The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-13
BURNHAMS DEFALCIIIOM
The Department of Docks Furnlshina Money
for the cultivation OF Rare Plants.


Vague rumors which have been in circula-
tion for n day or two past of dofalcation in one
Of the city departments took definite shape yes
tcrday afternoon by the arrest Of William w.
Durham, bookkcepor Of the Dock Department.
on nm AFFIDAVIT made by Commissioner Henry
f. Dmock, accusing him OF Cmbczzling SIS 600
Of the public funds.
The Dock Commissioners wore absent from
their office all day. and no definite information
could be- gained from official sources until near
midnight when Commissioner Dimock. with
the assistance OF Corporation Counsel whitney.
prepared the following statement for the public:
some weeks since discovered that William W Burn.
was dcaGer to the amount Of WEES pscad hc
natter before the President aud Treasurer We NJ once
arrest pun .hmcn q he defSutcr and Tat he civ
the knoNcec of Mr. Bmfnh9m "r any, OF b ficrde w
p1 INTO tS Ciy Treasury The whole amount Of the de
TO us The pecnnary loss tails entirely the Commits.
The condition Of the citys accounts with several par.
nys r"nrr'd ~ hat tine very preudeia to the ciiys
arrest oi the offender We therefore while kccung Mr
tcnipg in every possible way the time when nm arrest
could be made without prejudice 20 the citys interest
mcnt ''"'s'"s "'"' WIN '"u'@@o'
4 may he proper to add tina, Mr. Rurnham ha, occu.
ped me position OF 6ookkecper and cashier the de
pnr'nt ever since rs organization and that some Of
spcak To the present Commissioners terms ct Inc high
g,t COMMUNICATION OF bis capacity nlchty and Integrity
own aiis9cugn Wchavc notdouc sobocau.c we conidtr
insurr, OF the fidelity of our subordinate for undo,
o , cnas'er we have no right to remove any II
OF That term. can be alleged, and after hearing. sus
entertain a. 70 the character and quality OF men AID
which determines retention subordinates In every
under The present law. ii = biaorE
Commissioner Dmock sad that Burnham
was taken III in January last. and was absent
from the ofllcc for several weeks during which
time clerk in the department kept the books
general supervision over the books. but did
not eoniine himself closely to the office and he
censed some time ago TO draw salary.
Mr.. Dimock was led to investigate the books
SIN weeks ago by the discovery that In one in
instance the rent for n certain piece Of properly
mad been collected and not credited. Tho
money was traced to Durham. An examine
ton showed systomatic theft. extending over
several years. When n certain wharf rent was
collected Burnham took tho money and made
no entry OF II. Tho following month he cred
tied the rent money he had taken In the pre-
vious month and pockctcd other rentals. Nv
skiliul manipulation OF figures he was enabled
TO 20 on undiscovered until he was compelled
through ill-health TO relinquish his post.
Mr.. Dimock gives as a reason for Withholding
exposure so long; the complicated character OF
he said. were collected monthly Tor wharf rents
aud many persons would claim to have paid
their rents. were there such a complication OF
accounts rs would give them an Opportunity
II was necessary 10 act with the greatest eau
ton. in order TO ascertain Just how matters
stood.
Mr.. Burnhnm lives ut $40 West 10th street
where he carries on business as a florist and
ro, h eiS leH In MN into ms
who was = manufacturer OF shawls at Is Broad
way twenty-five, years ago. the large tract OF
now stand From his youth. Mr.. Burnham had
strong love for flowers and the passion grew
upon him, until about eight years ago he
determined to go into the business Of raising
plants and nowers for market, At this time
n me- 9Hd lg been in the
salary )f 5000 year. He WIS obliged TO leave
home early in the morning and stay in the city
age the flower business SUCCESSFULLY His gar
dens grew in extent until they covered two or
three acres, and from single greenhouse he
kept spread ing out In business until he had four
city lots under X lass on l3Oth street. and ono
among the leading families OF the city and he
raised vqriety OF e1otics such as no other ilor-
leading florist said yesterday: 1t was i'm
possible for Durham TO make money in the
way he managed lie sacrificed everything 10
no expense in his search for rarities lie
let thousands OF dollars worth Of raro
nowers go 10 waste every year IN order % make
grand display OF blooming plants. No sue
cessiul florist can AFFORD 10 do business for
slow Why. our prohts frequently are mar
plant. You see there cant bc bit u waste
Mr.. Durham steadily lost money on his
flowers. He lived plainly and economically
ana lad 70, expensive habits. Whom be ro-
ceiyed t5.OOHsalary the surplus went into the
business. After, his salary wis reduced to
$1,000 he suffered great embarrassment. Two
years ago his heavily-mortgaged property
passed out Of his hands. and he only held q
lease OF tho ground and Of the neat two-story
cottage in which he lived.
When arrested yesterday afternoon by De-
tective Adams. he was looking after his plants
rs usual He went away with the officer quiet
y. without informing his wife Of his arrest and
II was not until late last evening that she was
apprised OF II. Burnham was aware that bus
the loss had been made good and that he would
not be molested: He Is in deep financial EN-
barrassment and has large list Of ereditors in
this city and In Harlem. He was locked up in
the Police Central Office last night ana wifi 10
tAken 10 Tho JeilnrnOn Mnrknt nuri In.lnN.