The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-10-18

Mint Indictment by the Grand Juyy-ColOse
Fremont at Mariposa-Tns Consultation for Ore
sss-Ne Elections Celebrations Of LVayettes
Dirthday and the admission Of California to the
Union.
The most notable event in California during the
usst fortnight has been the death of Chief Justice
Murray Of the Supreme Court. His demise was not
Hexpected. For over week before il took place
In death was momentarily looked for. Judge Murray
Vas young man, about thirtyfour years old, aud
possessed talents as jurist Of very high order.
He was scholar of varied and extended learning,
alawyer Of prominent legal attainments, and mani
tested in all his written opinions vigorous and
sFudite style. Judge Murray came originally from
Binos, snd eerved with distinction in the Mexican
campaign. He held lieutenant's commission in
one Of the ten additional regiments raised by Con-
gress, and soon after the termination of the war
came TO California. He has been on the bench al
most continually since his arrival, and like every
other public man in this State did not escape the
assaults Of the unprincipled and malignant.
The Grand Jury for the Northern district Of Cali
1c1nia his at last found testimony sufficient to
rant the finding of q presentment against Mr..
Hayasztby, late meter and refiner in the branch
mint located in this city. Mr. Haratzthy has been
arrested and held to bail to answer any indictment
which may hereafter be found by the Grand Jury
He is charged with embezzling eight thousand and
ninety ounces of gold bullion, and one lac of gold
(vA)oe 81 .000,) both amounting to sl51 $50. The
amount abstractej 10 very considerable, but it's ex
tent has been known for over two months, and like
vice the conduct Of accused in transferring to
The United States property to meet the deficiency
I have got much TO say on this subject, as II con-
Germs the interests of the people the Eastern States
a. much as it does CaiforDiaHs Enough has been
learned here to cause attention to be directed to
mint establishments elsewhere But in Haratztny's
case 1t must be borne in mind the depart ent over
which he presided, melting and refining, had neces-
sarily the largest waste, and it is now made patent
Shat gold TO large amount has been abstRcte1 by
persons employed in other departments where it
would be impossible to remove any without instant
detection Haratzthy is alone found to be default
or, and II is not impossible he has been victmized
by individuals not under his control in the mint.
This is indeed very doubtful theory, and does not
yeoCmn end itself favoraby to unprejudiced specta-
The branch mint in this city truly has fallen to
very de plorahe condition. No confidence exists in
The public mind as to the manner its various de-
psrtments are conducted, and the d'strust reaches
from the highest to the lowest individual connected
with the establishment Every day brings forth
some fact or circumstance TO show how loosely it's
operations have been and are even now conducted.
The United States Grand Jury will continue dill
gently engaged in iDvestig atng the nature OF the
oefslcatiJns that are known to exist. Harattzhy's
affair was supposed 70 be the only one at frst. but
suspicion has reached Others occupying higher places
in the Institution and disclosures have been made
public affecting the integrity Of the heads of other
departments. The Grand Jury, who have acted with
great judgment and fidelity, are in consequence
obliged 70 look into the entire condition of the mint,
and we are daily expecting some action on their
part that will put on their defence others beside The
late melter and refiner Since the departure OF the
development" more complex in its character than
ks predecessor. The facts of the last case are as
follows. A. Szabo, Hungarian, engaged in
the assayers department was in the habit Of
depositin1 amalgam gold in the mint through the
hands Of two brothers named Blum, tailors in this
city. On the third of the present month Szabo left
with them gold of the description referred to- value
1855, which one of the brothers deposited 10 the
mint where Szabo was employed, and returned ~
the latter the certificate or receipt for the punt
The certificate was returned to one OF the Blums
On the eighth following to draw coin therefor,
when II n alleged this person entered into conspi-
racy TO extort money from Szabo, not only re.
fusing to pay over the sums drawn from the mint,
but intimating trouble had been experienced in en-.
deavoring 70 obtain the sum called for by the GER
f6ca.e. In common with every resident Of the
city, the Blums heard Of the noise caused by the
deyoIopement of rascalites in the establishment,
which brought the suspicion to their minds
Shat Szabo had embezzled this amount from
his department. The Blums, thereupon demanded
co. 900 hush money, and szabo became 80 alarmed
that he actually signed a receipt for $1,000 for
ranch OF his N San Mateo the next adjoining coun-
III u
tile for the property in accordance with their con.
tract, Szabo refused TO give one, and the former
complied with their threats Of exposure by making
known the transaction TO the Superintendent OF the
Mint. The result was twofold-Szabo was imme-
diasely discharged from his employment in the
mint, and, by advice of counsel, protesting at the
ame time his innocence of the imputed embezzle-
ment, had the Bums arrested on charge Of con-
spiracy 10 extort, and grand larceny. The premi-
nary examinations on these grave issues are now
being conducted before the City Police Court,
and are only noteworthy. for the perssten-
clined answering questions, on the ground that
they would crminate him, or, in other words, tend
20 bring about criminal prosecution against him
. reflex Of his conduct while examined as q witness
before the United States Grand Jury. IL should be
stated 70 give perfect rtsue of oil that has trans
pired in mint affairs during the past fortnight that
Bzaho was brought as witness before the Grand
Jury after his discharge from the establishment, 70
give such Information az be possessed in relation 10
the improper practices known 10 have been carried
on there. This man may be innocent. and perhaps
has been made the instrument, unwittingy 70 carry
out the nefarious designs of others holding
elevated stations in the employment Of the
general government but his conduct in 10.
cljnng 10 answer questions that would
had 10 the detection Of TIE guilty, and
invoking the protection OF the law for that pur.
pose affords strong ground to suspect him Of com
picity in the pecuatons Of the last few years. In
the pubic mind be stands CONVICTED If dishonesty,
and as long IA he adheres 10 bis presen. course SO
long VIII tnat OplnlOn IEOn1 Hu
OF toe mint books II appears that over si2 900 had
been deposited by the Rlums during the past six
months, which was Szabo's money, though the how
and whereby he obtained IL is wrap ped In mystery.
II appears now that Bein, convicted Of cmbczzng
1888, by his own confession, from the Coiner's
department, must have abstractcd AZ least 10000
from the institution; for that unfortunate nan, who
has been made the scape goat tor the sins Of many
others in addition 10 his own, Is possessed OF pro.
perry 10 a large amount. II would seem he bad no
other means 70 obtain OK 'cpt by peculaton from
the mint.
The above afhirs have led 70 many strange sur.
mises, more particularly as Szabo was the party
commended by the officers Of tho mint az the sue
ccssor OF Mr.. Hara'zthy az mciser and rchner-he
expressing himself wiling TO take his predecessors
accounts rendered, and which same accounts
were $4,000 in error against the United States
and enable tie establishment 10 proceed with coin
age without delay. Fortunately the specious pro-
position, backed as II was by the recommendation,
did not meet with favor. Mr.. "A. Garrett received
the post, which he would not accept until his prede.
a wprp efr.trh ,oI GOD