New-York tribune., 1874-01-28
JERSEY CITY PLUNDERED.
HEAVY MUNICIPAL EMBEzzLEMENT

| HEANI EMBEZZLEMENI.
FLIGHT OF CITY TREASURER HAMlLroY-onY BoSIss
| FOR yIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ms5IyG-HIs'
BoNDsMEN's BOND DEsrRoYED-A NEW CITY
TREASURER APPOINTED
A rumor was circulated through Jersey City,
Yesterday afternoon to tho eject that the CITY
Treasurer, Alexander ID. Hamilton, had sbscondec and
that he bad taken with him large amount OF money
belonging to the city Tho report was generally dis
believed. and for time coufa not be traced to any
authentic scarce. II sscertained. however, that
the Treasurer left the city last Friday stating that
was about 10 visit Trenton. His long absence from the
city trst gave rise 10 suspicion shat something
wrong, and ths suspicion became ntensihsd when 1t
was fonnd that by standing rule Of the Board Of
Flnauce the Treasurer had right to absent himself
from the city without tho consent OF the Beard Inquiry
was made. and 1t found that Hamilton had sand he
would return Saturday. No intelligence received
IN relation to his whereabouts until Monday when he
teegaphel to s vito and one Of his friends that he had
been suddenly called 20 Boston business OK import
ance, but would return to this city Tuesday night
Yesterday, J. H. Cloves fathern-Iaw. and one OF the
bondsnen OF Hamilton made application to be relieved
from bis obligation. This request created suspicion and
special meeting OF the Board held yesterday after
noon, during which partial examination Of Hamton's
accounts pado. 1t found that he had made
deposits usual the day OF mis- departure and that
his accounts wero apparently correct. The Sinking
Fund bonds. OF which he had charge found 10 his
safe. and confidence partially restored. Up to this
time his friends continued to assert his innocence,
though evident feeling OF uneasnos5 eYineed by
his bondsmen
Finance during the afternoon and evening, and though
1t found that tho Treasurer bank for the
past week wero all right, IL also discovered that ut
least $4,000 Of the securities 10 his possession miss
Ing About two hours before Hamilton disappeared ho
deposited S7i in the Hudson COuuty National Bank,
being his receipts that day from Collector Love- Since
the present Board Of Finance has been in powor tho
city has been seriously embarrassed for want OF funds
and has become customary 70 pay tho larger debts by
exchanging bonds for city warrants. On Friday
ing "a $1,000 bonds were signed by tho Mayor. and
left with Treasurer Hamilton TO deliver to persons who
expected TO present warrants that day During
the Investigation yesterday, only $4,000 OF these bonds
found and as there was no account OF tho missing
s0OJO t is believed hat the Treasurer has taken them
with him, and that further Investigation Will swen the
amount missing to 100000 at least The numbers OF the
missing bonds follows Nos lil to I49 iuclusiye
3J3 to 35 inciusive 4O5 to +3 inclusive; and 2i5, 21i6
271 276l, 2.7G2 2T03, and 2766. La addition to beso
missing bonds the TreasurcTs bonds, which he had
gy0n security for the faithful performance OF his
duty, missing IL appeared, on investigation, that
shortly before the departure OF Hamilton he called
Cornelius 8. See the Clerk Of the Board OF Finance.
and represented that he desired 10 make change |
IN his bond smon whereupon was allowed to take the
bond With him, and it's absence indicates that has been
destroyed. Tho bondSmen were Alexander Hamilton,
father Of the Treasurer j. H. Cloves his faherinsw;
W. C. whytho James Gopslt, John Anness, Thomas A. |
chamberlain, and James Van Pelt. The amount Of the
security given by tho bondsmen sl25O0). The City
Attorney W A. Lewis. ana Distct-Atorney GarrettsOn
gave their opinion that the loss Of the bond did not
in the least affect the liability OF the bondsmeD.
The bondsmen were called together by the Board OF
Finance last ght, and informed of this decision Mr.
Chamberlain OF the bODdsmen stated that he had be-
come security for Hamilton merely ~ a temporary
commodaon the latter having stated that Mr. Scudder,
who had promised 10 sign the bond absent from the
city. He therefore consented to assume the obligation
until Mr. Scudder returned.
Alexander ID. Hamltoh tho absconding Treasurer,
was appointed by the present Board OF Finance. July
25 1873 to iii vacancy caused by tho removal OF Treas
uror UOrnblower, who had been appointed by former
Board. Mr. Hamilton ~ highly connected, his family
being regarded Of the best in the county Both
his father and fatherin-aw men OF wealth and in
Huence II is stated however that be has recently led
!, fast life and that his habits have been somewhat
irregular.
The Board of Finance, at u special meeting last night
declared the position vacant, and appointed Thomas
~ Pres ~ the u.a G-.y National
Bank the position The excitement last night when
the delacaton became positively known, TO the
highest pitch formed the chief topic OF
lion in all political circles The Board OF FINANCE whicn
been Gnfay0rably regarded since IL came In power
April aud has been frequently called on by both
parties resign account OF ncompeteDcy. came In
for a full share OF roprobatiOn from all persons. |
It WAS stated last night that the matter had been
placed in the hands OF detectives who were diligently
searching for Hamilton.