New-York tribune., 1873-12-17
BROOKLYN DISCLOSURES.
Ex-TREAsURER sPRAGUE's DEFENSE.

IL ID. Il.
The letter of ex-Judge More, which was
published in Yesterdays TRIBUNE, stating that his
client. ex-Treasurer sprague, innocent OF the
charges made against him for mafeasance in Office and
that other persons than sprague and Rodman were re-
sponsibe for the dcalcatons caused considerable
derment yesterday in Brooklyn The statement OF Mr..
Warren that :" it tho constant practice OF some
body. during all OF Mr. Spragues term Of Office to
the money for unauthorized purposes" sustained Mr.
More's allegation that neither Sprague Rodman
defaulter, but the balance held under cover"
with the Trust Company The statement Of official
in the District-Attorney's Office, made to
TRIBUNE reporter after Mr.. Brittons
return from Europe. the effect that 1t
had been discovered that amounts OF money had been
drawn from tho Treasury from time to time by persons
connected with political organizations. recalled and
cited as furnishing reason why Mr.. Br.ton had not
prosecuted sprague and ROdman. TRBu NE reporter
was told yesterday by influential and trustworthy
resident Of Brooklyn that BodInan had informed him
few weeks ago that It positively determined that
Sprague should never be tried. Being asked how he
knew this he replied that he had positive evidence Of
the fact. had received the OF those who
controlled the matter He certain that the case
would be ealod Mr.. Britton. in speasne of the
subject yesterday, said that the Investigation of the
charges against himself had consumed more time than
he had anticipated had concluded not 10 try Sprsgue
this torn.
TRIBUNE reporter called upon several persons yes
terday obtain their views In regard tho letter Of
ox-Judge More. Daniel Chauncey, late receiver OF the
Brooklyn Trust Company, not at his o,c bat the
views Of his brother obtained. lie said that he
did how the statements OF exJudce More could
be correct He referred first the statement that
before Sprague would accept tho Office OF Treasurer,
those In the interest OF the Brooklyn Trust Company
agreed to procure the passage of law authorizing
sp-ague 20 appoint deputy 1t being understood that
he WAS to appoint Rodnan. for whom the
Trust Company was to voueh and 80 security. Nj.
Chauncey that according Mr. schroeders letter
and Mr. Warrens statement $4,000 had been retained
by somebody few weeks after sprague mad heen IN
Office and before ROdman had been appointed He said
that the law under which ROdman became Spra2ue's
deputy passed, be understood II, simply to pro-
of the office He thought that the letter OF Mr.
meut OF Mr.. sprsgue, and accordance with
the principle that lawyers generally recognze that they
justified in doing everything that s honorable to
arouse sympathy Tor their clients He added that he
would not be in Mr. Spragues position for thpueauds OF
collars and was satisfied that the latter was responsible
for the thefts
D. p Barnard, associate counsel in tho case OF
exceedingly indscreet In publishing tor Defense
and he feared that 1t wonld lead TO the disadvantage OF
their client because, an measure iS gave the prcseeu
ton information IN regard TO their plans Tho state
ment Of Judge More. he said, does not comprise tho
whole deiense and lie himself did not feel ut liberty to
furnish in full what they were prepared 10 prove when
was satisfied that what had already published
cernng their defense had induced the DstricA
which were in the possession OF himself and his
could DO given TO the pubic IL would tend tn
vent what they most desired an eNpeduout trial OF
their client. He said the iHcluded70 counts
consisting OF ~ oenses. IL would be the duty OF the
DIstrict-Attorney select some Of these oienses
Tor trial and after should clearly appear which ono Of
the on had been selected the defense could demand
all the evidence shonld he conlned TO proving
single ofense charged. He felt satisfied that after the
specific charge had been decided it would not take
than d few hours to prove SpraSde's cOmp!ete IN
Of the charges brought against him. HI had il
his documentary evidence, aud had
the testimony OF certain persons who would AMPLY
fute every charge made 10y the District Attorney.
Mr HarDarcs and partner who was present, said
that the evidence would disclose the persons
would be discovered to have guilty of maeasance
were connected with the Trdst Company He said 1t !
true. stated IN Mr. SchrOeders letter, that
Sprague had appropriated s3o)V0) before Rodman had
assumed the duties or his position. Tho fact that
ROdman had all tho handling of the moIey from the |
time the Company began operations, although sh0 was
formally appointed deputy until tho law passed
the Legislature empowering the Company to employ
officer. He agreed with his father That II would
injurious not only To the interests OF Mr. SpTaguc but
OF the RefOrmers Of Brooklyn to diyuge at tho
present the startling evidence which they were prepared
10 advance IL the could only he brought to trIa
The term office OF the Attorney General would
expire anu Mr.. BritQn had shown his Dissemination 10
try He cOufted investigation, and to ;hat end
thought it wise not 10 let the prosecution understand
the eanplltude Of the defense