Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-09-05
RAscALITY RAMPANT.
A Days Deinss Of Dspravsd No
nanity.
A LONG LIST OF MINOR GRIMES.

PHLApEIPHIA, september 4.-The more
the almshouse frauds are probed the more
startling they become. The fight Of Ellis
2. Phipps, superintendent Of the aims
house, has caused genuine excitsmsnt
and here is very uneasy feeling among
certain politicians. None Of them know
where the lightning will strike next This
is the opening step in the crusade against
the gangs Of thieves that have for years
lived off the city and il Is looked upon 40
highly important. The members Of tho
committee Of one hundred who are at the
bottom Of the prosecution have been spsnd-
ing-the day q the almshouse taking vari-
Qua depoahons; supplies which sheuA
have discovered that for several year, past
Many Thousands or Dollars
have been divided among the corrupt mem,
priations for the almshouse were always
ample, but il would seem that not moro
than one-third Of the money meant for the
paupers was expended for their benefit.
The other two-thirds was stolen. PaupeB
have been reduced to the verge OF stafvH-
ton. Time and time again they have been
obliged TO fish in the swill tubs in the food
meant for the hogs for food sufficient 70
keep life in their bodies. They have
Suffered tor want or CRsthias,
and in the coldest weather paupers have
been obliged to go about with bare feet.
Meanwhile the money appropriated for
them vent TO the contractors and members
OF the ring. There are some big fish In the
gang that the Committee Of One Hunared
are after. The reform wave which swcpt
over the city last fall and again in fcbru-
ary has made this prosecution possible.
Superintendent Phipps was discharged and
his term expired on Thursday night, the
very night OF his arrest Old members Of
the Board of Guardians Of the Poor were
Topped oil, and within Q few weeks tho
Board has been under the control OF the re.
formers. The new members at once
Began 60 Leok IHto Contracts
until Morris NJ Matthews, one of the con-
tractors, became frightened and determined
TO make clean breast Of Il, % far as he WAs
concerned. He went 10 members Of the
Committee Of one Hundred and made the
affidavit already published upon which the
warrant for the arrest of Major Phipps was
based. 1t only covers the months Of Janu-
cry and February and March Of the pres-
ent year, and in that time the goods deliv-
cred TO the almshouse were worth only tSt9,
although warrants on the city treasury
were drawn for s. 200. Its said that other
contractors are now ready TO come forward
and tell Of their connection with the frauds.
Many OF them have had no regular bust
ness, but purchased their supplies through
different houses.
This system ofNtealiag
money has been carried on for years. No
one knows how many thousands has been
stolen. Matthews has been contractor
since 1877. and since that time he has drawn
warrants for 900. lie has had no other
business, and he is but one OF many con-
tractors. Even the milk bills were doc
tored. over 1000 disappeared IN January.
boards were eagerly scanned. Chief OF 70.
lice Given telegraphcd q description OF
Pbipps TO supt Walling, OF New York, and
10 the Boston authorities, requesting thst
all European steamers be watched.
Police Opinions Dtnes.
According to the belief Of some officers he
Is already on the ocean, and Of others ne 10
hiding here in the city. The reason why
he has disappeared is this: On Thursday
night when arrested he called upon mtg
on.com panion, Councilman W. Elwood
Rowan C furnish bail. Rowan did 20
bu. told hin, distinctly Il would only bold
GOOD until the hearing on Friday, ana u
bound then he must look elsewhere tor
hail This dishcartcned Phipps, and :..nsr
than risk .he chance Of not getting bail. hs
ouietly slippe! away. The members of the
Committee Of One Hundred, at the bsci Of
the prosecution, are anxious 10 get hoid %
Pbipps They are disposed to Judge MIN
leniently. They look upon him ~
The feel Of . CsSSsps Risg
which is thought TO include number OF
prominent politicians; lie would sign :
warrant. James 7. Brown, the keeper OF
supplies. would swear that the supplies hsd
been received, and then members of the
guardians OF the poor would attach their
signatures The evidence against PhipPs,
the committee say. is complete. but they
hope that Phipps will save himself by turn
ing states evidence. II II said that the ex-
.nperin te ndent has not proaied TO any con.
siderable extent by his official career. ana
the committee are very willing TO let hiw
of II by so doing they can trap the big nsh
in the corrupt pool. Rudolph Blanken-
burg, chsirmau Of the one hundred CON
mirtcc on fraud, says that In his opinion
the peniientiary Is staring number o.
prominent men squsrcly in the lace.
PIundey YeaD1.
PHILADELPHIA, September As the 70:
suit OF search OF the dwelling occupies
by Major Phipps,. the missing supsflntsn'
of goods Of all kinds va, found, including
groceries, cotton and linen goods, bouss'
hold utensils and sll sorts Of supplies fur.
nished the institution.
Mssey ReesvereS.
Ausrrs. Mrss. September 4.-TbomAs
Riley, Chief Of Police, returned to-day froo
AiclIisoD, Kan, with 500 Of the 81 900 isksD
from an aged Austin man By three card
monte men connected with circus which
exhibited here August 2 Riley left 90 u
22i. as soon A the ioss vss made knowa.
He fell In with the circus st Pairbuy, Ne.
byssta. spd went with IL unrecogniSsd 70
MsrysyilIe, and 70 Hiawsths, ksnsas. He
then went forwerd 70 meet II ct Atchissa
spd attached their elephant ring ho!o
end other stock. The propsistors plesee1
innocsnss, bot finally paid down 100 -
compromise. Riley doesn't keep eisPhasts
on bis hands n great while. The lossrs
experiences have cost him about tSe.