The New York herald., 1877-12-25
Popular Surprise at the Excise Treas
urer'S Sudden Disappearance.
HIS RETREAT UNKNOWN.
The Absent Commissioners Peculiar
Real Estate Transactions.
BANK OFFICIALS STATEMENTS:
Mayor Ely and the Comptroller
on the Situation.


New York enjoyed fresh sensation yesterday whom
liz people read the story Of Excise Commissioner
Owen Murphy's embszzlemeut and flight. Among
politicians bank officials and tho thousands interested
u tho excise business the absorbing theme OF
conversation In the City Han and the public Offices gen.
orally excited crowds might be discussing eagery
th,s strange event. Some Of Aurphy's many politcai
friends still took his part declaring vehemenuy that
he s,iner had gone away ION u Spree" and would
return 70 restore the missng funds, or thai no
was iaboring under temporary alteration Of mind.
~ tell you Owen Murphy IL JUST gone away on
httlo lark" city politician aaid "and whom he's
had his tear over he'i turn up all right" And this
ardent friend OF the missng Excise Commissions.
offered TO bet any reasonable amount that inc alb
sen,os would yet up Tho excitement at the City
Hall Increased by y sudden report At noon that
Mr. Murphy appeared, usual at tho Excise Com
missioner Office the transaction OF business and
had explained everything satisfactorily incredible
~ the report seemed 1t Was yet believed BY some
people, mure especially Patrick Mcclure. an At
ssphe oil tho Aidcrmen's Office, confirmed Vt. The
pleasant illusion, however, soon dispelied when
Mayor Ely sent messenger TO tho Excise Board and
rscsved IN authoritative doniaL
WHAT THE MAYOR SAYS
While the Board OF Estimates and Apportionmsnt
was Mayor Ely questioned in reference
10 u statement that Commissioner Murphy had re-
ceivsd ha appointment principally through his rec
ommcndation The Mayor answered with candor:-
..Mr. Murphy, if remember correctly, appointed
syear ago last May, when was in Washington, AS
member Of Congress remember that when tho ap-
pointmcnt Of Mr. Murphy. who was prominent and
influential member Of the party, made thought
vas proper one, and glad Of il, Tor hkod the
man. never heard anything against his char
ac:sr. which I regarded rsproach,
him. The Inst iime saw ar. Murphy days
ago, when informed that be had talk with the
Comptroller In reference 20 the custody OF tho excise
moneys. which, he said. the city treasury could not
LOCALLY take charge NJ. Kelly had advised him
deposit them in some trust company, and told him
that excellent advice l have since learned that
She Comptroller that occasion urged him 10 mako
special trust deposit OF the money and to leave tho
certificate deposit IN the OF the City Chamber
lain In TO further question to the prcba-
BILE removal OF Murphy, the Mayor said that the Ex
ciso Commissioners were not city officials removable
by the Mayor under the charter like the Police and
Fire Commissioners, but must be impeached before
sbe Governor like the Shorins and Coroncrs. The
Mayor had addressed commun cation to the Corpo-
ration Counsel to ascertain what powers no had in
reference to bringing tho case before tho Governor
After Murphys removal Dy the Governor he (tho
Mayor would have the appointment OF his successor
THE CORPORATION coUSsEL's OPINION.
Later In Tho day ino following communication was
reserved from the Corporation Counsel -
Hon. SMITH ELY. Jr.. Nayor:-
80 What be taken by TO iii the place OF Mr.
y sxp.ssed BY you that the OF tho Board
this ZINE be conducted by the full Of
have commune addressed TO you BY
said Board; understand that eommunieatlen that
M oven % Mspy .s % and b r., oSaa y
without referring In detail - tho circumstances under
e@n.sta,es Il law an abandonment q u. oce q Com.
s sAss T. S nell In y sH s s '
Tho the subject referred 90 In tho Of
may be .mDIisd usdsr variety u 1,
ms ms essn ssc ns ~ an an oSs w DC s 9
viousy Icld; where residence element of
s f%ss ss an sAs s'
An instance has occurred the administration OF our
city affairs IN whieh sbandonmeut Of onicc
TSSn.. Fields sts the sy While
AZ saiesmont 1t the se ana his cou not
be A.esr.sinsd Itw.s construed % abandon.
understand the facts in the prossn. bo substan
saney exists In tine Board Of Eseiss by reason tnereo Il
woula Of eourse bo ds..os in ordinary cases g allow
Lus i there y heeessiy for speedy action opinion
suncent basis for your official action.
ma,sh, acts % hs sDDSnsa IN sh1 place oa Mr.
should subsequently return and disavow tho intention Of
20 Be- iSpsri:a Sy your saSins "e,"a apon
viii is's s =. 70 ;hs' % Ssy Ss ss,s BY
vhshsr lie aiming msaosr .; tss Board can aci
and IN ne Of uch o,nsr ia aaes
upon i Ss SS"a Is & % ss
second section u tho 10 provided that sny
he
pon.sd Ia my opsnion that prosion was In.ended 70
cover case II an Ineomplee board by Whatever
nag msmbsrs the Board 20 act while the vacancy
- "a WILLIAM G. WHITNEY,
III Counsel to tho Corporation,
Mayor Ely Will oner reward within lew days for
the apprchension Of Murphy
WHAT TIE COMPTROLLER SAYS
The Comptroller mado the following statement
which 10 pertinent IN this thrco
weeks ago Mr. Murphy called upon aud repre-.
ssnIsd that the excise money ulaiing and
wanted 70 know whether he should pay II into the
ely treasury. ! ADVISED him that, a. tho money
might have 70 be refunded, II should be kept where
under the control OF the Board for purpose.
II It placed Tho ctys hands and then called
- could only reached Ivy course law suggested
thai u should draw interest, and that II should be
placed on special deposit IN the Union Trust CON-
pany that she certificate should be filed the Office
ssosS s a." ssr,Oas cosa he e e,aoasg
and the money obtained. Ihosc we're my suggestions,
made ~ two visits from NJ. Murphy. and think hs
also conferred with the Mayor who approved Of my
suggestions. or course I had power compel
Mr.. Murphy do this, but my object have tns
money IN secure place and YET " bc available for
proper purpossx"
''sRurTISG rMR STABLE DOC. wHKx,n Ac
In Pursuance oi ioslsr addressed .hem by the
Mayor on saturday tns Commissioners VI Accounts
yesterday began Investigation Of the BOOKS OF the
Eycise Board Mr.. Howe sald that the examination
would naturally DO somewhat tedious and prolonged
QUE. aud Lhas they would mpart no Information lor
tiss present. Asssrs. Patterson aud Morton seemed
very much out ot sors. rhey had secret session
aad then passed the following revolutions yesterday
which transmitted the prcsiaents OF the Pachc
Bank, German Exchange Bank and Bovery National
Bark
BoARp Exofsg. 2lD NuLsERRY SfRkkr,l
Sgw fonk, bee -. 1877.
70 PREspkSTs PACIFIC BANK, GraaAN hx
BANK bovsRy NAfioSsL HAM
kesolved Taat the vcrnan Exchange BAnk the Bowery
Nuskonal BAns Pacific Bank. o ths city. be nme
1issely aoshs pay checks drAts Tor
this Board Excise which have
been heretofore and made BY Commissioner OF kx.
eiss Narpny siglcd ~ him treasurer unless
shs sh al nrt approved and
~ the OF George W. Norton President. j.
~ PsstssSsn, Jr Treasurer by order:
CASPAk y. Guild. Clerk 70 ths Board
4
nssovsd That jacob NJ Patterson Jr. he and hereby
ap0sisssd treasurer Of this board