New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-09-16

TIE LATE DEF1LCIYIOAS.
MORE DEVELOPMENTS IN PAYMASrER HODGES
CASE - NEARLY MILLION DOLLARS SAID
TO HAVE BEFN EMBEZZLED.

MORE DEVELOPMENTS IN PAYMASrER HODGES
CASE NEARLY A MILLION DOLLARS SAID
TO HAVE BEFH EMEEZZLED.
WASHINGTON, Sept. II. - An examination of
the Second Auditors Office in tho Treasury Department
reveals the tact that there and oncha Of
Paymaster Hodges unsettled accounts in that once
awaiting examination. Ills last settlement includes only
accounts up to the period March, 1867 In the account
current filed with the Second Auditor for examination on
July 1871 Major Hodge claimed to have balance with
the u g. Treasurer OF sCso8 when he really had, as ap
pearcd by the books, only s2jOO9. This discrepancy
not discovered until this morning. The alleged
fraudulent voucher that led to Hodges detection was
filed in the Second Auditors Office for examina-
ton in 1865 and its fraudulent nature waS
not discovered during all this time The custom OF
keeping paymasers accounts much in arrears gives
every opportunity for dcfalcaton. The officers Of the
second Auditors Bureau assert that it not the fault
Of that officer that the discovery of the frauds not
made at earlier period, but the fault OF Paymaster
Gen rcc whose duty Is to certify paymasters re-
turn and to approve his acquisitions for money 1t it
shown that Cen riCc approved Hodges acquisitions for
hundreds OF thousands OF dollars when Hodges accounts
showed that he had half million on deposit 1t is
claimed that II PaymaserGen Bricc had given his at
tenon TO the matter instead Of trusting blindly to
Hodges honesty, he would have thwared Hodges de-
signs he had used many thousands of the Govern
ment money. From present Indications it il not I'M
likely that the enlightenment will reach million Of
dollars.
The Secretary OF War has sent to the JudscAdyocatc
General the communication Of Gen Brce to the Adju-
tant General detailing the circumstances OF the Hodge
efacation and the Secretary has directed the Judge
Advocate to prefer charges against Major Hodge
The application behalf OF Hodge to he relieved from
close has been refused by the Secretary OF
War; and he WILL therefore, remain, ~ now, In close Gus
tOdv at Fort McIIenry. Paymaser General Brce called
on the Secretary Of War this morning to say thai NJ
cOurted the fullest investigation into his official conduct
I'm the administration of the affairs OF the Pay Depart
ment and especially with regard to the Hodge defaca
ton Gen. BrknaD has officially informed tie secretary
OF the Treasury of Hodges dealcation, his arr 81 ana
Imprisonment and OF the action looking to his trial Dy
the military authorities. 49, i.
Secretary Boutwell, IL expected In washington IN n
few DAYS his being fastened by the Developments
I'm the IIudg, drfacaOn ease and with Wow 10 lhVeS
tigate the Implication Of the TreasiTcrs ONCE III con
nuctlUn herewith.
TIE POST-OFFICE DEFALCATlON.
Mr.. Norton is still at his home in Plain
field n j. and has made attempt to leave. He APP
pears to feel position keenly In the published re-
pors of the dcfacation 1t stated that the property
of Mr. Norton was seized under process OF law IL Is
but Justice to him that soon as the amount OF
the deficiency in his accounts was established he inmc
dately made full inventory OF his property real and
persona md transferred the same ~ Inc non ADram
Waterman IN trust and for the purpoS' OF replacing the
amount due from him tO the Government MIS- Norton
Joining with him IN the several conveyancc'