The New York herald., 1873-10-25
PHELPS, THE DEFAULTER.

Interviews with General Barlow and
District Attorney Moak, OF Albany
The District Attorney Declares that He
Will Consent to No COmpromise-The
Entire Loss Not Over $780,
District Attorney Moak, OF Albany county ar
rived here at an early hour yesterday morning
from Albany rumor was current that his visit
to New York was in connection with the Phelps
delaication, and that he came here to consult At
torney General Barlow in regard to the best means
oil convicting Phelps and guarding the interests OF
the State Treasury. HERALD reporter who
called at the Attorney Generals Office yesterday
was told that General Barlow had gone out with
District Attorney Moak. At hafpast two O'Clock
General Barlow and Mr.. Moak returned in great
hurry. The following conversation then took place
between the reporter and the District Attorney OF
Albany county,
WHAT Mr.. MoAK SAYS.
REPoRTER-Will you have the goodness to give
me any new facts IN your possession IN regard to
the Phelps defalcation?
Mr.. MoAK-I will gladly tell you all that I con-
sistently can considering the interests OF justice
and my duty as public prosecutor. l am here in
connection with this case in order to cooperate
with General Barlow and to pursue the inquiry
into It's extraordinary circumstances. or course
you cannot expect me to enter into the details
OF the investigation; that would probablydeieat
the ends OF justice.
REPoRTER--Is 1t true that you have obtained
some clew to $l50,000 or the stolen money, and
| pect to get this amount backs
Mr.. M0AK-Oh, am really not at liberty to state
| the real amount. All can say is that we expect
| to get some OF the money back-how much, IL
would be quite impossible for me to say. Yon may
state that the State authorities have hope 0i
realizing part OF the stolen money.
REPoRTER-How mucn viii the State lose prob
ably, or Will the banks be the only losers?
Mr.. MOAK-ThaL part OF the case
BELONGS ENTIRELY no GENERAL BARLOW.
don't know whether tine State will lose any money
or not l regard the criminal prosecution and
punishment oil this man as OF lar greater Importance
than the saving OF 81, ,00O or any thousands OF dol
lars. The state cannot AFFORD to compromise with
such scoundrels.
REPoRrER--rhen you will not consent to any
Mr.. MOAK-Nol l will not enter into any COM
promise, as do not believe in compromising with
scoundrels. Itwould be most injurious to the tone
OF public morality in the state, and think that the
respectable part Of the community would certainly
disapprove OF it.
the probable extent OF the loss to the State and the
banksy
Mr.. MoAK-It is impossible to state the amount
THE Loss WILL SCARCELY BE OVER TWO HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS.
How much we will recover II would be impossible
REpoRrER-Has Phelps any accomplices whom
you are likely to prosecutor
Mr.. MoAK-l can't tell you tnat, as it might de-
feat the ends OF justice. Besides, have no accu-
rate and trustworthy information on the subject.
REpoRTER-Do you think you will be able TO con-
vtct PhepsY
Mr.. MoAK-Undoubtedy there is no question
but what he can be convicted and punished. You
may safely say that. And now l must make haste
to join the General.
General Barlow was bundinr up his papers, and
said he was IN hurry to go out OF town. The re-
porter asked him q lew questions, which he an
swered with his usual courtesy
REPoRTER-Mr Moak told me, General, that you
know best whether the State or the banks will lose
the money which was stolen by Phelps from the
State Treasury.
General BARLow-The State will lose some
money! how much 1t would at present be Impossi-
BILE to say. We are doing all We can TO
TRACE OUT ANY PERCEPTIBLE CLEws
to the money! and District Attorney Moak is
here to cooperate with me IN the matter.
We have been working on the case all day,
but the publication or the facts which already
in our possession would be prejudicial to the In
Mr. Moak Is correct, and is about ali that can be
divuged for the present.