The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-10-16
NEW YORK.
HEAVY DEFAECATION.
Cashier of the New York Treasury a
ThieE$3OO,OO stolen-The Old Story
of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Of the Rogue.

Thier$3OO, 200 stolen-The Old Story
of observation-disclosures Of the Rogue.
ALBANY, Oct. 15.-Charles HI. Phelps, CASH
Ter in the Treasury Department of the State,
arrested in Jersey City yesterday and
brought here last night charged with robbery of
the State Treasury of money, supposed to reach
$4,000
Under an arrangement made by the Comp
troller and Treasurer, the State deposits are di-
vided between five or six banks of this city. A
few days ago the State Treasurer discovered
that the cashier was making larger deposites in
one of the banks than it was entitled to, and at
once instituted an examination of his accounts,
but without suspecting that any of the funds of
the State had been embezzled, the most entire
confidence being placed in the cashier by every
one, and the system of checks in the Comptrol-
ler's Office being deemed absolute security
against fraud.
For years it has been the custom for banks to
send to the Comgtroler's Office a duplicate of
the TreasTrer's bank book upon the first day of
each month. These books passed through the
hands of the general bookkeeper, George Seeley.
Seeley dropped the duplicate set without the
knowledge of either the Com Jtroller or Urea
surer The next step was to induce the general
bookkeeper to accept in some instances the
statement of the cashier of the balance in some
one of the banks without producing the bank
books. This was successfully accom- plished
during the month, and thus Phelps escaped de-
lection for very short time. He charged a
large sum to the Mechanics and Farmers
Bank, which its own statement showed it did
not have. 1t appears that he obtained cash
upon some of the drafts RENTED to him by the
county 'reasurers.
From examinations thus far made the Trea-
surer is of the opinion that the ENLIGHTENMENT
may approximate $780, 1000, but the State cannot
be the loser
The Treasurer hogan his examination by re-
questing the various banks of deposit to furnish
him with statement of their accounts. Phelps
fled and wrote a note to the Treasurer, admit
ting that his accounts were not entirely correct.
Raines followed him to Jersey City, and in an
interview which took place last Friday Phelps
claimed that if allowed his liberty two or three
months he would refund the entire amount. He
said he had used the money in speculations in
New York city, but not in Stocks and would
not say definitely to what purposes he had APP
piled it. He also admitted that he had accom-
plces, but would not give their names. He
claimed that the money is still largely under
his control, and that he would soon be able to
refund 100000 of the amount. He desired to
be left alone that he might be free to obtain
and restore the money.
The Treasurer would not assent to any ar
rangement which either settled the offence or
permitted the offender to remain at large but
put detective on the track of Phelps, obtain.
ed the necessary papers from Gov. Dix, and
yesterday had Phelps arrested in Jersey City
and brought here last night.
Phelps was arraigned in the Police Court this
afternoon on the charge of stealing draft OF
bill of exchange from the Treasurer office to
the amount of $4,000. He stated that his
counsel was not present, who requested post
ponement till to morrow afternoon, which was
granted. IL is feared the amount embezzled
will exceed 100000.
NEW YORK, Oct. 15.-It is stated that Phelps,
the defauiter of the States finances at Albany,
was wegher in the Custom House here under
Collector Grinnell, being appointed by the in
fueDce of Senator Fenton, but was removed 0y
Collector Murphy for being engaged in ques-
tiOnacle transactions.
Libel Suit.
NEW YORK, Oct. 15.-Judge McCue has
commenced proceedings against Whtelow
Reid of the Tribune and Charles A. Dana of
the Sun for libel
A Missing Mau.
Charles r. White, agent for western OF
eastern house, supposed in Cleveland or Boston
is missing from his residence in this city since
Sunday, and as he was in the habit of carrying
considerable money about him, foul play is sus
pected. hi overcoat hat and some letters
were found in the hallway in Liberty street
Monday night.
Large Exports.
| The total exports of produce from this port
| for the week ending Tuesday is $7,025,771, a
decrease from last week of 81 1852 $50.
The Stokes Trial.
Assistant District Attorney Russell made al
| opening address for the prosecution this morn
ing in the case of Stokes. He asked the jury
to give the prisoner fair trial and the benefit
of all law, and, disregarding allegations as to
the piofigacy of Fiske and all that might be
thought as to the moral characters
Three W illnesses were examined but no new
facts developed.
Manufacturers Suspending Operations
Several of the east side manufacturers have
been compelled to discharge good many work
men or shorten the hours of labor. Some es
adjustments have closed altogether The Howe
Sewing Machine Co., and New England Can
Spring Works have closed.
In favor of an appointed Judiciary.
AT meeting of tbs Bar Association last eve.
ming, resolution was adopted recommending
to the people OF the State the adoption of a
constitutional amendment to be submitted at
the ensuing election, providing that Judges be
| appointed by the Governor, with the advice OF
| the Senate.
Free ReIigionists.
| At the Convention of the Free Relioionists
| this afternoon, f. E. Abbott read a paper on
''The Foreign Missionary System" lie smoke
| of the utter impracticabilty of the system. and
| said that the. conversion of the whole world
was impossible He produced statistics showing
that the whole number of converts made by
J foreign missionaries during the years of 1861