, 1874-02-28
GRhlN-lNSPECT0R HARPER.
Report Of the Railroad Commissioners
on His Accounts.
He Is Acquitted of Intentional
Irregularities.


Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners in the
case of Grain'1nBpector Harper, which WIS sub
mitted to Gov. BeveridGe several days ago, and
by him returned to the Commissioners for
amendment, WAS made public to-day. The re~
port is to the effect that Mr. Harper
borrowed $4,000 to meet the expenses
Of his Office in tho period extend
ing from May 8, 1873, until Sept, 80. 1878.
Without tho knowledge Of the Inspector, the
amounts thus raised, which properly belonged
only to Mr.. Harper's private accounts, we're car
ricd into his official books. In order that the re-
ceipts should meet the expenses Of the Office,
the Commissioners, in September, 1878. raised
the Zee for the inspection Of grain, and since
that time there has been constantly balance in
bank to the credit OF Mr. Harper. After review
ing these facts, the report continues:
The only items we have found Of the character
charged are stated above. Whua 1t Is evident that
they not proper legitimate entries to bo made in
Mr. uarpe-s onciA account-bookB, 1t IS likewise ap
parent that, inaAmuch they entered upon both
tho debit and credit acs Of tho cashaccouu they do
not in any in1uriously affect tho balances
against Mr. Harper shown by his books In this con-
nectou, it Is proper to stato that during nl the c
OF Mr. Smiths continuance in office ~ his Chief Clerk
manner Of keeping the books and will further add
that the books appear to have been kept III m extreme
y unartstic manner, showing great eareleaSness on
the part Of the beokkeeper.
THE ALLEGED srEcuLAT1oSs.
The charge OF speculation in grain preferred
against Mr.. Harper by his former chief clerk is
dismissed By the Commissioners with little con-
Bidcrntion. His bank account On tho last day OF
each month is examined, and an apparent de-
lct OF several Thousand dollars noticed in each
case. This discrepancy is accounted for BY the
mistakes Of Mr.. Smith in confoundlng the otd-
cal and private accounts OF Mr.. Harper. Ac-
counts for several monthB-from Oct 81, 1873
to Feb. 20-are giveu below:
On the 3lst Of October, 1873, Mr. Harper's CASH
book shows . balance In his hanls amounting 10
to hs T. ersdt a on ths re- Hn,oa date n
$5,9Cs.T.
book shows balance in his hands amounting to sa21
274 ST balance to his credit same date Ut the City
National Bank o3os1: 1t tie unton National Bank
On the 3lst OF December, The balance in Mr.
Harpc1s bands, per cashbook, Was $xf, bal
to m s f ase 'At oa o M cs
S. total $i3 ISL 80; deficit 8, A. On thu 3lst
Of January 1874, the balance in 81: Harpers hands
asn,e To- dao 1t The city National Bank s u84 % At
The Uuion National Bank $. 47212 to'al 9lo 5'7 %;
On tbs i9lh day Of February instant the balance in
Mr. Harpers hands As par caah.book was 81 l4o 90 );
balance to bis credit at the date at the
Ssi G Rsaa oa q aee oe;?a
The City National Bank ho.ds a1r: uarpe1s note,
dated the 1th q January m r,t ss for 70 $o th' be
|
N CONCLUSION.
The report concludes as follows:
It Ia proper state that the facts upon which tho
foregoing statement is based furnished us by Mr.
the Investigation wo have made, and who protests
most earnestly that there has been ut rne any In
tenton on bis part to sny part Of the
fully submitted. D. a. brown,
Railroad aud Warehouse Commissioners.
af,u ft1a nj C1t
letter from Commissioner Pearson, aud the doc
uments to which 1t rofers:
s1R: v. Il. Harper, CHIEF inspector Of Grain for
the City of Chicago has this day left at this ONCE
statement relative to tho condition Of his financial ao-
counts On the 18th a1d 10th inBs together with letters
S M Ssq5 o Z ,nS X Of cssse
L. II. Miner, Cashier OF tho City National Bank u
Chicago, which he desires to have considered IN con
Goth inst by Commissioners Brown and Steele, On Tho
SANG subject The statement, together with said let
tera L herewith ne!osed; Vesy rssPeeahuy yooF
Attached to this report aro the documents
here following:
STATEMENT CASH ACCOUNT At THE cLosK or
pus1xKss ON THE 1sr1 or rE1nUAnx' ls1t; - ~
Balance on hand, shown by cash~book... : Ml404
Amount Of cash in hank. l8,574.40
Amount Of cash on hnnd. 6,334.1 10
Amount Of bills paid and moneys Advanced
to amployeS, etc.. not entered In cosh-book 1eo-D
Totsl, Observation-Disclosures. S4,Go3.89
Excess Of co8h in hand 1t the close OF buEt-
~. Feh H. 1874 e53l
er.TrmE,.r ar CASH ACCOUNT At THE cLosK uusI-
MESS az THE 18TH or FEBRUARY, 1874.
n,1,nce IN hand. a. shown by cash-book. $a
4rnount ~ cash in bank II 80
amount Of cash in hand. 10
Amount Of bills paid and moneys advanced
to employees, etc., no tentezed in eash-book 1859
Total 81, &c., SO
A1Seb' Fe1 10 10 1s1t 625.6s
Certified to be truo and correct:
WILLIAM II. HARPEn, CHIEF Inspector.
4. II. PunDIE. Chief Clerk.
Mr. cooLnAuaH's LErTKH-
CHICAGO, Feb. ., 1874
Cos. John L. B<p<rid9e, Springfield, ~:
Sm: BY reference TO our Cooks It appears thas 1ne
balance to the credit Of " f. Harper Chief Inspect