Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-09-06
DEREIICT OFFICIAL.
The Case OF MI. Charles 3. Ramsburx.

For day or two past there have been rumors
afioat of something wrong in the transactions of
one of the employees in the Office of the Collector
of Taxes. The party in question is Mr.. Chas
s. Ransburg, who for the past two years has
been filing the position of Deputy Collector of
the District for the City of Georgetown, having
previously filed the position of Assessor of
Taxes. Mr.. Ramsburg on accepting the posi-
ton gave the bond required in the sum of
$50, eco, but under the rules of the Office he was
not allowed TO receive money-that being the
duty of the Cashier, Mr.. Siias Newfoundland his
duties were confined to the making out of bills
Up to few weeks ago he was regularly in his
office, and it was not suspected that there had
been any transportation of funds until the
tax lien certificates were Issued, when some
parties who received the notification of such
certificates being issued against their property,
and had paid the amount, making inquiries
it was ascertained that there was something
wong. Some time since it was ascert aimed
that Ramsburg had receipted for money out
he had done so, but that he did it as q personal
favor to the parties.
Collector Slater Immediately Instituted maui
ries into the matter, and up to this time tax re-
ceipts have been found in the hands of parties
in Georgetown-the amounts of which are not
credited on the collectors books-amounting to
an aggregate ofs9 y31s.I. The collections made
by Harrisburg were confined to his own city of
georgetown, and the amount, though perhaps
exceeding somewhat the figures at present as
certained, cannot, 1t is quite certain, exceed
$4,000, and will probably not be above $4,000.
1t should be stated in this connection that the
books of the Office are all correct, no false en-
tries having been made there, and Ramsburg's
operations have been outside Of the Office.
Taking advantage of his extensive acquaint-
ance in Georgetown, he, in order to relieve him
self from pecuniary straits, collected money
authority to receipt for the same, when he had
rome.
ON being charged with his wrong doing by
Collector Slater, Ramsburg admitted his guilt,
and gave as his only excuse that the business
firm in Georgetown with which he is connected
got involved, and he had collected and used the
money, with the expectation of being able to
replace it. 1t seems that he made collections
for the years 1871, ~ and 10, and so far covered
his tracks as to replace the collections he had
used for 1911: He declares his ability to turn in
assets enough to make verifying straight with
the parties he has victimiZed. These assets
consist of the stock of goods (gloves, &C., of the
Georgetown firm; lot valued at $4,000; the
salary due him, &C., &c.
The business firm aforementioned is that of
Jacob Ramsburg & Sons, (Jacob Ramsburg, n
+. Ramsburg and g. s. RamsburgD buckskin
dressers and glovers, los High street, George
town. The gloves and dressed goods of the
Ramsburgs have had a high reputation in the
market, and they have done in the past an ex-
tensive and profitable business, but of late
years have got entangled in pecuniary embar-
easements, ending in this sad disgrace to an
honorable mercantile career.
Inc uelln4uent, ". .. haInDurg, Is a young
man, of fine appearance and prepossessing
manners. He is a married man, of steady habits
and of religious professions, and there is no
reason TO suppose that b used the money in any
other way than that indicated by himself; i. e..
for the purpose of relieving his firm of
pressing pecunisry straits, with the expectation
that has deceived so many before him, of being
able to replace the money undetected.
The number of names of Georgetown PARTIES
who have suffered from his operations are, so
far as ascertained. about sixty, and the amounts
collected vary from one dollar to nearly one
thousand dollars. Amongst the heaviest suf-
ferers are K. M. L. Boucher, S446.51; Jas. j.
Barrett, s310.l3; Buckley s. Marbury, s179.s3;
Charles II: Demar, sl1S.23; Decius Ed
monston, s2lt93; James Clarity, s1o3;99,
81, Thomas A. Newman, s4O2 80; Richard Pet
tit, S43931; Clement Smith, %; Charles A.
Upperman, S12S.SO; Catherine Waters, 1922. %;
George Waters, s426.5S; James Wallace, 9s;
Consolidation Coal Company, S545 for 1872
and 'I3; ditto, S6i2.e6 for 1873 and "a.
at O'Clock this afternoon Collector Slater
took Mr.. Ransburg before Col. Cook, the at
torney OF the District, and Detective McDevitt
was sent for. Harrisburg was then questioned
as to the transaction, but he declined to
day, when Collector Slater asked him 't the
amount appropriated by him, he stated
that he had II all down and preferred not to
state 1t until he saw the list Subsequently he
acknowledged to the detective and others hay-
ing received about $1,000. U. s. Commissioner
made an information charging him with having
received sums of money from various persons
which he has failed to turn in to the collectors
office. Commissioner johnson issued warrant
for his arrest. and Mr.. McDevitt formally took
him in custody.
AS stated above, Ramsburg was bonded for
$4,000, his sureties being Chas. +. Peck and
Charles II. Cragin