New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-23
USED THE CITY'S MONEY.
A NEWARK OFFICIAL INVOLVED ~ A
SCANDAL.
HE coNFEssEs TO DEPosITING CITY FUNDS TO
HIS own ACCOUNTANT INVESTIGATION
LEADS TO HIS sUsPENsION-fIrs RES
DONATION IN THE HANDS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL

COMMON COUNCIL
Official and business circles in Newark con-
siderably shocked yesterday morning when IL be
came known that julius T. Finger. the Receiver OF
Taxes had been suspended by order Of Mayor
Soy late Monday night. in consequence OF
the discovery OF apparent shortage In Mr.
Fingers accounts The specific charge upon which
Mayor Seymour based his action the misap-
preparation Of 81. 72o in the accounts OF the Re-
celvers Office and further shortage OF $3.50 due 10
clerical errors. making total deficiency OF about
81 800
Under the law the Tax Receiver is required to
transfer daily the moneys collected 10 ;he city
Controller. taking a receip; for The amount. and
also to furnish 10 the Auditor Of Accounts a de-
tailed statement OF such payments. together with
a copy Of the Controllers receipt II has been
customary Tor the Receiver :urn over his coliec-
lions on the following day instead OF complying
strictly with the letter Of the Jaw and or Monday
when Controller Gibson made demand for the
days receipts he discovered the deficiency. In
company with Alderman ogden. he began an IN
vesiigatlon. This disclosed the fact that Re-
ceivcr Finger had taken money from what Is
termed the basket account which he failed 70
turn over 70 the Controller Instead he had opened
the envelopes containing cash. taking the money
therefrom and attached to the tax bill slip OF
paper showing that the money mad been received
by J. B. Finger As he had discovered
the shortage Mr.. Gibson informed the Mayor. who
Immediately suspended Finger and appointed ~ j.
Clark former Tax Receiver temporary re-
ceiycr
Yesterday morning a conference took place at
the City Hall at which Mayor Seymour city
Counsel Price Controller Gibson. Alderman ogden
and Mr.. Finger were present. Mr.. Finger assured
the Mayor that the shortage had already been
made good This verified by Alderman Ogden
ana Controller Gibson. both Of whom declared that
Fingers accounts with the city ut that time were
correct. According to both these officials, Mr.
Finger admitted having used a part OF the citys
money in his private business When his atten-
ton was called 10 the matter he offered certified
check to cover the entire amount, but this tender
rejected. it found that Finger had only
500 in bank. The conference was held for the
purpose OF discovering whether or not criminal
proceedings would be necessary. Nobody seemed
10 be anxious prosecute Finger, but City Counsel
Price declared that under recent ruling OF Judge
Depue the private use Of public funds by the per-
son having charge thereof constituted misde-
meanor whether restitution WAS made or not In
reply to this Mayor Seymour said that he had done
his duty. and any further proceedings must depend
upon the action OF the Common Council
Speaking for the financial COMMITTEE OF that
body Alderman Ogden declared that no further
action would be taken until the report OF the eX-
perts who are examining Fingers books Is
received II any further discrepancy exists II may
not be found until January 20 1877, when me re-
Of ali taxes remaining unpaid. That amount de-;
Quoted from the total amount assessed would
snow the amount paid in
The fact that Finger had attached memoran-
dun to each tax bill showed that he had no intel-
ton Of being dishonest" said Alderman ogden yes
terday. 'for II he had intended he would nave
tentios to what we had discovered. ne admitted
having taken the money and deposited It TO his per
sonal account He offered a certified check for me
amount. but. of course, II was after banking hours
ana we S9Gd not aSsPt short was made good
We reported the matter to Mayor Seymour ana l
Fine 81, is 5artner in the firm of T. H. Madison
& Co dealing in meat for family use at Stand 40
ct IN ,'i by the c6mmon Council on Nay 1875 He
under 500 bonds In politics he , Is Rep9D
entirely to the fact that his brother, LOUIS Is an
Finger was behind his desk in the Receivers Of
fee as usual yesterday In his own behalf he
said An car say Is hat was called od Gown lp 2
regularity But everything IS an rign La ana u1
SS6 the city ,6 FS s my /" n
last night. But you had better see Mr.. Ogden
H ys y9 Sd u6se over this to abe to talk
to you clearly. and Ia only get mixed up II
What do you when you SPEAK Of little little
irregularity which YOU dld not consider an 'rregu-
'' II can't TIA say any more" answered Finger
How did these charges come about?' queried
There were no charges" came the quick re;
b. at the Office tomorrow and will be better able
then TO give you statement
TIE scandal In the receiver OHlce -
with satisfaction by Newark Democrats especially
as Finger was appointed while Mayor Le6kueckei
annears 10 be a confirmation Of their attacks on
Mr. Lehkuecher for though he had no more to 40
with Fingers appointment than dli fresldeh,,
cleveland Colonel Price. the city Counsel. ana
who is chairman Of the Essex County Democratic
Comrnitteo refused to state whether or not ringer
would he prosecuted. 1,,,
At the special meeting Of the Common COUNCIL
last night a communication was received from the
MAYOR setting forth the facts I'm regard 10 the
irrcgularity the office. the suspension or the
,bo Tor anDOinfmpnt OF
Clark 4 motion was adopted referring the matter
10 the Finance Committee. Alderman ogden; chalr,
man of the committee. stated that the books hh1
been balanced and he believed that the city would
not lose a dollar An expert, who IL at work on NE
receivers accounts will make a report al the next
meeting of the Finance Committee