New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-11
SUITS LIKELY TO FOLLOW.

available facts for the beginning Of civil suit for
the recovery OF the deficit. Justice Garrison said
he could not furnish such copy: that the partial
report Of the experts made up massive volume OF
facts and figures which would require many days 10
copy. but that the City Counsel could obtain from
this report any data he desired in connection with
proceedings 10 recover the missing funds
The Grand Jury will lose no time In pushing the
Investigation. After they agreed among themselves
TO convene Monday morning TO take up the I'M
pleasant duty. they set the machinery Of the law In
motion at once by instruct!ng Prosecutor Junkins
to subpoena the expert accountants TO appear. II
Is understood that the experts have prepared a re-
Of all their findings in the form OF brief for
presentation to the Grand Jury and VIII show in
detail how the tangle in the treasury came about.
II Is said that they found such Of the hooks
and accounts 10 battle their best skill for weeks
They found that the accounts OF money 70 the ex
tent OF many thousands OF dollars had been kept
upon rough slips OF paper and tucked away in all
sorts OF out-of-the-way hooks and corners. They
found hundreds OF dollars in cash tucked into en-
veopes with only apologies for designating indorse-
ments The books themselves were untouched for
months while money had been paid out for interest
coupons without memoranda OF any sort. Many
thousands Of dollars had been received by the treas
without entry upon the cash books and other
cash had been paid out without any credit to the
Treasurer
Treasurer Michellon declares that he cannot pos
sbly be short in his account: that while he may
have neglected keep his accounts properly he had
never drawn penny from the city save his salary
He explains the gross neglect OF his books ~ the
statement that ne I'll and unable 10 attend
properly 10 his duties for many months during tho
winter and spring OF 1896 but he does not explain
why he failed TO ask for assistance or call the ar
tention OF the city Councils Finance Committee to
the Nor does Controller Hoilinshed explain
why he allowed the citys business affairs 20 drift
into such a sorry slough nor why he failed TO
l.t,.,, a,ys Of tha go
the fact that City Treasurer Mchellon had failed 10
renew his bond when he was reelected In the
spring OF 1895. All these things now rise up 10
confront the officials who ought TO have aNtrted
the present crisis
Ex-Treasurer Michellon has lived in Camden all
his lie and has held many position OF honor and
trust He Is an expert bookkeeper and accountant
a fine penman and a genial. kindly. generous man OF
forty nine years OF age. He has never teen as
sipated never had any bad habits. but. on the
contrary, has been devoted TO his home and
family whom he KEEP, comfortably. but not lirur-
iously He held the office OF city Clerk for ihree
terms before he became City Treasurer. was for
merly manager OF the Camden branch Of the
Gloucester city Savings Bank and has been ,reas ,-
OF many organizations OF whch ne ~ ,'amn S
Der. He has always had the Implicit trust ana
confidence Of men with whom ne hah nms cS
Tressurer FOR four terms Of three years each las
hat Of he's hs II se 10 Su
right that viii ultimately be found 20, 's,. Wa. fr rs
not an tTnDeZZrr OF ln' cry i"'''' '"t w" N''
inaly careless and negligent. -,
The DEVELOPMENT OF these facts came ont or Inc
appointment over "A year ago OF Samuel W. ieIdeh
and George w Block as com:n!ssi)n 10 lNNest-
gate the financial affairs OF the city me appoint
ment was made by supreme Court Justice Garrison
under statute which pro yldes for such commits
sion upon the petition Of twenty-five citizens Who
are convinced that there has been wrong long IN
the municipal government. This investlgdtion nad
dragged along from April to October asst when CITY
Treasurer Mchellon was talei rs witness: Ihen
was brought out the fact that mis- books had net
been posted for months that he mad alowel many
OF the city appropriations 10 be overdrsw'. ARD
could show no adequate vouchers Tor large Suns OF
money which he had doubtless paid out. The APP
pontment OF the experts ana me conseGutn. d.s,
covery of the muddled CONDITION OF his books ard
accounts followed. -,
After Justice Garrisons charge to the oiran1 Jury
T. q C. Bleakey stated that he had positive IN
formation TO the effect that the cx-Treasirers
shortage amounted 10 $1,000. the first Item OF wnicn
was found back In 1891. matter OF $L2p rms
$40 900 cannot BE- accounted for In any way Th,re
is also another 1900 yet unaccounted .or, but
which subsequent investigation may reveal u he
ali right Cash items TO the amour. OF %oW AZ
pear 10 the credit OF the exTrelslrer not acrredit
ed as received public money bu; from private
Justice Garrison alluded In MA rhargs az hnv ,
been paid out without warrant was round ny Inc
experts 10 be represented Ivy interest coupons:
every one Of which except one for Sl2. was round
in the Treasures safe.