Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-12-05
The Defalcs,,ou Of Collector Crane.

MT. crane succeeueu Naiioa Da4toi e
Collector of Internal Revenue for the Third
District Of Vermont in the Spring OF 1867.
His bonds were 800, 200, and L. b. Platt.
VIM c. Shaw, Geo. II. Bigelow, Jed p.
Clark and Geo. F. Edmunds, 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 fund receiving the money
paid in Cor taxes. making the deposits of the
same (Which the rules of the department
require TO be made dai.y), keeping the &C
counts and making the reports. These
duties he performed Tor over three years.
enjoying the fullest confidence OF the Col
lector
1t became known TO many persons, and
doubtless IL Collector Crane. that Mr.
Baxter on settling with the government,
which was not until some time after he was
superseded. found himself called upon for
larger balance than ne had expected, OF
believed could be rightfally due from him
surprising everything to be square in his
Office, and that he charged Mr. Jewett with
abstracting funds The charge was made
light Of by Mr. Jewett, and was not
generally credited by his friends, or by Mr.
Crane Mr.. Baxter pat two accountants
on the books, and after an 0verhauling OF
them which was not completed for more
than a year, brought suit against Mr..
Jewett for s. 900 alleged 10 have been
embezzled by the latter The demand for
this sum was made on Mr.. Jewett by Mr.
Bakers counsel, in the presence OF Mr..
Crane; and, though Jewett denied that
he had any money belonging to Mr.
Baxter or the government, and though the
Collector desired to believe the assertion
Of his deputy, the fact Of the suit natu-
rally gave him much uneasiness, which was
increased by the appearance of an agent of
the department. who came to learn why one
or more of the regular reports, due from
the office, had not been made. For this
neglect the deputy acknowledged ihat
he WAS TO blame, and promised greater
promptness in future. Mr.. Crane then
began the oyes-hauling Of the books and ac-
counts. for himself This was no short task
The accounts are yoluminOus, and cover
large amounts of uncollected taxes, some
uncollectable. others abated by orders from
the Commissioner. others in suspense, bat
all remaining charged to the account OF the
Collector, together with considerable indei
mite sums in the hands of deputies The
suspended nature Of many Of these accounts
makes an exact settlement of a mass of ac
counts extending over several YEAR,. by n
means simple matter.
Mr.. Crane continued his Investigation t.!l
the fact became forced upon him that Il
called upon then to square accounts with
the government he would be held account
able tor a large amount-exactly how large
he he'd not determined in his hands
and which he could not make good He IN
formed his deputy of the result Of his inyes
tigation, and that as he (Crane) had not
had this money, he tJewett) must know
what became Of it. Receiving no eatislae
tory reply from Jewett. Mr. Crane inf1rmel
him July lst. 1871, that hi services were n,
longer required.
Continuing his examination OF the books
Mr. Crane found evidence Of the receipt o.
sans for taxes, which had not been pro
perly credited and deposited, receipts from
taxes entered at dates months after thi
actual date Of collection, and Other ind
cations Of systematic effort 10 cover ap am
carry along a large deficiency. Aware, how
ever that his entire property would not max
good the amount of the deficiency, an,
hoping that he might learn OF investment
by Jewett which could be attached. hopins
also that he might be able % make slml
money in the hotel business. which woul,
enable hin to make good the balance
against him, he said nothing 10 anybody
and allowed the matter to drift along
awaiting, in great anxiety of mind, th'
time of settlement with the Department
This came last summer when the con-oli
latian of the Office Of Assessor with that @
Collector, in jane. rendered necessary
~quaring Of accounts and new departure
/ Upon thu. enlargement Of his responsible
ties. Mr.. Crane was required to furnisl
new bonds to the amount of $4,000, AM
did 50, Levi Underwood, j. L. Barstow
Geo. p. Foster, r. 5 Taft and + 4
kennedy becoming his bondsmen
In July last. Mr.. H. c. Rogers. second
deputy commissioner of Internal Revenue
and Mr.. Douglas. son of the commissions
of Internal Revenue and clerk of the de
partment. arrived in Burlington, ON a ton
of inspection Of the collectors Offices. Mr.
Crane placed his books before them. AMI
they spent five days in an examination o
them. They found deficiency of owe
81 600, due to the government, and ais
satisfied themselves how the deficiency ha
occurred Mr.. Crane thought it likely ont
Of them would remain in charge Of tn
Office. and that he would be at once super
. ttQtl- AttN uiAut llO lIAlAuIAADn Va tAi
kind, however; and informing Mr.. Gran
that Commissioner Douglas would knoN
how to >ympathize with him, as he ha
been the victim of an embezzlement O
Sl3,O 900 by a deputy, when he was collecto
at Erie, Pa. both LETT In the week fol
lowing the books were examined by Nj
Mixter. clerk of the supervisor of lnterns
Revenue for New England, who made
report Of the case to his superior
Two or three months later. the first 60
lection district wa consolidated with Il
second and third. and in October Nj
Crane received notice OF h.= sppointmeI
to the enlarged district comprising I'll
countie, on the west side OF the State an
Washington County This appointmer
was heralded and accompanied by conEri
tulatory letters from the agents who ha
made the examination of his books.
had not been solicited by Mr. Crane, and
, was. Of course, received by him a. e1iden
that he personally retained the confd en-,
of the Department lie heeitated about a
ceptine it. under the circnm=tances b
. went on to Washington. had an interyie
, with the Commissioner, and had no reasC
to complain Of his treatment at the depaI
, ment He was. of course. held accountah
+ for the amount due the government, b.
was informed that reasonable time would
allowed in shich he conld make good
account. Only after his return from W as
ington did he disclose the state Of the ca
TO any of his bondsmen, when the matter
once became public.
o These statements at present rest necessal
c ly on theauthority of MIR. Crane ,eorrobnrat
n to some extent by letters in his possessi