The San Francisco call., 1898-04-22

no yielding to a momentary tempta- tion, followed by after regrets; no great and pressing need that overcame the dictates of conscience; no set pur- pose to betray the trust imposed in him with intent to profit thereby. It was simply the steady and systematic appropriation of other peoples money to satisfy the incorporate needs of the moment while he waited for the in- evitable discovery, arrest and disgrace.
 Investigations made yesterday by the authorities lead to the conclusion that Widber's shortage amounts to $114,- 199 S0 Of this sum the greater part has been abstracted from the treasury vaults since the beginning of the pres ent year. Every dollar of it, with the exception of such small sums as were necessary to keep up his reputation as a good fellow" among the deniZens of the tenderloin, has gone into the pock- cts of the bookmakerS at the race tracks and to a few of the select mem bers of the horde of sharpers and blood-suckers who use the racing game as a means for the prosecution of their nefarious trade.
 Having fallen among thieves he fell an easy victim.
 It is more than intimated that the sharpers who handled the money he stole from the city's strong box traded on the suppoSition that his seemingly inexhaustible supply of ready cash was stolen from the treasury vaults, and that he dare not call halt. By this means they were enabled to compel him to make good bets that were never made and to enter into gambling ven lures that had no existence except in the minds of the sharpers who were fattening at the expense of the dis honest official.
 On the other hand, Widber admits that his peculationS cover a period of more than year. and that some of the money went to cover unprofitable in Vestments in real estate and mines, and that the balance was scattered through the tenderloin and dumped at the race track. He has no excuse to offer and offers none. He simply says that he has stolen the money, and that of the vast sum so procured he has not one dollar left.
 As he sat yesterday in the room at police headquarters, where he has been confined since his arrest, he appeared to be broken in body and spirit, and was but a semblance of his former self His eyes were swollen and bloodshot from the effects of recent dissipation and the tears shed and the sleepless hours nassed since his arrest. His hand trembled like that of an old man, and he greeted all corners. strar gers and friends alike, with hanging head and aVerted eyes. IL WAS C. ,. s,lIl that N u, not good to see and one that carried with it a more vivid conviction of the guilt of the man tha did the words of his confession. made to the authorities some hours before.
 Yesterday afternon the facts of the case, or such of them as are now known, were presented to the Grand Jury, and at 2 o'clock that body re- turned an indictment against Widber charging him with felony embezzle- ment.
 Early in the morning steps were taken to ascertain the exact amount of the defaulting Treasurer's shortage. As this could only be done by counting the cash in the treasury vaults it was decided to begin the count at l o'clock in the afternoon. The entire office force was called upon to assist in this stu pendous task. which was superintended by Mayor Phelan, Auditor Frederick, District Attorney Barnes, Chief of Po- lice Lees, Superior Judge Trout, Cap tain Callundan of Morse's Detective