New-York tribune., 1905-08-05
ORDER BELCHER'S ARREST
WAS Il WALL-ST. GAMBLER
Rgtne6 Stescdrt Estote-St0Ie Euen
Funeral Moneg.
TBY TrLEeRArH TO TIE rR1suNE. ]

known agency viii be employed to effect his
capture The police OF other cities Will be asked
TO aid in the search and description of the
fugitive VIII be sent to them.
There longer remains a vestige of SYM
pathy for Belcher among the people of Pater-
The feeling against Belcher became in
tense when 1t was learned that many of his VIC
tins are hard working men and women. whose
life savings he obtained by fraud and forgery.
There is a prospect that scores will be ruined
Indirectly by the Mayors operations in hypothe-
eating the securities of the Manchester Build
ing and Loan Association. of which he was
president
It was said tonight that the association will
bs found TO be hopelessly involved and that a
receiver viii be asked for Most OF the share
holders working people who for years have
been putting all their spare cash in the associa-
tion. Thousands of dollars OF the money paid
as dues were never turned into the funds of the
association. and thousands more will be lost
through fraudulent mortgages.
The widow of Congressman Stewart. the man
who made Belcher prominent in politics. learned
tonight that Beloher had even appropriated to
his own use money intrusted 10 him to meet the
funeral expenses Of her husband and purchase
he plot in Cedar Lawn. Mrs. Stewart is now
unable 70 meet Jhess bills, there is nothing
left Of the funds OF the estate.
The first criminal action against BeIcher was
taken after a conference to-day between Prose
cutor Egzley and the officers Of the building and
loan association al which this complaint was
drawn up by the prosecutor. John c. Roe
treasurer Of the association. made the affidavit
which the charge before Recorder Noonberg
was based.
Mayor Belcher is probably on his way TO
Europe. This theory is based on the statement
made tonight by a friend who accompanied him
m Yrrlr day IL 90
eft on Warren-st.. saying he had important
business 10 attend 10 in one of the steamship
Offices
I have reason 10 believe" said this friend of
the Mayors. who did not care TO have his
identity made public, that Mr. Belcher's visit
10 the steamship Office was for the purpose of
purchasing passage TO Euope He spoke of 60
ing a long trip saying that his health was
bad. and noticed that he greatly worried.
To my mind. he dreaded the awful exposures
that he knew were coming
By direction Of Prosecutor Eugene Emley of
Passaic County. warrs ut was this afternoon
issued for the arrest of Paterson's defaultng
Mayor. who by forgery and other forms of fraud
has feeced citizens of Paterson rich and poor
out OF sums aggregating more than 100000. 1t
is expected that scores of other warrants will be
issued.
The warrant issued by Recorder Noonberg
acting chief OF police and the search for Mayor
Belcher will begin at once.
L was issued on an affidavit by John C Roe
Of Manchester. who charged Belcher with en-
bezzling 81 s2s from the Manchester Building
and Loan Association. This given 10
BeIcher on February % by Mrs Marini in set
tlernent OF two bonds and mortgages made by
Candadi Franchi.
The Investigations Of the last twenty -four
hours have brought TO light more evidence of
rascality on the part Of Mayor Belcher.
From Florida comes the latest chapter in his
criminal career. The story dates back two
years and shows the methods TO which the man
resorted 20 avoid exposure that time-the
very tInls that ne was standing nightly before
the people OF Paterson and telling them that if
elected Mayor he would give the city honest
government
Joseph c Meisternlan sold his business in
Paterson and went to Florida, leaving his fnan-
clal affairs n the hands of Belcher. Among the
property IN Belcher's hands were securities
worth $4,000, in the form of bonds and mort
cages. Two years ago Mr Meisterman in
strUcted Belcher 10 dispose OF them.
When no returns were made, Mr.. Meisterman
wrote % another lawyer. giving him power TO
attorney. IN order 10 head off exposure BeIcher
, dropped MS campaign long enough 10 go TO
Florida and beg for delay, admitting that he
nae sold ths securities and would make good in
serri-annuel instalments. He told Meisterman
EA&t he had used most Of the money in the
interest Of James 2. Stewart for the nomination
% Congress Meisterman was pacated. and
Belcher returned TO Paterson to resume the
Mayoralry fight which resulted in his election
II vas definitely learned to-day that Belcher
has appropriated 10 his use the entire estate
Of Congressman Stewart which was appraised
al $1,000 Frederick Stewart. a son of the Con-
gresham, said yesterday that not a penny Of
The estate was left More than this. the house in
which tae wife OF Mr.. Stewart lived was sold by
beioher- Mrs Stewart was of the opinion that
The rent wss being paid by Belcher to the new
owner but il transpired yesterdav that the new
owner has received no rent for six months.
Il also developed to-day that Belcher had been
gambling in the stock market since 1895, four
years before he first forged the name of the
county clerk 10 fraudulent mortgages. 1t is said
mat his custom was TO lock himself III his
private Office and telephone to local stock
broker. He frequently visited Wall-st, ac-
corcing 70 local operator who has met him
There. even The most intimate friends OF the
mayor were not aware that he gambled IN any
.ern, but now they are prepared to hear any
hing
Nearly al the politice. friends OF Belcher are
coming f5r,yard now with dishonored checks
given 70 them by Belcher in his campaign year
ego las. fail Three checks were for the expenses
o. The election officers and aggregate $500
Nrs francis Latham Z widow, of No. 80
East 32d-st. Paterson. IS said % have lost
Sl5V0 Belcher transacted much OF ne lega!
business ~ Mrs. Latham and she intrusteG TO
aial considera BE sum Of money for investment
IN mortgages she has retained Il lawyer TO
make an Investigation