The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-05-30
AN OFFICIALS SHORTAGE.
Discussing Clerk Burnside. OF the Post-Onice
Depa rtment, n Defaulter.
Hey telegraph to tbe DIspatch.l


~. 10y telegraph to the Dispatch.l
WASHINGTON, May 29.-When the en-
ploycs OF the Posl-Office Department went
to the Office OF the disbursing officer This
morning to receive their months salary
they found the doors closed and the pay
notices removed. Itwas soon learned that
post-oflice inspectors were examining the
accounts OF j. y. p. Burnside, superin-
tendent OF the post office building and dis
bursting clerk, and within few hours 1t
was announced that shortage OF $4,000
had been discovered The Postmaster
General theTeupon issued an order remoy-
ing Superintendent Burnside from Office.
The folowin official explanation OF the
action was furnished: "By direction of
the Postmaster General committee con-
sisting OF A. G.. Sharp, chief post-ofiice in
spector; G.. w. Wells. chief OF division OF
finances, and james T. Smith. chief OF the
bookkeeping division Sixth Auditors Of
flee. examined the accounts OF Colonel j.
o. p. Burnside. superintendent and dis
bursting officer for the post-Office Depart
mcnt. The result OF this examination
showed a shortage OF about $4,000. His
accounts have not been fully audited by
the Treasury Department since the 30th Of
June, 1881, and it is probable that the mis-
appropriation has occurred from time to
time since that date. The Postmaster-GeD-
eral has dismissed hun from Office and
caused him to be oUsted and proceedings
be instituted for ENLIGHTENMENT"
1t has been stated that Burnside was a
frequent investor in the oil syndicate con-
Quoted by Broker Lewis, who recently alb
seconded, and that he lost heavily i'm such
ventures. His salary was only $500 per
annum. and ne was said to maintain an
expensive private establishment. This
might perhaps have excited suspicion but
for his statement that his wife was in re-
ceipt OF a large private income. The
amount OF his bond is 100000, and his
sureties are said to be responsible. A
curious fact shown by the records is
that Burnside's immediate predecessors,
Edwin Olmstead and Frank McCortney.
were removed for embeZZlement. Burn
sides appointment was recommended by
| Senators Edmunds, Logan, Cullom, and
others. and 10y anumber OF representatives.
He was taken i'm custody by an inspector
to-day, and arraigneG Before the United
States Commissioner this afternoon. After
short consultation between his counsel,
,Jere Wilson, and the district attorney, the
latter stated that the defendant would
waive examination and give bail for his
appearance before the Criminal Court and
that the Government would ask TO have the
bail fixed at 900, the amOuntsoi the de-
falcation. Wilson contended that the bail
demanded was excessive, but after some
argument the Court decided to require the
amount named by the District attorney and
said that counsel could petition the Criminal
Court for an abatement. Colonel Burn
side was unable to furnish the requisite
bail tonight. but expects to be able to get
1t tomorrow. Tonight he is at his home
in custody OF deputy United States mar
shall, and has arranged with Judge Smell TO
meet the hitter at his court with his bonds
men at 9 O'Clock tomorrow morning. lie
refused to make any statement except that
the money had been lost in speculation.
He made a fine record as a soldier in the
Union volunteer service in the late war,
having mustered out rs Northumberland.
He is now colonel Of the National Rifles,
popular militia organization OF the Dis
trict OF Columbia.
1t Is said that the system OF auditing
accounts in the Treasury Department per-
mitted Burnside to carry large balances
upon paper without yeriticatlons OF cash
at short intervals.