk Of the Sixth Auditors Office,
went into personal examination Of the affairs.
The sum of $4,000 was found In the safe,
and reported 70 the Department Mr.. FoB-
ler's bond is for SIS, 900 in good securities
Under the Sub Treasury set be be isiable to
prosecution for felony and proceedings to
that effect have been authorized. His friends
pretend to excuse this crime, by accusing his
subordinates Of the extrayagant expenditure,
but forget that Ar. Fowler should have acted
on such knowledge, by their dismissal long
ago. There is too much reason to fear these
accusations are unworthy eIpedients 70 re-
lieve himself
Horatio King, First Assistant Postmaster
General, and Mr. HiIlyer, Solicitor Of the
Treasury, were SEM to New York with
warrant from the President, under the act Of
1920 to take the body and property Of Mr..
Fowler. What is most surprising in this
connection is the manner in which Mr.. FoW-
Ter deported himself at Charleston, after
partial disclosure which had been made be-
fore he left new York, and with certainty
that exposure must occur on his return. Il IS
reported that be made an attempt st suicide
on Saturday. No successor has yet been in-
dicated.