The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-28
ANOTHER JERSEY DEFALCATION,
The Treasurer of Jersey City
Absconds with $4,000.
He Carries with Him His Official Bond and
Notifies His Family Of His Arrival in Bos-
ton-A Plant Secretary Of the Board
Of Finance and Coniding Board.

No city in the Union has suffered more rom mis-
government than Jersey City during the past three
years "hen corrupt ring was placed IN charge
OF the pubic treasury by corrupt Legislature the
HERALD sounded the keynote OF financial embar-
rassment which was certain to follow. Popular
government was overthrow, and the members
rom Camden and Cape May In the Legislature I'M
dertook to force government upon the people OF
Jersey City that has entaed a load of debt from
which 1t cannot recover within the next ouarter
OF century, The present debt amounts to
one-fOurth OF the valuation As another aupeal
Will be made to the Legislature at the
present session TO repeal the infamous charter
and restore the system OF popular governments the
following case may serve as an Illustration OF The
Outgrowth of the system OF government by COM
missions for the enlightenment Of the wise legis.
latOrs at TrentOn:-
The first City Treasurer installed under the new
charter was Josiah Hornhlower, who received the
position as q reward for his services in sup
porting the charter in the Legislature,
contrary to the expressed will of the
entire body Of his constituents. He held
the position till last August when he resigned.
and young man, named Alexander d. Hamilton.
who was clerk in the City Collectors ONCE, was
appointed to I'LL the vacancy. 1t is proper at this
place to state that strong effort was made in the
Board OF Finance, on the motion OF Mr. Farrier, to
have the bonds for the office Of City Treasurer
fixed at 100000, but it was unsuccessful. The
bonds were placed at S125,OO0. The bondsmen of
Mr.. Hamilton are his father, his father-in-
law, John Clewes, MIR. Chamberlain, Mr.. John
Anness Mr. James Gopsil MI. Van Pelt and
Mr.. Lawrence. The new incumbent attended
faithfully to his duties for three months. after
which it was observed he became little erratlc, to
use very mild term. Ten days ago Mr.. Anness
was called upon by friend. who advised him ia
aDsOlve himself from his security, Ii he would not
needed. Now comes the climax. Last Friday
Hamilton 3 deposited the sum OF $500 in greenbacks
in the Hudson County Bank. This comprised the
whole receipts OF the day. Before he made the
deposit he sailed called upon Mr. Cornelius :.
and obtained from him the bond which made his
sureties liable in case OF default Here is another
mission. Mr.. See handed over the bond, which he
was bound to retain IN the interest OF the people of
babe arewell-a long larewell-to Jersey City. He
was not missed, except by few. I'LL Monday. ON
was making brief sojourn there and
would be home in due time General
Mr. Morrow, Clerk to the City treasurer, on Mon
day morning, and asked him what bonds were on
hand. The reply was most unsatisfactory, ana the
Comptroller said, "You must have more than
that" Morrow persisted that there were no more
where the Treasurer was. Morrow said he sup
posed he was at home. "We. want you to go
aud tell him to come down here" said Mr. Car
man. Morrow met this request with positive
refusal. Then arose suspicion that small Afr-
can concealed behind something other than
u stone wall. where are the Keys sp asked
Mr.. Carman. The key Of the inner portion OF the
safe, which the City Treasurer had never before
parted with, was then produced. Mir. Carman
made inquiries to the whereabouts OF Mr. Ham
ilton and communicated mis- suspicion to several
members OF the Board OF Finance. The flight or
the Treasurer was known to many OF the inner
circle on Monday morning
MeSSrs. Farrler and Lockwood, OF the Board Of
Finance, were appTlsed at hat-past ten O'Clock In
the forenoon of yesterday. Then startling rumOrs
few around and consultation was held. spe-
ciai meeting OF the Board OF Finance was
called for the afternoon, and an examination OF
the books revealed the TACT that bonds TO the
amount or at least $4,000 were missing.
The rumor spread along the street that the
water, the lightning calculator OF the Erie
Railway, was immediately impressed into
the service, and he was engaged IN scrutiny OF
the books up 10 late hour last night. Messrs.
Lockwood, Case and farrier, of the Board OF
Finance, ana Mr.. Carman. the Comptroller, told
the HERALD representative that. so lar rs known,
the delacatlOn does not exceed $50, 600.
At nine O'Clock last night Mayor OMEN arrived
at his office, where he was met by the members OF
the Board OF Finance as well as Mr.. Lewis the Cor
pOratiOn Counsel, and some OF the boDdsmen OF the
missing treasurer A conference was then held
with closed doors Mr.. Lewis gave it his
opinion that, Notwithstanding the abstraction OF
men was liable for the entire amount. Great
sympathy is ielt by the whole community for the
father and father-in-law Messrs. Hamilton and
Clewes. The latter has been for many years an
active member, trustee and vestryman OF Grace
church. The abscOnding treasurer leaves behind
him wife and four children. The missing bonds
number fifty OF $1,000 each.