New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-06-15
THE FOWLER DEFALCATIoN.

The report of the Postmaster General on the
Fowler defalcaton, in answer to the call upon him
by the House of Representatives, shows clearly
what we had already presumed, that only by most
culpable negligence, if not completely at Washing
ton was that delalcation suffered to 90 on accumu-
lating from quarter to quarter, and to reach so
heavy an amount. So long ago as the close of the
year 1856, the accounts of Mr. Fowler as rendered
ut the Sixth Auditors Office, showed a deficit of
Sc, 9S5. This was increased at the close of the
next quarter to 81, 667. BY the middle of
1857 it had reached the amount of $685. On
the eth of August delusve settlement was made
by which this deficit appeared to be canceled-the
receipts of the week ending with that date being
appropriated for this purpose, instead of being
deposited as they should have been, in the Sub
Treasury, to the credit of the current quarter
Mr.. Fowler appears to have been stimulated by
the indulgence thus shown him to still holder opera
TONS In the course of the next quarter, $40, 974
were added to the deficit, which, by the Both of
September, 1853, amounted to $75,579. On the
18th Of November following, another delusve set.
Element took place, the receipts for the current
quarter up to that time being employed to balance
the old account. The Sixth Auditor, whose books
show concusiyely this gradually accumulating de-
felt on the part of Mr. Fowler, alleges that this
settlement was made by direction of the then
Postmaster General, now deceased but there
is no evidence of this fact, beyond his bare
assertion. However, it is not improbable.
Whatever communications on the subject of Mr.
Eou,lar,a dafcionciaa tha Sixth Auditor ,,ay b.,o
made TO the late Postmaster-General, he made
none to the present Pastmasier-General, who took
the control of affairs in March, 1852 by the end of
which month the deficit amounted to S93,93S.
The law expressly requires that the Sixth Auditor
" shall promptly report to the Postmaster-General
" all denquencies of Postmasters in paying over
" the proceeds of their Offices" but no communca-
ton on the subject was made by the Sixth Auditor,
though with every quarterly account the deficit
went on increasing, settlements being only made BY
appropratng the receipts of the running quarter
to meet the deficit of the quarter preceding
This process would have gone on till the deficit
exceeded a whole quarters receipts, had not the
Postmaster General been led, about the end of
April, to make inquiries at the Auditors Office into
the state Of Mr.. Fowlers accounts, and finding
that no accounts had been rendered for the quarter
ending with March 81, Mr.. Fowler was required
to render them Immediately. Along with these
accounts, which showed deficiency of Sl55,554,
he sent confidential letters, addressed to the First
Assistant Postmaster General, confessing delal-
cation and asking indulgence to meet it by the sale
of property and borrowed money. Hence orig-
mated his removal and the other steps taken
against him.
Nor was the Sixth Auditor the only officer who
must have known the fact Of Mr.. Fowlers def.
ciencies. The Postmaster Of NewYOrk is required