The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-30
NEW YORK HERALD SATURDAY AUGUST 3D. 1s7s-rRpLE SHEET

'front.', az S76 Union street. br.eos b,s social domes-
nc aaerhhn,s iS 70 Anow but little One OF
ne could Judge OF It, aid that although neighbor
ioa sev n Years Ae never had been in Mr.. Rod
Years DAY, wb en- he called with friend. He said
tne iurnitures and the appointments OF the house
were e'egknt but not extravagant. and evidently
not IN Excess OF the legal income which Mr.. Rod
man ~as receiving at the time. He was man
OF retired quiet habits, who as one gentleman re.
for the criminal den0uement of his career in this
city would have been esteemed as q model, quiet,
never known to gamble to any extent, and was not
known TO be possessed OF any of the other ashona-
bic ioioles by which fortunes are squandered and
families ruined BY the qualification OF an evanes-
austerty Of conduct there may nave lurked devitry
case, judging from what is really known Of the
mans habits, the ominOus question Ia widely dis
are broadly cast that large IL not the largest
portion OF the embezzled funds are still In Mr..
R possession, and under his control.
These deductions are made from the known habits
OF the man. About two years since he purchased
team Of horses and turnout intending to enjoy
usually do, but either the expense Of keeping them
was too much or else he did not like the socabillty
he sold his team soon afterwSrd, and he has not
purchased horse since. or his history before COM
ing 20 Brooklyn but disointed statements could be
obtained, and from these 1t appears that he was
born some forty years since at Oniskany Falls, in
this State, and on arriving at the age OF manhood
From here he went to Ohio and engaged In q series
OF specplations. backed by his stepfather, who
that the old gentleman was financially ruined. His
next move was to New York, where. after short
service as clerk in the Post ONCE, he went out %
1t into the Sub-Treasury in the same capacity. He
was next head OF the firm oil ROdman, Fiske h Co.,
which failed, and then became cashier OF the Gro
failed shortly alter his connection with it. with
this record behind him, and, through his acquaint-
ance with business men here, he was appointed
secretary OF the Brooklyn Trust Company
SKETCH OF CITY TREASURER SPRAGUE
Mr.. Sprague is a native of Pennsylvania and
Pennsylvania. and, 1t is SAID, was not successful
there. He occupies handsome residence in VIII
low street. First ward, where he has lived for
several years.
Some years ago he was induced to accept the
democratic nomination for Supervisor in the First
ward, to which position he was elected and re-
He is in the hardware business in Warren street,
New York, the firm being MILFORD 4 Sprague Mr..
Sprague was deemed to be q desirable acquisition
to the men who take part in public affairs, for the
reason IT., that he was wealthy, sesuPporting citi,
at once satisfactory to his party and the public.
The ONCE OF CITY Treasurer was held for many
Quoted in about the way it has been managed in
Mr.. Sprague's time, but there was never then any
m t a Sassas a a Kept ms
the Trust Company The Office for some reason or
another has not been deemed to be OF very great
Treasurer receives the money collected by
the Tax Collector and others, puts it
in the bank to his credit as Treasurer,
and draws upon it II directed by the proper
authorities. The duties OF the office up to very
recent period have not been arduous For many
years Judge Morse didn't have even the assistance
OF clerk. The business Of the ONCE was con-
Quoted after village fashion, and the revenues
and expenditures OF the city for the most OF his
time, as compared with the present, were on vii
lage SCALE As late as 1861 the total revenue Of the
city was about ST. 0OO 000 and it reaches this year
over $6,OOO,OOO.
In 1868 Mr.. Sprague was nominated for the Office
of City Treasurer by the democratic party and
elected At the expiration OF his term OF office, in
1884, he had administered his duties, as 1t was be-
lieved, SO satisfactorily that he was ren0minated,
and his denomination was endorsed by the reform
committees which were organized in that year and
which still continue in one form or another. He
was reelected by handsome majority.
Mr.. Sprague was deemed to be so strong with
his party and with the public that his name has
been frequently associated with the nomination
1Or the Mayoralty.
Mr.. Sprague is socially, very popular man. He
is q member Of the Brooklyn Club and President
OF the Long Island Club.
He lives In very handsome style, but the manner
OF his life has always been deemed to be within
his means. He Is the owner OF a country residence
on the Hudson, which 49, however, not ostenta-
tous in Its pretenslons.
Action will be taken at an early day by the
Board Of Aldermen to appoint successor TO City
treasurer Sprague.