New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-05
THE CAMDEN INVESTIGATION
PROMISED REVELATIONS CREATE MUCH
EXCITEMENT

NOTHING TO JUSTIFY THE CHARGE THAT CITY
TREASURER MICHELLoN WAS DISHONEST
YET BROUGHT oUT-sPECIAL MEET
ING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
THE LOCAL SITUATION.
Camden. Dec. (Spec.aD.-The special meeting OF
the Finance Committee OF the City Council was fol-
lowed tonight by special meeting OF the Council
itself and there every indication throughout the
day that the chaos In the City Treasurers office
has created unprecedented excitement Republican
leaders are dismayed, while the Committee o. One
Hundred the so-called reform organization formed
last spring is in high feather over the situation OF
affairs
The Committee OF One Hundred elected four men,
bers OF the City Council last spring and at the sug-
gestion OF City Attorney j. Willard Morgan. who
thought 1t would be good politics. President Potter
appointed three of them on the Finance Committee
giving them a majority In the most important COM
m,tee OF the Council. The move proved to be
boomerang in the present tangle. for when the com
mttee held Its special meeting last night II re-
voked the appointment OF Fred l.. Mead as expert
and appointed Colonel Samuel Hufty at 500 mon III
TO take up the work OF examining the reasurers
books and accounts. 1t was argued by the reform
ers that Mr. Mead is too closely connected with
the present officials give efficient service. al
though he proved OF unusual value TO the City OF
Philadelphia the investigation OF Treasure:
John Bardsey who IS now in the Eastern Peni-
Tertiary. Colonel Hufty has made many expert ex-
aminations In this part of the State in the last
twenty years and he was for one term CITY con-
trollcr so that ne s well qualified to do the work
but those who know say that Mr.. Mead IL just as
well qualified.
At that meeting. too CITY Controller Hollings-
head was raked for his failure TO call the CITY
Treasurer TO account He informed the committee
that far he had been abe TO learn there was
no defacation In Mr. Michellops office lie said
all the checks issued corresponded with the stubs III
the checkbook but the books had not been posted
for months and IL was difficult 10 get any Idea OF
how things stood He said that a new journal had
Jus, been opened to ascertain the condition Of the
appropriations for the current year
BALANCES WERE ALL RIGHT.
I've have been getting monthly statements from
City Treasurer M!chellon certified 10 by YOU sara
Mr. Ellis a committeeman. Did you not know all
this time that his books not posted up?
Yes" answered Mr.. Hollingshead. Il knew H.
but sad nGth nEs because his balances "ef' 'p
DO you not know you should have called our
attention to ms? , .,,,, oil tho TINA
was trying to get Mr. M.cRellon to s,raighten out
his accounts was TOO ienlen; Suppose, pu ,onk
him at his word" 49,,
City Counsel Morgan said the commissions mis- o9n
Philadelphia experts TO 30 over the Sook aHn
Later .re in the evening the reform members Of the
tee OF one Hundred, where meeting was hed.
This resulted in the adoption OF resolution m ~,
dorsing the action OF the Finance Committee In
selecting Colonel Hufty and expressing the nope thhl
OF the city officials would make any co rnTse
and searching investigation. , ,
When these things became known ms morning
there was a hurried consultation among the leaders
CITY Council This was signed by Councllmen H. C.
Sharp. Benjamin Iawton, W. h 1lce, CnarIes ~.
Ellis and Frederick w George. 1t reads: 70 'ake
such action may be necessary or desirable 70 eN-
anime and investigate the accounts OF r r M'c"e'-
lon. City Treasurer. $780,. . -.
In response to the call President Potter at once
ordered the meeting and city clerk Earney mas
tened 10 get out the necessary notifcations
HOT FIGHT IN THE COUNCIL"
There was hot debate and OF words at
the special meeting OF the Council o-nign'. Inc TWO
factions came together in the first real ciasA the!
have had since they took their seats. After bitter
vrangle which was at times cheered by followers
in the audience Cooper 4. Hatch. member from
the Second Ward who defeated for Mayor last
spring when he ran the reform ticket called for
a list OF the bondsmen OF the City Treasurer Be
fore a vote could be taken. at first the opposing
members wanted to adjourn. They lost tneir polhi,
but when the vote was taken on Inc Ieso.uto:i -
developed that the City Treasurer had not had his
bond renewed after his reelection last spring Ineh
Mr. Hatch a bitter speech. moved tnat tie Iesle-
nation OF City Controller HOlhrsshcad be asked ior
formance Of his duty in not requiring City Treas
urer Michellon TO file his bonds. ms motion WAS
lost by a vote OF IS 10 u , 81, s
The Council tonight voted 10 re-empioy Mead ana
dismiss Hufty as the expert accountant 10 examine
the CITY Treasurer's books