The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-08
PRICE TWO CENTS
ANOTHER ROTTEN BUREAU
CORRUPTION IN THE 0OVERNMEx1
PRINTING OFFICE
The Cbarges Of mbczziement, Extortion, q nj
Fraud Fuily susiniucd-A Discrepancy q
$4,000 In the Printers Cash Account.

Tho Cha rges sofEmbezziement, OF Extort,on. . ,<
Fraud Fully Sustniucd-A Discrepa ncy q
$4,000 In the Printers Cash Account.
WAsHINoToN, April IA. NJ. Clapp
Government Printer, was before the House Com.
mtteo on Printing to-day, aud convinced the
committee that his management had been ons
OF Rroes irreguiarity, check cred with emben
Elements, extortions, and frauds OF a stupen-
dous character. He brought with him his cash
book, and claimed ITO have on hand In bis san
$4,000 from the sale OF waste material. which
amount experts say a small sum, consider.
ing the quantity OF material disposed OF from
time to time. The clerk OF the com mmittee was
directed to go to the printing ONCE and count
the funds. They found only $40 2J7 90. Clarp said
ne could not explain this discrepancy yesterday,
out to-day he said II was paid out to hands en-.
ployed In the printing ofnco that be was In the
habit OF using this fund for that purpose and
then restoring the amount. The COMMITTEES
wanted to know under what authority Of law he
used funds In this way. slnoe there was an sp-
pronriation made for that purpose Section
3Sl7 OF the Revised Statutes provides that the
Congressional Printer shall settle tho accounts
OF his receipts and disbursements in the man
ner required OF other disburslng officers. IL fur
ther appeared that persons who had work done
at the printing Office, which is authorized, and
had PAID the money for IL, were not credited
with the payments, as the cash book, balanced
to date, showed.
brother In laws bank Qhe Metropolitan Swings
Bank, Of which Ruff is cashi ~ $2.0OO received
from the sale Of Congressional Records to Con-
eressmen and others. Run testified that the
amount was drawn out Yesterday. The deposIts
were largely checks and orders on the Sergoant-
at-Arnls Of the House and Clerk Of the Senate
showing clearly the source Of the checks. The
clerk employed by Clapp, named Collins. who
nhu charge OF tho funds. said that II had been
IN his possession all the time, locked up In a tin
box.
VIM. 2. Morrison, a large bookseller. testified
tndt ne hnd from to uIrthaaad
nve hundred copies of the decisions OF tbs
Court Of Claims. but not dollar was entered az
that the firm had not been called upon to paw
Clapp said that he did not know that the frTn
owed the ONCE dollar. and that the
neglect must be attributed to his subordinates
Another transaction showed a payment OF S2A
TO Philips solomons. but for what the account
March, 1879, his firm had on hand lot OF blank
books they wished to sell the Treasury Depart
ment put the w provided that all such books
should be purchased by the Government Pint
er. Ihey were purchased, however, and the
expense CHARGED to legal cap paper.
The examination to day bothered Mr. Capp
exceedingly. He was compelled to make ad.
missions "hich criminlted himself, and ner.
vously arose from bis seat at one iime aud at
tempted TO take his account books and leave
the room. The Chairman tod him to leave the
books, as they would have to be examined by
the committee; whereat Clapp pompousy de-
clared he was all officer Of the Senate, ana that
the House committee was proceeding without
authority The scene was exciting; but as ths
GoyernmontIPrinter found 1t useless to attempt
To bully the committee, he dropped hia books
and left In an angry mood.
inc committee are OF opinion that they will
DO warranted In presenting articles of i'm each
m.nt against Clapp, ,enumerating eight counts
IN the articles. 4 he law declares that disburs-
ing ofhcer who fails to render his accounts for
punio money as provided by law shall be deemed
guilty OF embczzlement, shall be nned ths
amount emoezZled and I'm prsoned not less tb an
six months nor more than ten years. The in-
yestieation mas fully sustained the charges long
known about the conduct OF the Government
printing office.