The New York herald., 1871-09-14
Mr. NOrt0n's Plum i'm the Post
Oaice-$l15,O0O Gone.
Something About the Defaulter, His Life
and Works.
The Chappaqua Philosopher Puts His Foot In
1t as Usual-Unce Sam Loses Nothing,
His Bondsmen Nothing, but
the Defaulter Much

the plague, Is epidemic. While the town is Occu-
pied with the rascalttes OF the ring, and greatly
moved with the reve ations in the public press OF
official corruption In this city, the press of the
try 0vera0ws with statements damaging to the re-
putatons Of conspicuous 0llce.holders and dis.
graceful to the nation.
We have to-day the unpleasant task upon us Of
describing the evil dOings OF federal official
prominence-One who was much trusted, and whose
gray head must now be bowed In sorrow. His pecu-
latons were known for some time, but 1t was not
thought desirable or necessary to publish them
While the investigation ordered by the government
was in progress. Now, however, that there Is
nothing to learn ana the property OF the guilty
party is In the hands Of those he has betrayed there
is no further necessity, ii, indeed, there ever was,
why
HIS DARK DEEDS
should be hidden from the light OF pubic view.
In the early part OF August it was whispered in
the Post ONCE that heavy deiacation had occurred
in tho Money Order Department The genial POST
master, General Pat Jones, was totally unprepared
for such revelation; but on the first rumor of 1t he
set to work with his usual energy to ascertain the
extent and character OF the crime against the de.
partment under his charge He telegrapned to
Washington for special agent, who soon arrived,
and commenced operations. Then was disclosed the
disturbing and alarming fact that John W. Norton.
the superintendent OF the Money Order Department,
was defauer III the sum OF $115, 900. This was
proven by The books OF the office. But 1t Is said
Norton Is as skilful at figures Comptroller Con.
molly and has smile equally as chtdlike and bland.
Norton Is ltty.ive years of age, pOmpous heshy
person, possessing that indispensable qualification
for gentleman i'll his light and easy business
illimtable cheek. He has been engaged in the Post
ONCE III this city for thirteen years, acting
UNDER POSTMASTER KELLY
position 1t Is understood he didn't steal anything.
There was nothing for him to steal except vouchers,
and vouchers in those days were OF little conse-
quence. When the money order system went into
operation, in 1854 Norton was made superintendent
OF the new bureau. He took the tide al the flood,
and 1t led on to fortune. Fortunate for him If it
does not lead to the stale Prison. No one now
knows or pretends to Know where Mr.. Norton
commenced or how he ended his operations
in the Post Ohce; 1t is pretty certain, how
ever that he "worked his route" for four years.
When General Jones', as already mentioned,
heard OF the terrible struggle Mr.. Norton
had to distinguish between nleune and t,utnl, and
got the Treasury agent to assist him some interest
ing facts came to light. First it was discovered
that Norton's accounts did not tally with the &C
counts OF moneys paint into the SuD.Treasury,
though his check book agreed with his own memo
the Sub-Treasury showed the deiclt stated. Then
there was row. General JONES' up that that time,
utterly ignorant OF the Transaction, grew wrotny
and called the delinquent 10 account. The bold de.
Iauter
ADMITTED HIS GUILT
made full confession ana said that he intended to
replace all the m money ne @ had appropriated but,
9eg n, th He was drwwn wn ueeper a. anu aecper
himself before discovery.
General Jones, being personally responsible to the
government for the moneys made away with, called |
a meeting OF Norton's bondsmen, who had qualified |
in the sum OF 100000, and asked them to pony up
IN nod an fhnr-
ity on beets, squashes and deep ploughing was one
OF the number-the venerable agricultural and IRE
ripped out an appalling oath, and swore by all the
hair ON all the heads OF the Trombone free lovers
that he would have satisfaction.
OF the bOndsmen.
conscious of the TACT that he had put his foot in it.
as usual, he rushed away spreading terror through |
the ranks of the astonlshed clerks of the Post
YELLs OF RAGE AND DESPAIR.
But finally the meeting determined to seize the Ill
gotten property OF Norton, and at length did It,
The property was principally situated IN and near
Plainteld, New jersey, and was valued at s147, ,oOo
quite enough TO protect the government from loss
and the public from the squash philosophers pro-
family.
General Jones, Postmaster, visited yesterday |
by representative OF the HERALD In reference to |
the recent defacation in the money department of
the Post Onice The matter had not been fully ven-
tilated, and as only exaggerated rumors In !
active circulation in connection with the case 1t was
sion Of the facts. For more than week past the
greatest excitement has prevailed among the en-
extent OF the defalcatlon. II was generally known,
however, tnat some one of the highest officials in
the government. But the mystery has at length |
been solved, as will appear 10y the statement OF the
in reply TO few interrogatores General Jones
said that the defaulier was John w: Norton, who
the late Mr.. Kelly, but that for some time past he
held the Office OF superintendent or the Money
Order Department under the present Postmaster
REpORTER-What Is the exact amount OF the de-
General loNEs-Itis $4,000 and some odd the
REpoRrER-And has this defacation been going
OH for some time, OR was the amount misappropri.
General JoNEs--Oh no; the amounts have been
at various periods for some years
REPoRrER-How and when was the defalcatlon
General JoNEs-In the Treasury Department, in
Treasurer on my draft, the money being ostensibly
for carrying on business IN the Post ONCE Depart.
was not equal to what he carried on IN my DOCKS.
REPORTER DO you know how the money was ap-
General JONES' do not He has always. borne a
good character, and since the discovery ofShe de
forward about the matter. ] must confess that I
was completely taken by surprise when the matter
suspected OF such a tning.
REPoRrER-will the government lose anything by
the transactlony
General JONEs-Certainly not, since am respon-
sibe for the amount OF any dealcatlon tnat occurs
in the Post ONCE. MY bondsmen have made ar.
fangements TO reimburse the government. One of
them has been appointed trustee OF NOrtOns prop
erty, which has been seized In consequence OF the
defalcation.
REroRrER-what does Norton's property consist
Of and where Is 1t stuated2
General NEs-Prncipaly of real estate, farming
utensils, q house and lot and houses In New Jersey
REPoRTER-What Is the property WORTH
General JONES--About one hundred and fifty
settling with the government, Will reimburse Them
selves.
REPoRTER-So that neither the government nor
your bondsmen VIII suffer pecunarly by the dcfal.
cationS
General JoNEs-No. Nortons property VIII
cover every thing, and believe he himself Is per-
fcctly willing that II should. He has shown great
deal OF readiness to pay the amount he has mlsap-
REPoRTER-Is the defalcation not regarded as
very heavy for man In N0rton's pOsitionY
General JONES-les. IL Is the only one that has |
occurred since Fowicrs time, who, you may remem-
ber was delaulter to the extent OF sixty thousand