The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-09-08
A PLUNDERER's METHODS.

The defalcation of Capt. How
gate, the disbursing officer of the
signal service bureau, is now
thought to amount to 100000. AS
the amount of last years appropria-
ton is about S450,000. and he has
been at work only five years, he
must have made away with about
one-quarter of the money which
passed through his hands. What
he did with it does not yet appear !;
nor does it appear how he ex-
pected to get out of his
screpe after the first 100000
had gone, or why he did not run
away before he was found out, as it
is plain that he was not watched or
pursued very closely. Nor does it
appear how he was able to deceive
the congressional committee each
year as to The amount of his expen-
ditures, for he continued to receive
during the last four years, for mere
ly carrying on the bureau, the
amount which was drawn in the
first year both for equipping and
carrying it on. His bail has been
raised to $4,000, which ought to be
hard to find. His plan of operations
was to secure duplicate vouchers
from firms of which he purchased
supplies, representing that the money
to pay for them came from the ap-
preparations of two different fiscal
years, and must be kept separate
The populations extended to nearly
every branch of the expenditure of
the $5O0,00O annual appropriation
for the Signal Service. The book in
which the accounts of the steam
yacht Storm Signal were kept is be-
ing examined by experts. This YES
sci, formerly the Modjeska, was sold
by Howgate to the govern
ment for, it is said, $4,000.
Its ostensible destination was to
lay cables, but the practical men in
the office did not have to wait until
the costly and luxurious appoint
| ments were furnished to see that
the boat was not intended for any
service of the kind. The most ex-
pensive rugs, carpets and furniture
to be found in the warehouses of A.
B. Moses, supplied at his prices,
were obtained. The table was also
covered with the very best silver
and crockeryware. Then a first
rate caterer and assistants having
been engaged, the true purpose
of the purchase of the boat was dis
closed, In conjunction with the ia
nous Tippity Wichity Club, gay
parties were given on the river and
excursions made to the island own
ed by the club at the mouth of st.
Mary's river. Here the same splen-
did repasts were served as on the
boat, but in frame house. This
house was once upon time a fix
ture in the rear of the signal office.
1t was found to be in need of
fresh coat of paint. This was
given it by IL painter, snre
dead, named Chamberlain, and
charged to the signal office fund.
The medical stores for the signal
service men are all furnished
through regular army sources, yet a
bill appears in Capt. Howgate's ac-
counts for medical appliances,
bought of city druggist, for about
five hundred dollars. This, it is
said, was for medical stores for the
Gulnare. A bill for boiler repairs
ON the Storm Signal is also said to
have been for work done on the
boilers of the Gulnare. Among the
matters which have not yet been
fully investigated, are the bills for
stationery. The goods supplied are
said to have been of such inferior
quality, that much had to be thrown
away. The bills were high, in in
verse proportions"