The morning call., 1890-10-16
OAKLAND
The County Clerks Shortage
Found to Be About $500.
His Resignation in the Hands Of Friend.
Supervisors Mandamused-No Prosecu-
tion of the Salvation Army.


the accounts of County Clerk Charles T..
Boa rdman, for that official has practically
admitted it, and his written resignation from
the office of County Clerk and Auditor is
now in the hands of friend to do with as
he sees fit. Mr.. Boardman now lies at DR..
Crovley's private hospital at the corner Of
Fig nth and Jefferson streets at the point Of
death.
These were the developments in the case
yesterday and last night. When Boardman
realized his defenseless condition, and saw
that it had been established by the expert
beyond do ubt that he was short in his &C
counts, h e determined to come out and make
a full confession. He had been in seclusion
at the Hotel Crellin, but yesterday morning
a CALL reporter met the County Clerk
emerging from barber-shop at the corner
of Eighth street and Broadway.
Great beads of perspiration stood out on
his forehead and his eyes bore startled ex-
preston. In fact, his whole appearance
was that of a terrible sufferer. His gait as
unsteady and his voice trembled as he tried
TO say Good morning" At the Office ofthe
County Clerk, where his bondsmen and n
number of his friends met him, he broke
down completely and for time was unable
to speak. he admitted that he had taken
some of the funds other than those of the
county, but had no idea that the amount was
anywhere near $500.
FELL IN A FIT.
He said he thought he could easily replace
the money taken from his salary, but
could not. However, he said, that when a
demand is made on him for the amount it
would be Forthcoming. With that he uttered
a wild shrek of anguish and fell in a fit to
the floor, where he lay as a dead man. In
falling his head struck the corner of desk,
producing an ugly scalp wound, which bled
profusely, blood also Issuing from his mouth.
For time lis heart leased entirely to beat.
then he revived a little, but was very weak.
Dr. Crowley, who was in the neighbor-
hood, was summoned, and worked with his
patient for several minutes, and after his
partial recovery he was taken in carriage
to the hospital. Last evening the house
surgeon reported that the patient was very
seriously i'll, and no person whatever, not
even members of his family, is allowed to
see him. He may be confined to his room
for weeks as heart failure is the cause Of his
Illness.
The shock OF the shortage together with
his past illness, was too severe strain to
his overworked system and his heart be-
came affected. The money taken BY him
was undoubtedly spent in reckless living.
During the past few months he has been
drinking to excess. and was also fire.
QuenteT of the gambling-table. over which he
is said to have lost heavily. Yesterday
afternoon some of his bondsmen expressed
their willingness 10 make good any def
cheney there might be in his accounts, and
the investigation OF the expert is being CON-
tinued.
FINANCES NOT THE ONLY TROUBLE.
But finances are not the only source of
trouble at his office, as much Of the work is
far behind and this is the busiest season Of
the year. For this condition of affairs some
of the deputies in the office are equally to
blame with their chief, as several OF them
have shrked during his absence. Some Of
the books are over one year behind, and the
minutes Of the Board of Supervisors and
other things have been neglected for
months.
y CALL reporter learned yesterday that
Boardman had placed his resignation in the
hands of a friend, to do with as he saw fit,
and the document was exhibited. The gen.
tleman in whose possession IL IS does not
want his name mentioned in connection
with the affair." but has offered to turn 1t
over TO Boardman'S bondsmen, to do with as
they see lit. They will probably present 1t
to the Supervisors at their meeting this alter
noon.
Boardman has already given Deputy
Clerk krauth written authority over the
other deputies in the office, and the latter
will endeavur to Straishten out the affairs of
the Office before election day. The Super
yiSorS did not do any thing in the matter yes
terday at their meeting, but Will hold a
special meeting this afternoon to take such
action as the bUndsmen OF BoaTdman may
deem necessary.
SUPERVISORS MANDAMUSED.
The members of the Board of Supervisors
4
a manner that is liable TO cause them some
trouble. 1t will be remem bered that the
board recently advertised for bids for build
ing an addition to the County Jail. Five
were received for the iron and steel work
and. barring one faulty one, the bid of Bige-
low q Little OF San Francisco was the low
est. However, on Monday last, when the
contract was awarded, the bid OF this firm
was ignored and z. Ii. McGrew OF East
Oakland secured the contract Now Blge-
low 81 Little have had the Supervisors
made defendants in an action for writ Of
mandate to compel that body to award the
contract to them. The plaintiffs charge
that the bid of McGrew was $3.50, while
their bid was SS17S, and therefore ask that
the Supervisors be compelled to give them
the job.
Samuel J. Thomas was yesterday SEN
fenced to two years Imprisonment at Fol
som by Judge Green, for burglary in The
second degree.
THE SALVATION ARMY.
The members of the Salvation Army who
were arrested on Tuesday and on the day
before for ObstructlDg the streets while
holding their nightly services were all dis
charged in the Police Court yesterday morn
ing, as the District Attorney refused tC
issue complaints. His deputies said they
were not sure of a conviction, and hence
would not be bothered by the cases. Over
this the Chief of Police is very wroth, anC
says that henceforth lie will not cause the
Army's arrest, as it will DO no good. The
SalvationiSts were much pleased at theil
good fortune, aud last night they held @
larger meeting than usual, and told of thell
persecution to 4 large aSSemblage on the
street corners.
Engineer Littlejohn, whose sudden dlsap.
pearance created wave of excitement il
IA ilroad circles, has been heard from il
Chicago and it is said he intends to return
to Oakland. His accounts with the Brother
! hood of Locomotive Engineers have been
found TO be all right.
On Monday evening next the Democrats
will have masS-meeting at the Oakland
Theater, at which Hon. f. b. Pond, theil
nominee for Governor, will speak.
THOSE CHINESE SUBSTITUTES.
The five Chinese substitutes who were ar
rested at the County Jail where Deputy
Sheriff Morrison attempted to exchange
them for prisoners who illegally entered the
State were arraigned before Judge Gibson
in the Superior Court yesterday. Attorney
r. NJ. Fitzgerald, who represents them, OBJ
jrcted to having them called to plead unit
the demurrer to the information agans
them had been disposed Of. Judge Gibson
said he had doubts of the legality of the in
formation and continued the case until thi:
morning to hear arguments as to that fact.
The new steam-sch0oner Sunol, which
will take the place of the Mendocino
wrecked at Humboldt a few months ago
has been launched from the Alameda ship
yard. The vessel went into the water sixty
eight days after the keel was laid. Her di
mansions are: 141 feet inches over all, 3.
feet inches beam, and she has a carrying
capacity of $4,000 feet of lumber. l.. f
White of San Francisco is her owner, anG
she will be iittedwith the wrecked Mendo
| cino'S machinery.
On the 23d inst. a Republican rally will b.
held at the Park Opera House, at which w
X. Davis, and possibly w. II. Jordan, o.
Oakland will eak.
BUILDERS EXCHANGE.
Articles of incorporation OF the Builders
Exchange of Oakland and Alameda Count,
were filed in the County Clerks office yes
ierday. The corporation is formed 'for th,
encouragement and protection of the build
;t,e, i,,tn nta in, nolr