The New York herald., 1870-05-15
ROBBISG the PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
How n Clerk Robbed the Board Of Educa.
tion-He Betrays HimscIfAlnterestinsP Par.
In

How n Clerk ROBBED the Board Of Educa.
tiOn-He Betrays HimseIfAInterestiug Par.
ticulRrs.
Several days ago. among the minor items Of city
news the HERALD stated the fact that clerk In the
employ Of the Board OF Education had been de-
tected In stealing books and other property; that he
was arrested ana committed to prison, default Of
$4,000 ball. to await the action OF the Grand Jury.
Since then the full particulars Of the case have been
ascertalned. which again prove The truth OF the old
saying that It is the opportunity which makes tho
thief, and that virtue and honesty should not be too
implicitly trusted until they had chance Of passing
uncontaminated through the opportunity Of being
otherwise
HIS NAME AND ANrEcEpENrs.
The name OF this clerk charged with grand lar
ceny Is julius F. Hennett. For many years he was
q resident Of the Nineteenth ward OF this CITY, and
quite active, not prominent. democratic p0lit-
clan among the Germa.s Of the ward. He was as
early 1854 and up to the discovery OF bis pecca-
dlloes, with the intermissi0n OF one or two years.
constantly the secretary OF the German democratic
ward organization, as II this position belonged to
him by a sort OF prescriptive right. He was, also,
for the year 1868, recording secretary OF the Ger
man Democratic General Committee, representing
the Germans OF the party over the whole
city. In these positions, 1t must be conceded,
he was laborous and prompt. and as kind OF po-
ltical runner" TO keep up agitation In certain
direction, ne could hardly have been surpassed. Be-
ing such character he soon w0rmed himself into
the confidence OF the more prominent leaders or the
party in the up town wards. Al one TIM, through
their influence, he was appointed visitor OF the
poor for bis ward, and whe Mr. WIN. II Gilman be-
came the Secretary OF the Board OF ucAtion, In the
spring OF 1860. Hennetr was an0 the frs who re-
celved q clerical appointment under him with the
approval OF the then new Board. He was placed as
an assistant property clerk, and rut Ia partial
a an % t1
Kept In the basement OF the building. corner Grand
and Elm streets.
that various items OF property on hand were steadily
growing less more rapidly than III y should accord
Ing 10 the recorded del veries TO tile ools. Inves
tgatious made IN secret revealed as to who
might he the guilty party. Hcnnett enjoying the ut
most confidence OF ms snparors. was never even
or the stolen property. The following brief state-
ment will show how he betrayed hniself:-
German, giving his name as Chail.s Adler his
residence in Harlem and his occupation as a BOOK
and sta ioaery peldler for CITY Wholesale houses
had been accuson ned to call upon MIR. O'BrIcn a.
booSse Ter IN Nassau street and 10 sell him various
lots OF books. such as are commonly d In schools
~ looking oyer one OF The last lot; he nal bought
@ 'IRa a% 81 Pa ss a ns ses
which fact aroused his sus icion. He called there
anu INQUIRED whether they dill not miss certain
books and showed tie memorandum he had found
They replied no; That the books were bound by them
and duly delivered TO he ioarL OF Education, and
u ,hey hld disappea 9 from there la properly the
leak must he there. Mr.. O'Bren thereupon coInmu-
Gated win Mr.. Timothy Brennan. one OF the School
Cohnis> >ioneis VINO at once called IN the aid OF
detective. Mr.. O'Bren was then advised that when
this Charles Adler" should call again TO get from
MN eilncr some receipt or mem randum In ms
handwriting. This 8 ratagem succeeded A Few
days later "Charcs Adler made ais appearance NJ
O'Brien's store, new bargain wa male and
Ad er was prevailed upon TO leave win O,brien
sample OF his caligraphy. THIS place In tlo
hands OF the officers or the board was
at once recognized, to the surprise Of ALL as Hen.
nets writing. Tie detective. o, arrestng him,
found other property OF the Board o reteo between
MS vest a ma under o hes. Wh,u to OF the charge
atainst nim Henaett confessed his guilt, and he is
now avail ing his trial which can oly end In con-
yic,inn Tie amount OF tn property stoen by him
'-lDantNf:rtcd 10 he iy $I.60 The wosst featng
of E case Il said he hat with his salary and ID
Dr.rce6s OF hts rubbertes he WIS IN the nabit
t1atng his family desitu G all IN want. Womenl
l60se character 1t Is alleged were at the bottom