The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-06
A PACIFIC "BOSS TWEED"

MASTERS CLERK, TO SAN FRANCISCO
DAMAGING REVELATIONS FOR POLITICIANS
AND oFrIcE-HoLDERs PROMISED.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
SAN FRANCISCO, May S, 1877.
George NJ. Pinney, who was for tour years chief
clerk 10 Pay Inspector Spalding, OF tho Navy Pay
Ofico in this city, and who absconded in September,
1875, debtor to merchants and bankers here for over
81 00O 900. which no obtained through fraudulent
tcates purporng TO represent Indebtedness OF the
United states to said merchants has returned to the
city and walks the public streets to-day arm In
with his divorced vile.
PINxEY's CAREER.
Pinney was at one time United States Marshal OF
Montana Territory. He camo hero about seven years
ago and obtained u clcrKship in tho mint. subsc-
quentIy. through political influence he placed in
tho Navy Pay ONCE whore no found unlimited opportu-
mites for the exercise OF his great financial talent
Paymaster Spalding. yielding to the loca political In
iuencc associated with Senator Sargent, who was be-
leved DO harmonious hts political prclcrments
with Secretary Robson. consented to DO figure
head In his own Office and Pinney obtained full and
entire control OF all navy disbursements and through
facilities flowing therefrom became prominent re-
publican politician ana an eminent STOCK operator.
ARREST.
When his fraudulent operations were first hintcd at
instituted suit for loel against tho San Francisco
Bulletin, but discovering that tho facts were really
known no fled, taking passage board vessel for
Liverpool accompanied by a courtcsan, and, as was
supposed, carrying with him u million Of dollars. He
got put ashore at Peruambuco, Brazil under pretcrce
OF sending kilograms, and never returned to the ship
or his '.chere annie"
WANDERING FUGITIVE.
He went to Valparaiso and Payta, thence sailed to
Tahiti where he tarried several months started for
the samoan Islands. He subsequently returned to
Valparaiso, where he remained few months longer,
and then sailed for Liverpool HIS sojourn In Eng
land was very brief. He lotcred about London few
days and embarked for Montreal During his travels
no entered into negotiations with the government re-
gardng his return. Assurance having boon received
that he would not DO treated as u deserter he
cludcd to back and stand his trial. He returned
TO the United States visiting New York and Washing.
ton, and has been concealed hero two weeks
WILLING TO
Like Boss Tweed, he Is prepared to s'pcachu on his
political associates and partners In his fraudulent
transactions Tho recent trial Of Paymaster Spading
resulting 10 his dismissal from the SERVICE developed
tho fact that tho fraudulent transactions OF Pnney
hero were principally effected through cotcric Of
whom tho chief was John 0. Hanscom, OF Isaiah
Hanscom the recently deposcd chief OF tho Consruc-
ton Bureau the Navy Department
spalding was retained here eighteen months longer
than tho usual time OF appointment, as no paymastcr
pay director could be assigned to the Navy Pay oce
without first satisfying Senator Sargent that pinncy
would be retained as chief clerk
INTERESTING REVELATIONS ExrEcTED
Montagnia, member OF Pinney's Ring died soyc-
was not expected that pinncy would ever return but
his associates have provoked him by failing to remit
him assistance during his sojourn In foreign ands,
and by being too willing saddle upon HIM the whole
odum OF the attacks OF the press. Ho comes prepared
to make a clean breast OF It, There is an intense cx.
element hero among class OF merchants
bankers. money lenders anu politicians for
Pinncy, during his successful career, pad usurious
discounts on his fraudulent paper, which no cgti-
mato business would warrant aud these high rates OF
interest paid money lenders would imply that they
could not DO wholly ignorant OF tho questionable
standard OF his securities These bankers and cap,-
tasts have urged facilitated Pmncy's return in
hopes OF forcing tho government TO tho acknowledge
mcnt OF his representative character and thor claim
OF reimbursement.
THE ARREST.
He was arrested this afternoon, and gave bonds in
10000 TO APPEAR Monday. 1t is confidently be.
loved that mis- evidence will be fcarfally damaging to
public men here and IN Washington. He Is for tho
present very re,iccnt but tho general scope OF his
testimony has boon conndcntiay disclosed to scrcet
friends.
EXCITEMENT IN POLITICAL CIRCLES.
As developments proceed this evening there is no
doubt that mcmbcrs OF tho House OF Representatives
and the United States Senate and the Cabinet Will DO
involved. The Navy Pay once was the centre OF
wholesale thiovng Tor both personal and political
purposes. The solid men here want Secretary Thomp.
son to make rigid examination of the whole matter
An intimate friend OF Pinncy says he has como back 10
vudicate himself and he will tell the whole story or
fraud ana THEFT before the courts IL he is allow the
opportunity There Is tremendous excitement, and
he has many friends who are jubilant over his