The New York herald., 1872-09-20

IL at the time On the third day arrer he was due,
however, little girl, his child, believe, at all
events from his house, came down here and asked
II Johnson had returned. This was, thought
very singular that he should not have been homo
nor at the 0fce either, and suspicion was aroused
An examination Of his bOoas was Immediately
begun, and after the most careful research not the
slightest thing could be discovered in them to lead
TO the belief that he was defaulter.'
In the meantime I came on from Louis
vile, where 1 was examining matters aud
General Hillhouse tod me what had taken place,
and that ne was by no means satisfied by the pre-
vious examination. Then | went into it. and for
long time could discover nothing whatever, until
yesterday, when discovered q discrepancy OF $11.
continued working on into the night, and finally
found two marks on the schedule-one on the I'd OF
he lef) OF the receipt OF respectively sI75000 and
$1,000 These were not mentioned In the regular
accounts, and tttA1fE
THIS EXCITED MY SUSPICIOUS
looked all through the books and could nnd no
otner mention OF these two sums. This morning
received rom Washington an account OF the differ
eat amounts Of stamps which had been sent to John
son. In the lists were the two sums named-August
2 sl7s GOO, and August Q, $4,000 This to certain
extent confirmed the story. The only thing then
to find out was whether johnson had really received
these sums or not For this purpose sent down this
morning to the express company and there John
sons receipts were discovered on the days men,
TONED; This certainly @ ,, brings the gnit homen
him to dispose OF so large an amount OF stamps9
Mr.. LEOPOLD-Yes, and that's what makes me
HE HAS coNFEDERATEs
who help him out In the matter
REP0RTER-l understand tnaC the new law,
abOlishing the OF these stamps to into
effect on October l. Would not the fear OF losing
his situation have acted upon him. and tempted
him to commit this actf
Mr. LEOPOLD-NO; that's Just the curious part Of
10, for he was promised anOTher situation Just as
soon as his old one died out. His motive can only
have been pure robbery. He always seemed
good, honest man; but who can tell what In all
these years was at the bottom Of his hearth
REPORTER-What was the denomination OF the
stamps stOlen2 ar1.-t' ih0,r
Mr. LEoP0LD-They were all 81 stamps.
From the above Interviews all of which are
given verbatim, 1t Ia clear thfC Johnson fs guilty
of the charge. Mr.. Leopold said that 1t is possible
the stamps may have disappeared In the express,
and may not have been received by Johnson; or,
again, he might say that what he received was two
cent stamps Instead Of dollar stamps. But such
pleas would hardly avail. This Is only one more
Illustration OF the r0ttcnness OF the system
followed by all banks as well
government institutions, Of putting too much
responsibility on one man ana too much
trust In human nature. All the defalcatiOns OF
late years have been where men, who In ordinary
circumstances would have been honest, have had
too great temptations put In their way and have
succumbed. Had there been two clerks instead Of
one In the stamp office the government to-day
would be $1s6,0O0 richer than 1t is and Johnson
would yet have been an honest man. There is no
other excuse for him. 1t ls evident he popular
among his associates from the doubts with which
they surround his crime. And perhaps this fact
may yet save him from the clutches OF justice. 1t
Is said that the loss will fall, not on the govern
ment, but on General HllhOuse or his b0ndsmen.