New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-11-13
DOCK FEES MISAPPROPRIATED.
THEFrs OLE RnnKKEEpER BURNHAM.

THEFTS OF BOOKKEEPER BURNHAM.
HE is CHARGED WITH EMBEzzLING $4,000 OF THE
FUNDS OF Tue DOCK OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
OF COMMISSIONER DIMoCK-ARREST OF BURN
HAM.
The report published exclusively yesterday
morning IN The TRIBUNE Of defdicaiOn IN one Of the
departments OF the city government caused much COM
ment yesterday. Among officers IN many of the de-
Partments great Incredibly expressed III re-
gard to The TRIBUNEs story, IL said that In no
wereguated office could a email sum OF money be
stolen without The detection the thief In most OF The
departments, aso little money il discussed. thai not
the opportunity exists Tor any dishonesty among
clerks or other employees Inquiry yesterday led to
tae discovery that the defacaon had occurred IN he
Dock Department, and that funds amounting TO $4,000
had been taken by W. W. Burnham. the oookkeepcr the
department. Commissioner Dimoci prepared the fol-
lowing statement OF the matter in the form OF letter.
yesterday:
To the Edttor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Some weeks since, discovered that
William W. Burnnam. bOOkkoeper and cashier
in the Dock Department, deiauitcT TO
the amount of $4,000. 1 placed the matter
before the pres dent and treasurer. We at once
determined that pubic justice mus be satisfied by the
arrest and punishment OF che defauiter, and
that the City Treasury should rot suffer by the de-
falcatiOn. With Jut the knowledge OF MI. Burnham
the whole amount OF the defacation. No PORTION Of
this money has been reimbursed 10 The
pecunIary loss falls entirely the Commission
The condition OF the Guys accounts with
several parties. rendered 1t at that very preudeia
TO the ety's interests TO make the defacaton pub
lie by immediate arrest OF the offender. We there
fore, while keeping Mr.. Burnham under surye-
lance devoted ourselves TO fastening In every posi-
bic way the time when arrest could be made
without prejudice TO the city, The matter probably be-
came public a result OF what We were doing In this
direction. The deiaulter Is now In custody,
under q warrant charging him with embezzle
nent 1t may be proper to add that Mr. Burnham
has occupied the position Of bOOkkeeper and cashier IN
the Department SINCE Its organization and that
eminent citizens have taken occasion 10
speak 20 the present Comm IN terms OF the high
est commentator OF his capacity fidelity and integrity
The present Commissioners have paid this money for
their OVID satisfaction. We have not done because
we consider ourselves any way legally liable. or be-
cause consider ourselves just sense insurers of
the fidelity OF subOrdnatesfor under the existing
charter have right TO remove any Of our subOrd-
Mates unless cause under the legal definition Of that
term, can be alleged, and alter hearing sus-
tanned. No private judgment opinion which We
may entertain to the character and quality OF men,
and which determines retention OF subOrnates IN every
private business, avail in any public department
under the present law. ii. f. DiMOCK.
Nese- YOr Il. Nov. II, 1873.
in answer TO the question why the arrest could not
have been brought about more quickly Mr. Dimock said
last evening that the receipts OF the office pc
cnl,ar form. They consisted mainly Of wharf
rents; and had the arrest been made at once
after the discovery OF Burnham's dishonesty.
a number OF persons would have hocked
rents 10 the bookkceper There would way
OF dsproVing this. TO guard against such result
collectors were sent and all accounts were brought
up 10 date. so that now the city Will lose nothing.
When asked how any man, with proper super
sum and yet escape detection Mr.. Dlmock said that it
was on account Of the system Of the Department. The
dues come In rragulaTiy wharf rents were usually
paid in bills quarterly but frequently the payments
delayed and delinquent list was made ont When
would be easy matter to take 800 from
collections were made TO credit the previous with
the amount taken and lake the same sum from one OF
be prolonged indefinitely, with little chance Of detec
Mr. Dimock denied that the books had not been
balanced for several years. He said that they were
balanced at the end 81 each fiscal year. He
had made the discovery OF the himself during
BuInham's absence from the Office. About lat January
Burnbam complained Of Illness and since that time he
regularly as 6ookkcepcr be had had fun charge OF re-
ceipts and disburs and possessed the entire
ndence Of the Commissioners.
ARREST or TIE DEFtULTER.
Mr. Burnbam was arrested yesterday afternoon. A
warrant for his arrest had been oDaincd by Commits
souer Dimock who charged him with embczzling funds
OF Dock Department 10 the amount OF $4,000 The
warrant was gwen 10 superintendent WANING
who sent Detective Adams, OF the Police Head
quarters Detective Squad, TO make the arrest.
! The officer went in . carriage to Mr.. Burnhams
residence at No. 2l0 West MISUNDERSTANDING
uinth-s and returned with his prisoner about O'Clock
Mr. Burnham Lad expected the arrest aud made no at
tcmpt TO escapc He placed in cell the first door
the Police Central Office where he remained oil night
The police officials refused TO allow any reporters TO hold
conversation with him We will be taken to court this
/ morning. -
since the establishment OF the Dock Department Mr..
Burnham has been employed clerk and bookkeeper.
Refore that time lac clerk In the Controllers office
undcr Richard Connolly. He owns the large nursery
| i'm West One-buDdred-and-tweuty niDth-st. near
his home and Is said to b. in comfortable circlm-
! stances lie IL reported 10 have been much broken
down by dread OF arrest and exposure but neither he
nor his relatives prior TO his arrest il Ia alleged made
apy efforts 10 restore the taken. Last night how
ever his wife, attended by gentleman called on Com
missioner DInocR and IrRdC proposition, Offering 10
replace all the funds misapprOpratcd II the Com
ssobers would withdraw their charge and secure Burn
hams release This was refused the Commissioner
declared restitution Of the money would not remedy
the evil since the city had already been secured Dy lner