The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-03
HAMILTON'S ACCOMPLICES.
The Whole Financial Accounts To
BE Investigated.
What the Board Of Finance Knew but Would
Not Tell-Were the Collector and Comp
troler Mapping !-The Grand
Jury on the Warpath

WHEN tHTec VI tue iueuDerS or the Board OF Fl.
nance of Jersey City stated to HERALD reporter
last Tuesday night that Hamilton's &c: aicarioa
would not exceed $4,000. which he carried away
in ponds. they were in possession of facts that
proved a deficiency OF $4,000 additional in cash
Such an attempt as this to mislead tho
public not only could not succeed but
it may eventually involve the members
in seriOas trouble They were summoned
before the Grand Jury where they were compelled
TO tell "the whole TRUTH" and this once ELECTED
they had no longer any motive for withholding 1t
from the public through the press. They found
that the Grand Jury was desperately
in earnest, ana when they reflected On
the case they found that every wilful misre-
presentation on their part would be con-
strued unfavOrably to them In the courts.
Every movement OF the members Of
the Board is watched with suspicion by the public
ever since the escap OF their appontee. favorito
son of the PavOnia Club, whom it is quite certain
no other municipaity in the State would have ele-
waited to such position OF trust. The Board can
never evade the responsibility they Owo the tax
payers for the appointment OF such man. In fact,
the Board OF Finance has become notorious
for the appointment OF men, who, 70
speak mildly, need to be watched very closely. Now
that they begin to realize the consequences OF
their unwise appointments, they evince dispO6i-
ton to repentance. AS soon AS MIR. Outwater has
COncluucQ Ills scrutiny VI Tic lulSSluk ITcdSuTcC6
accounts he will be needed for IN the Cot
lectOr's and ComptrOller's Offices Light is already
breaking IN, and the darkness that has over.
Swallowed the financial department. or the city Will
soon De dSpeled.
Collector Love and Comptroller Carman, 1t is
understood desire such an investigation, and the
refusal OF the Board to order 1t would argue com
plicity in the frauds on the public treasury that
would attach to their reputation during ie:
frauds, which date from the 18th Of
December last, unless he had accomplices
in nfhn IMAM nhno Of hann Mt
seems lneXplicabe. In the first place the Office
OF Collector OF Revenues pays to the Treasurer the
receipts OF that Office and receives from HIM q re-
cept Tor the amount thus paid la duplicate. one OF
which the Collector keeps and one OF which is de-
posted with the Comptroller Of the city 1t is also
understood each week Hamilton, as Treasurer OF the
city, made report to the Board OF Finance Of the
amount received, as also the amount on deposit in
the bank to the account OF the city; the Board OF
Finance also receiving from the bank statement
OF the cltys credit was, therefore, in the power
of each of these departments to have a knowledge
Of any deficit In the accounts Of Hamilton,
so far as related to the moneys received
by him from the source from which the
$685. 600 is said to have been taken, and
that some one connected with these depart
ments did have such knowledge it is reasonable to
knowledge OF Hamilton's extravagant style OF liv-
wing lor weeks, nay months previous TO his flight,
Is undeniabe. YET not one OF the financial officers
associated with him custOdians OF the public
the fact to the Board Of Finance or to the Mayor.
the knowledge that Hamilton intended TO escape,
and they pretend they are collecting evidence to
prove That these parties were suborned BY HIM to
aid in the escape. The theory that his friends
now holding Offcial positions and trembling. no
doubt, tor the consequences, Is the only one re-
cOncilabe with all the facts 1t appears that
Hamilton began his plan on the 2sd December OF
keeping all the bank notes sent to him
by the Collector daily, and depOsiting the checks
only, the using OF which would have exposed his
game. This plan OF deposit could be carried ON
by all persons receiving city moneys-say the City
Clerk and the Water Registrar: On all these OH
GERS there is now no check, Their integrity and
their bonds are the sole security. Only thor
Ough investigation OF the accounts OF every branch
of the Finance Department., therefore, will satisfy
the public that there are not more dealcattOnS.
rumor prevailed throughout the city last even
ing that indictments had been found by the Grand
Jury against the members the Committee on
Finance in the Board, as well as against See, the
Secretary, and Morrow, the assistant OF Hamll-
ton. There Is every reason to believe
that this rumOr is well founded. Meantime no
cew to the whereabouts OF the absconding Treas
urer has been found. That there are some Office
holders and politicians who would dread his re-
turn, lest ne might become telltale Is generally
believed Mr.. Outwater Is expected to make his
report on the Treasurers accounts to the Board Of
Finance this evening.