Evening journal., 1897-06-04
THE DOVER SENSATION.


Not since it was brought to light
that Teller p. T. e. Smith had syste .
matically robbed the First National
Bank OF this city for a number Of
years and that his stealings amounted
to nearly $4,000, has anything in a
financial line created such profound
sensation as the story of the dlshon-
esty of Teller William N. Boggs, of the
First National Bank, of Dover, told so
graphically in these columns yester-
day. His steallngs Will amount to
nearly $40O0O,and should his bond
prove faulty in any particular, his best
friends will be the sufferers.
While every one will regret that such
promising career has ended in such
an ignOminious manner but few per-
sons will endeavor to excuse him. He
had every incentive to remain in the
paths Of honesty. He had an excellent
had ne conducted himself properly His
social position was good, and he
was general favorite. He
had a comfortable home, a wife and
children to keep him in the path of
rectitude, but in spite of all these safe
guards he went on taking money
which belonged to other people and
squandering 1t at the gaming table on
race tracks and in stock speculation. He
was warned by the board OF directors
of the bank that his love for play
might lose him his situation, but he
disregarded the admonition and wen.
right on playing heavier and stealing
more all the time to make up his
losses. Finding that he could not dc
so he deserted his home and fed, leav-
ing his wife and children to bear the
disgrace he had brought upon them
That they have the public sympathy
goes without saying
| The question naturally arises as tC
the use of bank examiners. The pecu-
lations of p T. e. Smith covered I
period of many years. The books O
the bank were turned over to the ex
aminer at stated intervals to be by hin
examined and passed upon as to theli
correctness. Still, he managed, by th'
manipulation OF figures, to deceive th'
i examiner and II devolved upon an in
cident arousing the suspicion of th'
president of the bank TO uncover hi
rascality. Then the bank examiner wa
called in and shown what he had over
looked for such long time. In tn
case of William N. Boggs the stealing
also covered several years, aud iron
time to time the ban examiner inves
, tigated the condition of tn
institution and pronounced it al
right. He was not shrewd enoug
to discover the false entries and othe
evidences of a shortage. Bank exam
iners are supposed to do somethin
!, more than audit the books in a casus
? manner. Their mission is to discovo
evidences of crookedness and in dea
ing with such smart men as bank on
cials usually are, it is astonishing this
they do not go beneath the surface al
j. ter, acquainting themselves with tn
5 devious ways of men who so far forg'
: themselves as TO loot the treasury {
the Institutions which give them the
l. living
We have no doubt that, sooner
later, young Boggs will be capture
y and brought here for trial, even If I
n does not give himself up to escape Il
e worse fate Of living a hunted ma
y Were he dealing with personal frien,
4, as bondsmen he might have an oppo
g tunity to escape by reason of the
le friendly feelings overcoming the
sense Of duty, but surety company
q his bond it is safe to presume that e
N traOrdinary precautions will he TAX
le to prevent his escape. and that aft
E. he is captured the government will
ID Afforded all the evidence necessary
ie insure a conviction.
~ 1t Is saddening to think that a you
E. man Of such promise should be
s. false TO his friends and so recreant
he his duty as a husband and father.
oI
When a person sues for $50 900 a
r the jury brings in verdict In his fat
fs for $3.50. it is difficult to determi