, 1876-03-05
THE CITY.
RECORDER STEWART.

RECORDER STEWART.
HUHoRs CONCERNING Hts ADMINISTRATION.
During the past two or three days several uu-
pleaeant 1nnnors have been in circulation to the
effect that gross Irregularities have been for
come time goin. On in the Recorders office. and
tbst Recorder James Stewart is the cause there
OF, Ruuors of this character, at the present
5uoc.uYe. create much more attention and de-
maud closer scrutiny than they would
ordinarily do. Tho peculatlous commit
ted by municipal officials, bank clerks,
md confidential bookkeepers. have within the
past sixty days assumed such gigantic propor-
tions az to incline the cynic to the belief that
general epidemic Of dishonesty is ecourgiug the
nation with violence only equaled by the
narcl, Of the cholera through Southern Asia.
The developments at Washington during the last
tno or three days have not in any manner tended
to diminish this impression, and everywhere peo-
pie shake their heads ominousfy and ask in the
most serious manner, '.Who's tbs next?"
For couple OF days TRIBUNE reporter has
devoted much time to investigating whence the
1utaors regarding the Recorder originated, and
after much patient search he discovered that
they largely owed their origin to statements
made by q former emptoye Of the Office.
GAIT. J. ]. uEALY,
who now holds the position of CLERK OF the
Superior Court. It is asserted that Capt. Healy
stated that some time in 1s74 there WAS de-
ficiency iu the Recorders office which M i'm
pending examination by the County Board wo.ld
have reyealed, and that uealv advanced ont OF
his own pocket $4,000, and put 1t in the
Office safe, thereby covering the deficiency,
inveetieators called. Tie examination was
made. the money couuted, tho books and
vouchers examined. and everything pronounced
lovely. Mr.. Healy. though anxious to serve his
friend and save him from exposure and tho pos
f,bility of an indictment, stated that he did not
propose to place himself completely in his hands,
Alr. Stewagt's loose business habits
we're well understood by him. and
Mr.. Really, in 6-der to protect him
self, made M express condition that he YVES to
Tho Recorder could aot draw my monev on
his salary account without the permission Of his
acco1nmo modating employee Tho latter, by this
bold stroke Of eh1ewanees, IN comparatively
short time, 10 he eaid. recouped himself. lie
did further. He euauled personal friend to
whom Recorder Stewart was indebted, to the
amount Of about 800, to collect tie bill. after
he had paid himself. This story Mr. Healy has
more tban once repeated, though when inter-
viewed On the enbiect friday bY d TRIBUNE re-
affirmed tint he had never made the statements
which other parties assert he did make.
NEXT.
tits 1umored that after Mr.. Hca1y was elected
Clerk OF the Superior Court, Mr. Overlook WAS
L2pojpted to the position formerly held by the
Captain. 1t 1s rumored that tho new Incumbent
AIS rut exercised the same ecrupulous care in
.u.rdtuc the moneys of the Office that his pro-
iecessor did; that the Recorder has had free
tccess to the cash, aud has taken money When
EVER be wanted it and in whatever sl1ms he
pleas ed, and that, too, in excess of tie amount
due HIM for salary. It is rumored that the per-
Fouai habits Of the Recorder have been e1traya-
Gaut, aud that he has spent more money than
his salary.
RECORDER STEWART,
when interviewed on the subject yesterday,
denied that there were any irregularities in his
Dhice. When it Was suggested to him ty the
reporter that IN justice to himself he ought to
insist On thorough investigation OF bis accounts
sud careful counting OF the money, he replied
hat such procedurc would not do, as he was
candidate for reelection, and en Investigation
IT WAS THEN SUGGESTED
5r the reporter that Mr.. Stewart make detailed
statement, setting forth the number ct convey |
.nces recorded during the last quarter, together
distract department.. and then give the current |
expenses Of the Office for the same period. ac-
it with a swot1 statement Of his |
Cashier that the amount OF money which |
his statement showed should be on
land as tho net profits OF the |
,tice for the three months ending March wss
hen in the vault. These three months were |
uosen since Mr. Stewart had settled M his nc
,ouuts to Dec. l, and turned orer all moneys
hen on hard, and DO one asserts that there was
Lny deficiency then. Such an exhibit It was be- |
icved would at once end these rumors.
THIS statement air. Stewart expressed his !
1illngness to make. but said that he could not !
'repare 1t before Monday The reporter urged |
bore who knew A1r. Stewart had no question
hat there WAS at that moment in bank or in his |
ault The total sum Of money which ho then !
wed the equity, ye1 recent disclosures had |
lade the public mind prone to suspicion. and /
erhaps reasonably So and swift to believe evil /
nIeas quickly convinced Of the contrary. Mr.
sewart, however, ins1sted that. owing to tho
ificulty Of making up the March PAYROLL it
ould be impossible for him to prepare such
statement before the time he had previously
lentioned.
Therefore it.seeuns advisable that
THE COUNTY BOARD,
whom Mr. Stewart IL directly responsible, |
,ould, At it's meeting Tomorrow, appoint q COM
lstee for the purpose of examining the affairs
aee ana ss shs1 sSssa sSsR
lat tho Recorder, like other officers,
rs been using temporarily the: money
rived from tho fees which be has
ne oyils Of this risky, though not illegal prac-
ca, however, we're illustrated in the case OF
r. Gage who, with the best intentions in the |
orld- mad locked up the clty's money in securi-
es which he believed to bo good. and which
ere good at the time when he invested in them.
1t which sudden panic in tbe money market
ade yaIueless-
ECCu An INVESTIGATION
that suegested by THE TRIBUNE cannot iu-
re- the reputation Of Mr. Stewart. Uncontra-
cted rumors may, but the official proof that he
IS been honest in the management Of the az
rs of his Office cannot. As has been said be-
Ic, there arc times OF doubt and distrust. An !
Ger cannot now afford to deal with snch
ayies as be would few years ago. His dnty
himself and bis constituents demands that he
mt an immediate and full investigation, !
c&, & one in this case will vindicate A1r. Stew
and relieve public dissrust and therefore it
oul d be ordered at once.
GENERAL NEWS,