The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-30
Col J. O. P. Burnside, Chief Disbursing
Clerk of the POstOftice Department, Ar
rested OH Charge of Embezzlement.
A Democrat Explains the DilatOry Ac-
ton on the Contested Cases.
Both Houses Will Have QuOrums and Busi-
ness Will Go On as Usual Next Week
Other Washington News.
A VICTIM OF SPECULATION.
Colonel j. o. p. Burnside Arrested on a
Charge of Embezzlement

Colonel j. o. p. Burnside Arrested a
Charge of Embezzlement.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, May 29.-Colonel j. 0. T.
Burnside, disbursing clerk of the Postoffice De-
partment, was arrested to-day at the instance of
Postmaster general Gresham. He is charged
with being defaulter to the government in the
sum of $45OO His arrest has caused great
sensation. He is as well known in the city as
any man in public life, and was very popular.
He is about torty-fve years of age, handsome,
and possessed of the highest social qualities; his
lot appeared to be most envious one. He was
commander of the National Rifles, one of the
crack military companies of this section,
and his family was prominent in Washington
society. His fall is deeply regretted
1t appears that his defalcation began over
three years ago, and has since been kept up sys
tematically. Only small sums at a time were
taken, but they ware taken with persistent regu-
larlty. He has been investigated several times,
but without anything against him being discov-
Grad until now. Speculation was the cause of it.
His fine horses and the excellent style in which
he lived could not be paid for by his salary of
50, 100, so he drew upon the governments funds.
any thing wrong until day or two ago. 1t was
then discovered that Burnside had been bitten to
the extent of S., ,OOG by wildcat oil speculator
named Lewis, who few days ago, jumped the
town with about $3.50, 600 of the peoples money
in his possession. When this was discovered,
Gresham sent to Burnside and asked him how
he could afford to go into such speculation.
The reply was that both he and his wife had
means independent of his salary. General
Gresham was suspicious, however, and ordered
an investigation, resulting in the discovery of a
shortage of about $40, 900 1t was q surprise to
everybody including the officials of the Post
Office Department. The prominence of the ac-
cused man has made his crime the talk Of the
city. His young and beautiful daughter was re-
Gently married the occasion being one of the
most fashionable of the kind that has occurred
in this city for year.
Colonel Burnside was born in Indiana, but
moved in early life to Illinois. He was gallant
officer during the war, and a warm friend of
many Illinois public men,
At his preliminary trial. Burnside was held
in $45 900 ball. and givenun 10 o'clock tonight
to furnish it. At that hour heis to appear before
Judge Smell with the necessary amount, and,
failing to produce it, will be sent to jail His
bondsmen are good for the amount embezzled.
The accounts of Burnside were audited at the
Treasury Department, and the postoffice
officials say the shortage should have been dis
covered there. Colonel Burnside told the ex-
perts who were directed by Postmastergeneral
Gresham to examine his accounts that there
were credits due him which would considerably
reduce the deficiency.
Burnside was unable to find bail tonight, and
was lodged in iail