The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-18
ARREST OF MLENNAN.
The Deputy Collector OF Gus
toms at Blaine in Trouble.
CHARGED WITH EMeEzzLEMENT.
Collected $500 Of Custsms Money ana
Neglected to Turn 1e over
- the Government

Posr TOWNSEND March 17.-[Special.l-
Charles L. Mcclellan, deputy collector OF
customs at Blaine, was arrested at that
place this evening by Deputy United
States Marshal r. Deianty and ImmigrA-
ton Inspector Thomas N. Fisher. charged
with embezzlement of government funds.
McLellan's deficiency is reckoned at 500.
He collected duties on government i'm
ports and neglected to send the
proceeds to the head Office. Nc
Lellan's arrest will cause sensation
in Whatcom county and on the lower
part Of Puge. sound where he was well
known and regarded as an honest and
competent official He will arrive at
Whatcom tomorrow, and will probably be
brought to Port Townsend Monday night,
where an informal investigation will be
held by Collector WATSON, after which Nc
Leilan Will be taken TO Seattle for trial.
Within the last few months several
charges have been lodged with Collector
OF Customs WATSON alleging that McLen-
nan had received government duties for
which he had made no accounting to the
general Office. Collector WATSON detailed
T. NJ. Fisher, immigration inspector. to
look into the matter. Fisher obtained evil
dence from importers that certain duties
on small imported consignments had been
paid to McLennan at Blaine
and that no return OF the
transaction was made to the Port Town
send Office. The investigation was infor-
NAL and unknown to McLennan. The
latter has mad no opportunity to
offer an explanation, if he has any.
why he had not made return Of the en-
tries. So far as known at the general
Office in this city, the deficiency does not
exceed $o31, and it is thought that the
amounts will hardly aggregate $50.
The utmost secrecy was exercised by
Collector WATSON to prevent the matter
from being made public until sufficient ev-
idence was ATTAINED to warrant Fisher in
swearing out a complaint before United
States Commissioner Emery, At Seattle,
last Wednesday.
The SUPPORT of entry at Blaine is situ-
ated near the British boundary, and for
that reason II was an easy matter for Nc
Lennon to have skipped across the line into
foreign territory if he received an intima-
tion Of the proceedings. Such q thing oc-
Cured eighteen months ago when the
officers were about to arrest Inspector of
Customs Buchanan on q similar charge.
Collector WATSON said tonight with refer
ence TO the charges against McI.ennon:
The charges involve only Q small amount OF
Doney which McIennap had received from I'm.
portcrs at Blaine. On account OF the
close proximity OF British territory
detailed Mr.. Fisher to !ook into
the matter Fisher secured some evidence which
looks somewhat damaging to McLennan unless
the latter can satisfactorily explain IL away.
viii have to decline to give any particulars
until the case 10 called before Judge Emery, and
personally have no direct knowledge of the
matter II any OF my officers are dereict in
their duties or dishonest. II 10 my aim to punish
them to tho full extent OF the law. II
they are not guilty aud have been imposed
upon will stand by them to the last ditch. Fo,
that reason I do not care 70 discuss the
merits Of the case until I can see Nc
Lehman and AFFORD him an opportunity for ex.
planning certain irregularities.
Another officer was ordered to proceed
to Blaine last Wednesday and assume tenn.
porary charge Of the Office.