The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-01-11
lr,cm The New York Herald. !

From The New York Heraldl
~ur AsruuSpINa DISCOVERY WHICH MIR.
n,nprTT MADE AFTER YEARS or con-
rtDENuE--IoAs ABOUT SEVEN HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS.
f1na n the most extensive cases Of en-
hoxxlement that has occurred In the
commercial circles OF New York for
vcara hns lust come to light. The
amount stolen. aggregates. rs far as
Known. nearly $5O0,OO0, and before the
Investigation IL completed u IL not i'm.
probab1e that $500. 900 more will be added
"a The sum. The victim Of this gigantic
robbery Il BENJAMIN IT, Babbitt, Of No.
a Washington street, the widely known
soat, manufacturer, aud the person ut
y. whose door tho guilt il laid, by evidence
aunxrcntly incontrovertible, IL n former
iftisted employee. by name Charles IL,
Dcckwith. The robberies cover n period
~ Ave- ycars--from 1868. the date OF
Deckwith's employment, 10 1873, the
ypWr Of hts dismissal from the establish
ment. Yesterday afternoon Beckwith
~ arrested. and to-day he will be fully
committed for the felony.
The history OF tho case IL replete with
instances Of unbounded confidence In
the integrity OF his dishonest clerk on
The part Of Mr.. Babbitt. and y depth OF
cunning and knavery on the part OF
Deckwith seldom met with. In the car
rying on of his extensive business MIR.
Nbbitt had no partner, but delegated
u Beckwith. who held the position OF
chief book Keeper and cashier, powers
end privileges almost us great as those
employed by himself In the manage
meat of the business. Beckwith super
Intended the filling of all large orders,
engaged and discharged employees,
kept the books of the firm aud attended
10 the payment of the bills. He was
prompt, active and energetic In the dis
charge of his multitudinous duties, and
was regarded by Mr.. Rabbit as an in
valuable man. His compensation was
more than generous, aud he enjoyed not
only the confidence of his employer In
Abusiness point of view, but also his
pccial esteem. Mr.. Babbitt
RARELY OVERLOOKED HIS BOOKS.
On occasions when inquiry into the
! extent OF business became necessary,
verbal Information furnished by Beck
with upon the point asked about was
Bnf1cient Frequently Mr.. Babbjtt, In
Ne extent OF his trust, permitted the
AIsirs Of his establishment to go on for
months Ut time, relying solely upon
beckwith. Once he went to Europe and
Wa gone several months, paying no ut
IGNITION to his business other than re-
ceiving an occasional letter from Beck
With announcing that all was going on
we'll.
This state OF things continued for n
period OF over four years. At last a day
came when Mr.. Rabbit had his atten-
Won called, more by accident than any
thing else, to a small irregularity in the
payment OF bill. The evidence of the
Eregularity was almost conclusive, but
SILL he hesitated, firmly believing In the
honesty Of his trusted lieutenant, and
tEied 70 account for the discrepancy on
toe ground OF carelessness. shortly
suerward another irregularity cropped
out and Mr.. Rabbit, now suspicious,
Hetermincd to make an investigation.
ac then discovered that Beckwith had
ven dishonest, but he never dreamed
u the extent Of that dishonesty. He
Thought that a few hundred dollars at
The most would cover it. Unwilling to
NMm ~ his employ one who had proved
unworthy, Mr.. Rabbit discharged him.
Inns was In March, 1873. Mr.. Babbitt
s.ser TINS heard no more from Beck
w.an anu soon his petty defalcation
mas forgotten.
REopENiNa THE CASE.
- period Of over two years passed be-
Wy VIE iecoilections of Beckwith were re-
s.e1. In the early part of last Novem-
WI detective Timothy Golden, former.
yssttached to the Central Office squad,
~ ~. =. mat time doing patrol duty in
w olxtn precinct, learned of the defal-
aon, and from what he heard in rela-
s son 70 II, became satisfied that the sum
smoaen was much larger than supposed.
" acquainted Mr.. Babbitt Of his sus-
pc1ons, and that gentleman concluded
Whavc thorough investigation made
- nist employed two experts to 90
s;s yt the cash account of his firm for the
saieen months Immediately proceed
~ 'ne dismissal OF BeckwitlA and CON-
ny the result with the accounts for
S e same length of time immediately
~Aowing the dismissal.
asrARTllNc DIFFERENCE WAS FOUND
exlse The latter period showed an
m ss over the former of the large
Is NJ " S8SS,O0o. No possible variation
e business of the establishment for
mMo periods could account for this
RMotn diherence. A research into
BUSINESS of both periods showed an.
S!mately that difference Of one.
49, me sum Id the natural order 3,
~ was large estimate.
ks ~ eyes now thoroughly opened to
lormity Of his former clerks dis.
sty. Mr.. Babbitt ordered the ex.
Ssss,1 make q minute and extended