Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-06-24
rha Lioau.s Of oflcisl eraud.

The scene, whilst CHIEF Justice Chase
pro nounced sentence upon the parties
recently convicted N Richmond Of de-
frauding the Govsrnhent through the
operations Of the whisky ring, was i'm
pressive and affecting The prisoners,
four in number, we're ushered in by the
Marshal and assumed position In front
Of the clerks desk, breathless silence
prevailing in the large assemblage whilst
tho Chief Justice pronounced sentence.
John n. Anderson, the Collector Of In
ternal Revenue, man, mp to the time Of
his appointment, bearing COED charac-
ter, and connected with families 10
Virginia proverbial for purity and
integrity OF character, was awarded
the highest penalty known to the law--an
imprisonment Of two years in the peui-
Tertiary and to pay foe Of $40, 000-the
Chief Justice saying that he had beguna
series Of frauds AZ soon as his term OF
Office commenced and continued them
until removed. Patterson, the Assessor,
and Elsom, the Inspector, we're sentenced
30 two years imprisonment and fine of
$4,000. G9uldmau, the other official, in
consideration Of the possibility that be
had, probably. been Influenced by Others,
was sentenced TO only one year impris-
opmept and $1,000 ine. The Richmond
Dispdfch says:sl " liihn At.f
"The condemned at once retired TO the
clerks Office, and there sat without ex.
word for nearly an hour
Elsom, fne-looking,. gentlemanly per-
son, seemed most affected, and buried
his face in his hands. he has beautiful |
wife and family to mourn his disgrace.
Anderson ia also handsome man. He |
betrayed no emotion, except when, later
in the evening, friend mentioned his |
wife. He then burst into tears, and said
he would like to see her before he went
there. Patterson was silent, and occupied
himself in perusing the bankrupt law
GouIdman sat in the window and smoked
bis pipe. At about seven o'clock the
prisoners were placed in an omnibus. In
company with Marshals Van Wrinkle
and LYMAN, and driven to the Libby,
where they are now confined. 1t has not
yet been decided whether they will be
to the Virginia penitentiary
Dr. sent to Albany, New York. The
ury which tried the prisoners was
mixed one, composed of seven whites
md Eve colored men," M ~
With the exception of Callicot, in New
FORK, these are the only defrauding o. e.
,ials in connection with the internal rev.
,nue, as far as we remember, who have
,een brought to punishment The null
itude of evil. doors, so large that Mr.
,chenck says, in his explanation of the
ak bill, the greatest difficulty under
which the Government labors is getting
lonest officials, escape those meshes Of
be law which have entangled less wary
blenders. Whilst the distllation Of
Whisky in this country amounts to eighty
Millions of gallons, the revenue from il
he past year is only $l3, 000, 000, show
ng o loss to the Government of nearly
TAI, 100000 The decentralization pro-
uced by the innumerablel examples
f successful villainys in plundering
he government in the war has permeated
1idely through the whole country, and
Is baleful influence still continues to be
olt. Men who had never been dishonest
ooked on and saw fraud, under the guise
{ patriotism, so universal and success
nj, liniquity so powerful and prosperous,
hat they ceased to attach TO robbery of
he public that criminaliiy which belongs
0 robbery of individuals, and the Gov
came to be regarded as kind
{ common which belonged to everybody
0 general, and which might be tres-
assed upon without wrong TO anybody |
q particular, What everybody who had |
chance seemed to be doing was at last I
onsdered venal offeuse, until finally
ur statesmen are put TO their wits end
, prevent the revenues of the Govern
rent from being mostly absorbed by its
wn dishonest agents, It's to be feared
hat the punishment of few of the
eaker victims ofthe frightful epidemic
dishonesty which continues to rage
poug the public officials, whilst the
reat mass OF them 90 gnwbipped Of JUS
ce, will scarcely suffice to reach the
Dot ofthe evil, which can only be accom-
lished when the morality of the country
ALL be restored to its former standard,
, natural and healIhfal stats Of public