New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-15
SHORT IN HIS ACCOUNTS.
THE FORMER POSTMASTER OF BAYONNn
IN TROUBLE
HIS RESIGNATION. UNDER PRESSURE. LEADS TO
IN INVESTIGATION. WITH THE RESULT
THAT MORE DEFICITS ARE FOUND
THE ACCUSED MANS WHERE
ABOUTS UNKNOWN.

y.
The postofHce authorities M Wasb,,g,o, 49, =,
possession OF evidence that there exists big shorr
age in the accounts OF Edward O'Farreu for,,or
postmaster OF Bayonne. Formal notification of
the deficiency has been served upon OFarreu and
as result he has mysterousy disappeared from
Bayonne. The facts of his apparent defalcation
and supposed flight are known to the former most,
masters bondsmen. City Recorder Patrick W. Con-
nelly. DR.. Samuel l. Myers. John J. Reilly and
James Connolly. and also TO his successor John w
1oo1aru otherwise. few persons in Bayonne are
cognizant Of the disclosures made in the matter
Al the instance Of John T. Dunn, OF Eliza
beth. who was at that time Representative in
congress from the With New-Jersey District
OFarrell was appointed by President Cleveland
on May l, 1885, as postmaster. succeed Fred
erlck Boorman. Republican. whose term had ex-
pred The nomination made despite the
opposition of Senator Smith, who favored the
candidacy Of John w Goddard. OFarrell. how
ever. was supported by the Bayonne and Hud-
son County Democratic committees. The other
aspirants for the place included Colonel Harry c.
Page. Editor Of THE Payonne Herald and John
j. Hickey. who supposed TO be Congressman
Dunn's first choice. At the time Representative
Dunn had branch law office In Hickeys hat store
and when he turned down" Hickey in favor Of
O'Farrell. Hickey sued Dunn in a Jersey City
district court for office rent and clerical services
The Congressman however. won a nonsu!t on tech
nical grounds.
Although the Senate had not confirmed his nom
ination. O'Farre permitted by the PostofHce
Department to assume charge of the office. and
he received temporary certificate postmaster
His candidacy confirmed by the Senate De-
cember 3. 1885, and he received a certificate OF
appointment for term OF four years. lie falle3
70 file new bonds in accordance with the require
ments Of tho postal laws and his four sureties
continued their responsibility Che new postmas-
ter was in dire straits before the expiration Of De
cember His accounts muddcd. and he had
failed to make his returns 10 the Postofice Depart
uent with regularity. An Inspector was therefore
sent 10 examine hts books.
suhlcicn; discrepancies IN O'Farrers accounts to
warrant thorough investigation by the chief in
spector for the district disclosed by the dep
uty-inspecjOrs visit The chief Inspector found
shortages aggregating about $1,000 Before the
official completed his labors OFarrell summoned
his bondsmen for a conference and they agreed TO
contribute the money necessary TO satisfy the in
spectors demands because O'Farrell protested that
he would settle every penny of his Indebtedness TO
the Government. When the inspector finally left
Bayonne. he carried the amount Of the deficiency
receipt for payment in full to date OF his financial
obligations to the postal authorities His suretes
held his notes for the paid.
Matters went along smoothly with O'Farrell and
his bOndsmen for several months following this eX-
and managed to Hguidate ali his debts except about
about So His personal ana political enemies, how,
in the latter part OF June the crisis in his affairs
eliminated. At first his peremptory removal was
ordered but sufficient influence TO allow him 10 re-
sign welded. Then President Cleveland ap-
pointed J. W. Goddard, who assumed charge on
July 10
The Postoftice Department authorities having
audited O'Farrells fnal accounts and discovered
new shortages sent him for collection on Thursday
OF last draft for Sis - 10 cover the aggrc-
gate amount. Notice was served on = farrel, out
he made response. and his bCndsmen were IN
formed Of the fact. As yet they are unable TO act
In the premises because the law allows OFarreI
fifteen days In which TO settle the draft. In case
he fails do So his sureties Will receive ofclal
notice to make the amount good 10 the Government
None of the bondsmen will discuss the matter Tor
publication. , - -
known His wife seen yesterday at her nome,
at No $50 Avenue +, but she said that she did not
know where her husband vas, and that she had not
heard from him since he left home last Tuesday
O'Farrel Is forty years old. BY occupation he Is a
boilermaker and was at one time employed In
the brooklyn Navy Yard. O'Farrell also served two
terms as Councilman from the Fifth Ward OF Bay
onne He Is sergeant in the Bayonne company or
the Irish Volunteers, a member OF the Cathonc
benevolent Legion and the Sarsieid Association.
lust how O'Farrell's deficiencies occurred II not
understood. Several months ago he said that ne nad
accidentally lost $500 without any idea OF what had
become OF the money -, - IA,
OTarrells friends hope that he will return with
SUFFICIENT money to square his Indebtedness 10 the
government before his fifteen days of grace expire
They assert that his deficiency Is not the result or
any desire on part to be dishonest and hint that
he fiture will develop facts detrimental 10 other
besides OEarrell.