New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-01
WORKING A PRIVATE SNAP"
LOOSE CONDUCT OF THE PATENT OFFICE.
On. BAooN's MEMORY AT THE MERCY OF DEMO
CRATIC "1NvEsTIG AToRs"-FAT GIFTS FOR
oPFIcIALs-FUNDS IN KUKLUx CUSTODY.

DR. BACoN's MEMORY AT THE MERCY OF DEMO
CRATIC "INvEsTIG AToRs"-rAT GIFTS FOR
orFIc1ALs-FUNDS IN KUKLUx CUSTODY.
nv rxLS,RAra 10 the Tribune!
Washington, Sept so.--The extraordinary mplics
ton conveyed the other day by Patent Commissioner
BENTON J. Hail. in talk with local reporter that
there had been a deficit In the accounts Of the late
Dr. Levi Bacon. and that some or most Of the money
had Injured to the benefit of the Republican Campaign
Committee. indicated almost criminal ignorance OK
the affairs of the great public Office of which he Is he
chief that Is simply amazing, while further inVestr
cation of the natter promises TO develop ieosencss
of administration and condition of general Dcmoefato
rottenness which somewhat startling.
After . Illness OF some i've or SIX woeh,
Mr. Bacon died June Dc 1857, and on the very
next day investigation Of his accounts was ordered
by Secretary Lamar Schuyler Duryea, Chicl OiorH
Of the Patent Offica; Henry C. Huntcmann Mr. Bacons
assistant, who had, charge of the books and money
during Bacons Illness; James L. Norris. one OF the
bondsmen and George W. Evans, discussing officer
of the Interior Department conducted the socalcd
Investigation which was closed on June 20, 1851
covering the short period of only three dsys-iepnr-
ing an alleged shortage of $4,000. The result was
announced with flaming headlines in the organs Of
the Administration on July ..
In addition his widow, Bacon left two sons, both
over age both intelligent and educated men, who were
not permitted to be present either In person or by
representative while the good name Of their father
just buried was being passed upon While the CON-
mitee several efforts made by friends OF the
late financial clerk to ascertain the prospects for his
rehabi alton, and they were emphatically assured
that It all coming out right When, after this
of blun the accusations were made public they
called, July 4, in great distress upon Secretary
Lamar who showed considerable Indignation and said
that such statement that made BY the investga ing
committee should not have been made The views Of
~ tc1o~ lo ~. SQH pher
Of the socalled investigating committee as 10 the three
days inquest and TO the existence Of any deficit
were given In The National Republican" of July %
Said he, among other things:
The committee appointed by Secretary Lamar made
an inventory Of contents of the safe used by Mr.
Bacon but did examine his books This examination
should been before announcing the result Of
the inventory and until the footngs OF the journal kept
by showing the daily receipts OF fees, are vef
fed Of money received by him dur
ing his eleven and one-half years service (about
s1 900 000 definitely determined and compared with the
aggregate OF his deposits it is impossible to say Just
how his accounts stood at the time Of his decease In
my Judgment and 1 not alone in this such an eX-
animation will reveal that Mr. Bacon not In arrears
Considerable more than a year has passed and yet
no effort has been made clear the good Of Dr.
Bacon. The reason is not far to seek, when IL IS
remembered that Democratic officials and clerks are
known to- have received large advances from the
Government moneys n question-large sums moreover
which wee not advanced DN the Nlf. tdcOn- hei
erencc has been ali eady made TO the advances Judge
Martin v Montg merry received. His brother,
William b. Montgomery, IS said to have received over
81 900 and Henry C. Huntemann the assistant fnan-
cisl clerk who had charge Of the books and money
DUNG Mir. Bacon's last illness, charged with having
assisted himself TO the tuue OF some 5000 or more,
al hough he was himself member of the committee
vestigate" the shortage The share Of senator
Voorhees, benchman Albert j. Kelley, chief of The
asst nmen division IS sad to have been over $1,000
OF Sc after his ind gnant remarks of last week,
Commissioner Hairs Admi,i uat Oh must be blame
less in h 5 maDaseme.t of the funds. McanWh ie'
there are of costly vino suppers, of building
Ope atons Of expensive hOrsefesh, Tor which Inter
Deinocl acy The Patent Office funds have been found
generous and oonven cnt basis.
still IL is cons ing 10 know that ms REFORM
Administration has new placed such funds under a
of an accomplished custodian whose past record IS
an unanswcrabIc guarantee that TO him at least
public office will be public trust" Jacob roe
lich appointed from Representative Roserss district
nancial clerkshp formerly held by the late Mr.
Bacon. The deadly shotgun and = Arkansas tooth
coinplshed gentleman than clerks pen, for 1t is
asserted that not many years ago he was member
of those bands of patriotic KukluX which nightly pa.
frOlled his n"tve state One of his gallant masked
tion 10 the authorities, and with his own shot
Gun Mr. Froelic generously afforded him his passport
% a happier world. price was set upon the mui-
derer's head, and he fed 10 Texas but was sJbse-
ands of hard hearted United States Marshal only
TO be acquitted by the customary jury of Rebel SYM
pathzers. To tho blOod-stained hands Of this mid
night assassin the Administration of President Clcve
and cptrusts the custody of Government funds
But. tfen, must remember that nowadays
public office is private snap