New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-07-15
REVENUE FkAUDs-A CARD OF DISTRICT AITOR
" NFY COURTNEY
To n> Editor orTb Tribune.

To ta> Editor Of IN, Tr6une
SIR: desire to answer categorcally the ques-
tons propounded in your issue of to-day.
First How many under indictment for yo-
lations OF the Revenue lawP
Answer-snce June 1867, up 10 this date "A persons
have been indicted FOR oenses against the Internal Rev
onue laws In the District and Circuit Courts.
Second How long have they been under indct-
ment 2"
Answer-he oldest indictment for these ofcnses, un-
disposed OF, is dated June, 1861
Third "wlry are the indictments not tredw
Answer-Twenty-slx have been tried and 10 convicted.
In the Spring OF 1867 Congress rescnded the provision
then existing for tho payment to Judges from other
Dstrcs for services this District and the only Judges
who have since June 1861 held either Circuit District
Courts In this District have been Judges Nelson Benedict
and Blatchford The latter has been employed every
Courtday since the lst day OF October In the District
Court Judge Nelson declined both in the Fall and the
Spring to hear any jury trials and the only sessions Of
the Circuit Court at which 1t possible TO try any
criminal causes have been during days in the months
OF October February April and May last when Judge
Benedict sat In the Circuit During those ~ days. Is
criminal tried, OF which of
ertortion against Inspector occupied In its trials
six days and another Of CONTRIBUTING three days l6
cases being tried in the remaining 10 days.
In the District Court criminal have been tried
until this Spring in q number Of years. But finding 1t
impossible to procure any jury trials in the Circuit Court
succeeded In having the month Of June devoted TO the
trial OF criminal In that Court Judge Batchord
sat for that purpose days the month OF June during
which time against 81 defendants tried
case occupying four days think these facts furnish
| obvious explanation why persons were tried
Fourth Why Is 1t that Justice TO have fed from
the u s. District Court as at present managed by met
Answer not prepared TO cOnoede that Justice has
fed from the Court referred to- at any rate, do not
manage IT, the management OF that Court ever
one OF the duties OF the DlstrctAttoney. am the first
I'm years who has tried any criminal In that Court
In most Of those justice seemed to be present As to the
Circuit Court the flight has been OF judges rather than
Finally Why has the case OF the Kentucky Bourbon
| Company been so mysteriousy hushed mp ana post
Answer The members of the Kentucky Bourbon Com
pany were indicted January, 1868 moved their eases
Tor trial. at the next term of the Circuit Court In
February, when application for postponoment
was made by defendants counsel and
granted by the court The cases transferred TO the
District Court and moved them In that court m June
Application again made for postp0nementD y DEFEND
ants and opposed earnestly by myself ana the court
finally down the for trial the nd ON That
court ready proceed with the trial. when the Court de
ened 10 take,up cases OF that magnitude 80 near the
close when all the OF prisoners In jan
had been finished Jail cases are always dSposeu Oh
first for obvious reasons OF efforts To press THESE
caAos 10 trial the columns Of THE TRIBUNE bear abundant
and faithful testimony They have not been hushed up
and there has been no mystery about their postpone
ment Yours, &c, SAMUEL a. CoukISkl,
g. Attorney for the Southern District OF New York
kew- York. July II, 1860,