New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-29
IRA C. BELLOWS FACES The CHARGES.
HE VISITS THE DIsTRICT-ATTORNEY's OFFICE AND
GIVES BAII,-wHAT HE SAYS.

HE VISITS THE DIsTRICT-ATTORNEYs OFFICE AND
GIVES BAII--wHAT HE SAYS
Ira G. Bellows, the clerk in the Water
Registers Bureau who resigned last spring
and went West, and who is charged
with having collected water rents unlawfuliy,
appeared at the DistrctAttorney's office yesterday
aud gave bail for his appearance to answer to the
charges made against him. Mr.. Bellows is stout OF
fair complexion and easy manners. He had a
Western air and spoke freely of his case.
He was accompanied by c. Y. Wemple
of Haverstraw, at whose house he arrived
ON Thursday afternoon The bail required was
s. 600 and Mr. Wemple, who swore that be had
unecumbered property worth S45,000 became his
surety. The charge is grand larceny. Mr. Bellows
stated that he had come $500 miles to Iefute the
charges made against HIM. lie had only heard
vague reports of the charges. yet his con-
science was clear and he had returned TO
this city as soon as possible In order to an
swer the charges. He declared that he had no
doubt that he could clear himself He had learned
of he charges through the newspapers but did not
know definitely what the complaint was lie had
never appropriated cent belonging to the Water
Bureau and he courted the fullest investigation.
He felt inddlgnant, he stated. that
a detective had been sent TO look hun up, for he
was ready TO come to this city soon as he learned
that charges had been made against nlm lie had
Public Works since leaving the city, and could
easily have been found. Mr.. Bellows added that he
had telegraphed here as soon as he saw
the report OF the charges against him, and had
been ready to come on on receiving word that he
was wanted. , ,.,
The indictment presented to the DistTct-Attorney
by the Grand jury. Yesterday, against Mr. Bellows,
charging grand larceny, Is based Oh the abdaylt OF
john Ill Chambers, the Water Register Oh tne
Bureau. aud in substance IS:
Tnat on September 20. 1882, Ira c. Bellows was an
enploye Of the Office OF the department. ana occupied
temporarily the position OF cashier, whose duy besides
property Tor Wafer rents that there was due
The city for water rents by the Equitable Lie
bills amounting respectively $i64 40 and 1922 Al;
that day the society paid tue oils Win caeck
Ia Bellows. as the deponent beHeyed received
the aud gave receipts therefor Inc depOnent
further said that from Information derived from an ex~
animation OF the books of the ONCE, Bellows with The
intent defraud the city, feOnOusl' OMITTED 10 make
an entry upon book the payment Of one OF
the bills the for 1922 a. while lie entered the pay
1neu If the other; deppnent further charged,
unon ike Information and belief, that the day
Bellows eloniousy stole from the cash drawer IN the
aeyonenrs Office the sun OF S12Z Al thus making his
casn account for the day balance
Since the irregularities III the Department OF
Public Works have been made pubic, ana espe-
clally since the Grand Jury has begun its investga
ton a large number OF persons have paid their
long-due water rents. Some of these are among the
persons who have heretofore claimed that their
water bills were paid.
The Grand Jury continued its examination of
witnesses III the waterfront FRAUDS yester-
day The foreman informed Judge Cow
ing that the investigation had not been
completed. and although yesterday was
the last day of the September term. under the cir
cumstances ii would not be right and just for the
Jury br discharged until II had finished It's abors
regarding the frauds in the Water Bureau. Judge
Cowipg decided accordingly not to discharge he
jury until Monday. The investigation Will. there
fore be continued and probably ended to-day.