New-York tribune., 1868-06-16
THE RICHMOND REVENUE Fra UDS.

CONVICTION OF COLLECTOR ANDERSON, IN
SPECTOR ELSOM AND TWO ASSISTANT IN
sPECrORs-sENTENCE OF FINE AND IMPRIS-
ONMENE
RICHMoND June 15.-In the United States Circuit
Court, ChiefJuStice Chase presiding, j. II. Anderson
Collector Of Internal Revenue, j. H. Patterson, AS
sessor and Goldman Shepherd. Richard Anderson
Horato Anderson. McCrcary, Manson and Elson, SUBJ
ordinates were put on trial, last week, for gross
frauds upon the revenue. Col ClarksOn, one of the
largest distillers in Richmond, testified that an
agreement bad been made by the dstillers on the
south side of the James and John H. Anderson and
John H. Patterson Internal Revenue officers of the
Fourth District by which more than $4,000 had been
paid them for granting said dstillers the privilege
of shipping large quantities of spirits distilled by
them without the payment of the revenue tax The
aggregate loss 90 the Government by this arrange
mcnt was over 10000. IL further agreed that
these revenue officers should realize $4,000 annually
for these privileges. Many of their subordinate Of
fcers were parties to the agreement and prohted by
their connection with it, Other witnesses swore
that four distlleres to pay 10000 per annum.
10 be- divided for the privilege Of shipping fve-sxths
Of all the whisky they might dstil free of Govern
ment tax-the revenue officers TO make the arrange
ments by which this could be effected. The testi-
mony against the accused was conclusive. Major
Darlington began his argument for the accused
Oh Saturday and Judge Oud closed for the defense
i'm an eloquent speech in which the witnesses for the
prosecution were handled without gloves. Said he:
They were, by their own admission, a band Of rob
bers and mass of corruption, competing with their
own mash which daily sent up into the air its foul
stencil. Their daily life for months living lie.
How many false oaths did they make in sending in
their returns 7 They ought not to be believed on
their oaths He scathngy commented upon what
he termed the staggering bullying air of one of the
witnesses, TO whose testimony he would be willing
to give more credence if he had shown the slightest
contritiOn for the high crime he had committed ac
cordng 10 his own admission. As prosecutor in
other days he knew this class of witnesses and they
never fail by instinct, to fill gap in the testimony
of the prosecution, if one exists Mr.. Chandler closed
for the Government.
This morning Chief-Justice Chase delivered a
vouminous charge saying that the accused were
set forth as engaging together for the purpose OF
arranging a plan by which dealers should be
permitted to ship whisky without paying the tax.
Ii was Of the smallest importance what were the
rates of PAYMENT for this (so-called) privilege of
defraudng the Government. That was, in the first
instance. $500 per month. making $1,000 per year
IL was aferward raised by the Collector to ST. 900
per year, and subsequently to 10000 per year. The
sidered by the jury. 1t important
that the revenues of the Government shall be
faithfully collected, and no less important that no
citizen accused of misdemeanor should be convicted
except upon sufficient evidence.
The ease was submitted to the Jury, who found n
verdict of guilty against John H. Anderson Collector
Robert w. Elsom, Inspector Alfred Gouldman, As
sstant Inspector and j. III. Patterson, Assistant In
spector.
The Judge then pronounced sentence. Anderson
was fined $4,000 and sentenced to two years impris-
onment in the Penitentiary; Elsom, 5000 and two
years in the Penitentiary Gouldman, $1,000 and one
year in the Penitentiary; and Patterson, 5000 and
two years in the Penltentiary.
The prisoners were taken to Libby Prison. where
they will remain until il is determined in what peni
tentiary they shall be confined. Anderson is
nephew of the Hon. John Minor Bolts. Anderson
and Gouldman were both formerly officers in the
Virginia Penitentiary.