The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-01
A Treasurer's Suicide.

THE CUSTODIAN OF TIE FUNDS OF THE CITY
OF ROCHESTER, TAKES HIS OWN LIFE RATHER
THAN 10 ATTEMPT AN EXPLANATION OF
CHARGES MADE AGAINST HIM.
Especial dispatch to the Philadelphia Times.I
ROCHESTER,, n. Y, June 2S.-George ID.
Williams, treasurer OF the city OF Rocbes-
ter, has committed suicide. During the
last seven months committee OF three APP
pointed by the Finance Committee OF the
Common Council has been examining the
books and accounts Of the Treasurer. The
investigation was instituted in compliance
with a resolution presented to the Council
by Alderman Nj. I'll. FItzsimons, chairman
OF the Finance Committee. There was no
intimetion or knowledge Of deficiency in
| the Treasurer'S accounts, and he had the
| confidence OF taxpayers and officials alike.
The investigation was simply ordered as an
advisory and precautionary measure, "a the
integrity of Treasurer Williams was so far
from being questioned that he had been
thrice elected for terms OF two years each,
and bad entered upon his sevellh year as
treasurer, although man but thirty-fye
years old.
One month ago Alderman Fitzsimons sig-
nfied to the Council the readiness OF ma.
jority OF the examining committee to make
n0uncement he moved, two weeks later, to
increase The Treasurer's bond from its pre-
sent amount, $4,000, to $150,000. He
added that, although one expert on the com
mittce was not yet ready TO report, the other
| two experts had found in the Treasurer
accounts q discrepancy OF some 100000 in
| delinquent taxes, and that there were other
matters which the books and accounts in the
| Treasurcr's Office failed wholly to explain.
! In reply, Treasurer Williams addressed the
| Common Council, saying that, while he felt
| positive he could account Tor every dollar
| OF the trust funds that had ever come into
his hands, it would be hardship for him
| to attempt to, or the Common Council
| TO ask that he should increase his
| bond TO the large amount named.
Moreover, il would be an imposition
on his part TO ask even bis dearest
| friends 10 increase their sureties In
his behalf ut the critical period which
confronted him. even though he might see
clear way out of it himself. There was a
cad tremor in his voice as he addressed the
Council. and because OF the confidence
| which every alderman reposed In him the
Board decided TO refer the matter OF the
| bond TO the law committee, and to take no
action on it as a Board till the third member
OF the investigating committee should be
ready 10 report. AS result it weighed
heavily upon the sensitive mind OF Trea
surer Williams. but be bore his troubl,
with apparent fortitude until yesterday
morning, when the Sunday Tribune pub
lished 10 advance the majority report OF the
Treasury examiners, and intimated that tE'
minority report would contain much more
OF vital interest to the taxpayers. Th
proved too much for the young Treasurer
and this afternoon at O'Clock bis body wa
found near the shore OF Irondequoit bay
about 6ye miles northeast OF Rochester
where he had evidently committed suicid,
by drowning.
A message was dispatched to the city fol
a coroner. and the news spread like wild
fire. In less than two hours after the dis
coyery Of the body all Rt chester app ARE.
to be discussing the important topic. YOU
correspondent accompanied the coroner ant
several OF the Treasurer's bondsmen TO tht
bay, where an inquest elected the following
] particulars Of the suicide, as 1t turns out (