The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-08-06
swINDLEs AND FRAUDS


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Unoarthed by the Coast Survey Invehtiga-
A committee Ia now investigating al
Washington the Coast Survey Bureau
and are obtaining much interesting In
formation, going back to the beginning
OF the war. A day or two ago the COM
mittee took up the Engraving Dlvisioni
and several plate printers testified that
they were often kept busy printing
cards for private parties, under the di
rections OF the chiefs. During the gay
season 10 the winter, the plate printers
found very little time to attend to the
business OF the Government owing to
the Increased demand for visiting cards.
In looking over the rolls, the commit
toe found the name Of Rubesam, expert
engraver, whose salary was fixed at $3.50
month. They inquired II this man
was really an expert, and received an
affirmative reply. They concluded To
send for the socalled expert, however
when TO their surprise q beardless youth
answered the summons. When asked II
he was an expert, Rubesam answered
"yes," and when asked how long he had
been In the service, he said Ave months.
"Do you think you earn $3.50 month";"
asked one OF the committee.
"0h, but don't get II, you know"
was the reply.
The natural inquiry then was who
did, whereupon the witness said that II
was divided mp around the office.
This matter was afterward explained
by the Chief OF the sDivlson that the
money was paid to other engravers who
helped the boy engraver out with his
work.
Mr.. sagemuller, Chief OF the lnstru-
ment Division, is a partner Of the firm
Of Fauth q Co., instrument makers, and
II is shown that sagemuller favored this
Arm In the purchase Of instruments,
Machines that cost the government
$1,000 were often almost Immediately
condemned and sold back to Fauth Il
Co. for amsre song. Trifiing alterations
we're made and the same machines were
subsequently sold to the government
sagemuller entered into the scheme ten
years ago poor man; now he owns
large farm In Virginia, we'll stocked
with blooded horses and cattle, and is
considered q very rich man.
Captain G. o. Boutelle, the aseis-
tant chief who was suspended, is try
Ing TO be reinstated. Testimony shows
that during the war, while In command
Of o coast survey vessel, he landed at an
island of the coast Of Georgia and on.
tered q large residence that had been
abandoned by all save the colored ser
want. From this he took plano valued
at q thousand dollars, had II put on
board his vessel, and put II In his own
home at Norfolk. He also took copper
from q lighthouse and sold II at Boston.
A few days ago M. W. Wynes, the
property clerk Of the bureau. was before
the committee and questioned as 10 the
whereabouts OF large number Of chro.
nometers that had been purchased.
These chronometers were valued at
from $500 10 300 apiece. Wynes said
he did not know where they we're, as
they had been given away to the OIL
cials Of the Coast Survey. He was then
asked II he did not have one himself. He
replied afilrma.ively and produced the
chronometer. II was not at oil unusual
for the possessors Of these chronometers
TO have their pockets picked. AT least
they said 80, and were furnished new
ones at Government expense.
In one division the same man was
found on the rolls under two names and
drew two salaries.
The exploits Of Captain Bradford, an-
other Coast Survey Official, are equally
interesting, In the fall Of 1889 he was
furnished q vessel and OUTFIT with $4,000
In cash and sent down TO write up the
Atlantic coast. He went as far as Nor.
folk, and playfully called himself the
pirate Of the Chesapeake. To bear out
this character Bradford got royalty
drunk, and the vessel never left Norfolk.
When Bradford sobered up he discovered
that the $4,0O0had been squandered, and
his family afterward made up this
amount.
An attempt was made subsequently
by an obliglng paymaster to reimburse
Bradford's family. A list OF fictitious
names was given and receipts were
signed and'this account was apparently
approved by Professor Hllgard, but q
jealous clerk In the office called atten-
tion TO the similarity In the chirography
and the money was refused. This was
an auditing clerk. and for bis services 10
the Government no was transferred and
Bradiord's obliging paymaster was put