Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-12-04
The Burlington DeGalcation.
MR.. CRANES VERSION OF THE FACTS.

Mn SESEANE kAAAHAO-N W 4An EANlo'
Below will be found an extract from
the Free Press of Dec. 2, covering the
facts in the internal revenue defalcation
at Burlington as given by Mr.. Crane:
MIR. Crane succeeded Carlos Baxter as
Collector of Internal Revenue for the
Third District of Vermont in the spring
of 1867. His bonds were $1,000 and
L. B. Platt, VIM. G. Shaw, Geo. H.
Bigelew, Jed P. Clark and Geo. F. Ed
munds, became his bondsmen. Edward
A. Jewett, who had been Mr.. Bakers
chief deputy and book-keeper, remained
with Mr.. Crane in the same capacity,
and had entire charge of the books and
funds.
1t became known to many persons,
and doubtless to Collector Crane, that
Mr.. Baxter on settling with the govern
ment, which was not until some time
after he was superseded, found himself
called upon for a larger balance than he
had expected, or believed could be right
thing to be square in his office, and
that he charged Mr.. Jewett with
abstracting funds The charge was made
lIgul VI ny MI OIHCtb9 anu w do AiOb
generally credited by his friends, or by
Mr.. Crane. Mr.. Baxter put two ac-
countants on the books, and after an
overhauling of them which was not
completed for more than year, brought
suit against Mr. Jewett for $1,000, al
legged to have been embeZZled by the
latter. The fact of this suit naturally
give Mr.. Crane much uneasiness, which
i,,oroaC cod INV ha nf or,
agent of the department, who came to
learn why one or more of the regular re-
ports, due from the Office, had not been
made. For this neglect the deputy ac-
knowledged that he was to blame, and
promised greater promptness in future.
Mr.. Crane then began the overhauling
of the books and accounts, for himself
This was no short task. The accounts
are voluminous, and cover large amounts
of uncollected taxes, some uncollectable,
and others abated by orders from the
Commissioner, others in suspense, but
all remaining charged to the account of
the Collector, together with consider
able indefinite sums in the hands of de
puties
Mr.. Crane continued his Investigation
till the fact became forced upon him that,
IL OelISh khClI ~ SitCCdLlbS
with the government he would be held
accountable for large amount-exact4
ly how large, he had not determined
not in his hands, and which he. could
not make good. He informed his depu.
ty of the result of his, investigation, and
that as he (Crane) had not had this
money, he (Jewett) must know what
became of it. Receiving no satisfac-
tory reply from Jewett, Mr.. Crane in
formed him July LIST, 1871, that his SER
vices were no longer required. -,.
Continuing his examination Of the
books, Mr.. Crane found evidence of the
receipt of supls for taxes, which had not
been properly credited and deposited,
receipts from taxes entered at dates
months after the, actual date of eoIlec-
ton, and other indications of systematic
effort TO cover up and carry along a
large deficiency. Aware, however, that
his entire property would not make good
the amount of the deficiency, and
hoping that he might learn of invest
ments by Jewett, which could be at
tached; hoping also that he might be
able to make some money in the hotel
business, which would enable him to
make good the balance against him, he
said nothing to- anybody, and allowed
the matter to drift. along, awaiting, il, !,
great anxietyof mind, the ,tiineof settle 1
ment with the Department. I'LL IS
This came last summer, when the con-
seiidation of 'sthe office of assessor with
that of collector, in June, rendered nee
essary the sauaring of accounts and new /
departure. Upon this enlargement OF 4
his responsibilities, Mr.. Crane was re-