The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-02-08
SERIOUS CHARGES
THE LEADING OFFICERS
OF the Metropolitan Bank at Cincinnati.
Tho President and Vice President Under
ArrsSt-Chargsd with Gross Violation
of the hsLAW-AnIiSty of DspoSitorS.

Arrsst-Chargsd with Gross Violation
Il of the sLAW-AnIiSty of DspositOrS.
CINCINNATI, Feb. 1.-THE silence Of thl
tomb prevailed at the Metropolitan BRnl
today.
Itis located in new brown stone struc
ture called the United Banks Building
and occupies the western half at tht
southeast corner OF Third and Walnut.
A wide veStibule Is used jointly by Il
and by its nsighbor in the eastern half o.
the building, the Citizens National Bank
This vestibule, Of course, was open thil
NOR ming, but the door leading from it into
the Metropolitan Bank was closed, and
placarded with the announcement that
the bank is in the hands Of the Comp
troller Of the Currency, acting through
Mr.. Sanders, the United States National
Bank Examiner.
A few clerks could be seen through the
glass door and single WatChman lounGed
at the door Of the sumptuous room Of the
Preaident. Small groups OF people en-
tered the yestbule and looked for mo-
ment on the vacated quarters Of the great
bank and read therein lesson OF the
power Of the National Government.
THE GOVERNMENTS ACTION.
All connected with the bank ssy this
would not have happened il the govern
ment had not caused the arrest OF the ex.
Vice. president. It is true that the arrest
moved the other banks to withdraw their
ofers Of assistance, but 1t may be that
the government acted mercifully in d.
verting their money from the Metropoli-
tan, for the charge made in the warrant
for Mr.. Decamp's arrest does not neces.
sarily cover all that may be In the posses.
sion Of the government. More serious
charges than certifying to false state
ment Of the condition OF the bank may be
brought to the notice OF the grand Jury,
which, by the way, will begin It's session
in day or two.
MIR. Decsmp had no difficulty in pro-
curing boRdsmen to Join him in his bond,
which was placed at $4,000, and he was
only kept in custody while the bond was
being prepared.
1t Is believed by persons who are in 20.
sition TO know, that Mr.. Charles W. Ed
wards, Cashier Z. N. Roth and George K.
Duckworth, directors, will be arrested for
having signed and sworn to the false
statement upon which Mr.. Dscamp was
arrested.
THE PRESIDENT ARRESTED.
Another sensation has been added to the
bank suspension.
1t is the arrest OF Hon. William Means,
the president OF the bank. The warrant
was Issued this morning. but was not
served In the usual manner, out OF regard
for Mr.. Means. District Attorney Burnett
notified him after twelve o'clock Of the
issuance Of the writ, and arranged for Mr..
Means to go voluntarily with his bonds.
men to the Commissioners Office at two
o'clock.
With the Fidelity cases fresh in mind,
and with the proof they gave OF the relent-
less power Of the Government, where
there has been plain trsnsgression Of the
Law, this arrest causes decided sensation.
Mr.. Means has held q leading position
among business men for q number OF
years; has been reputed quite wealthy;
served term as Mayor, when he was
elected, not by party vote, but by com.
binstion whose support was compliment
to their candidate. To have q man OF such
prominence put in peril Of imprisonment,
causes profound feeling.
OTHER ARRESTS POSSIBLE.
There is a fairly well authenticated
statement that the examination OF the
bank books and papers show gross viola.
ton Of the banking law in loans to off.
GERS and others connected with the bank
very largely in exceRs Of the limit allowed
by the law to any one. II is possible that
this wrong doing may have been carried
to such an extent ss to imperil the bank 3
Bolvency. At this tims 1t Is thought that
other arrests will be made, but OF this no
one can speak with certainty because
there has not been time for thorough
Examination Of the banks affairs. In.
specIor Sanders has decided that all paper
maturing hereafter on the Metropolitan
shall be paid at tho National Lafayette
Bank.
City Treasurer Bohrer said this morn.
ing that the 100000 has been in the Met
ropolitan over two years. It was there on
deposit and was not loan to the bank.
"a few days ago." he continued, II began
TO hear rumors Of mismsnsgement OF the
bank, and l then demanded and got col.
lateral security for tho city's deposit. I
hold three certificates Of deposit for S2O,.
1000, $4,000 and $4,000. I now hold TO
secure them $3.50, 900 in paper discounted
by the bank, which Is the same security
taken by the associated banks. The city
will not lose cent"
President Means appeared this after.
noon ut the office Of United States Com.
missioner Dorger with Henry Hanna,
May Fecheimsr, Patrick E. Roach and O.
N. Holloway as sureties, and gave bond
for his appearance in the sum OF $4,000.
The charge against him in the warrant is
the misapplication Of upwards Of $500, 900
OF the funds OF the bank.
1