New-York tribune., 1871-09-14
GAMBLING WITH THE PUBLIC FUNDS

GAMBLING WITH THE PUBLIC FUNDS.
Two fragrant cases of breach of trust have
lust been made public to shock general conf
dcnce in human nature and further demoral-
| ize the popular sense of official integrity. 1t
is found that John w. Norton, Assistant
| Postmaster in this city, has embezzled from
| the public funds to which he has access some
$4,000. From Washington we hear that
COL Hodges, U. S. Paymaster, is de-
faulter to the amount of about half
million. Both of these men have
acknowledged their guilt, and plead, in pallia-
ton, that they used the money in unfortunate
stock operations, which leaves the impression
that they would not have been defaulters if
their ventures had been fortunate. Of course;
no man takes his employers money to the
gambling table without an expectation of
replacing it Immediately. He plays tonight
with "bOrrOwed" money from his masters
till that he may pay tomorrow from the gains
which he confidently expects. Both of these
defaulters, if we use no harsher epithet, stood
well in the confidence Of their associates and
EMPLOYERS; both were men of mature age, and
both had been for long time in the employ
ment of the Government. Confidence, posi-
ton, and reputation are thrown away on
rash venture at the Stock Board. These
men had no right to gamble with
the money of the Government; but,
seized by the fatal madness which sometimes
besets even noble minds, they were so blinded
to every sentiment of decency and honor that
they betrayed their trusts, and so lost all.
Their fate should be warning to men who
have prOclivities toward the fatal maestrOm
which has engulfed so many. Men who have
in their charge the money of Others should
especially pray to be delivered from this ter
rible temptation. 1t is syren that charms
but to ruin.
Compared with the mighty frauds with which
the people of New-York are now struggling,
these last may seem almost petty; but We
must Indignantly ask what sort of govern.
mental system is this which makes it possible
for public officer to carry on his depreda-
tions upon the Treasury for years without de-
lection. Paymaster Hodges has long been
stationed at Washington, undisturbed in his
operations, until he had spent half million
dollars in the vain and desperate en-
deavor to "get even" at the losing
game in which he had ventured. The Assist
nt-POstmaster has been at his business of
embezzlement undisturbed for two years.
There is something radically wrong in the
plan of checks and balances where such long
immunity in crime is possible. We cannot
escape having weak or dishonest men some.
times, in places of pecuniary trust we ought
to have such q system of checks and counter
checks as should bring them to much speedier
exposure. We have already long and wordy
discussion between the Pay Department and the
Treasury Department as to which is response
BILE for not having earlier detected Hodgess
lefalcation. We have no immediate interest
in the dispute beyond an earnest desire that
the discovery of this great leak may furnish
the means to prevent similar losses hereafter.
Long sermons on the evils of stock. k.gambling
are not now 80 much in order as q sure inven-
tlon for the detection Of dishonest Govern
ment employees short Of years Of continuous.
undisturbed embezzlemeht