New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-11-14
THE WHISKY FRAUDS.
CURIOUS DISCLOSURES BY COLLECTOR
BAILEY.


between the parties concerned the Kentucky Bourbon
whisky will be gwen TO the public, in adj
Of the Courts full statement Of how the frauds
in whisky were accomplished, how seizures OF houses
supposed TO be engaged in the fraudulent trade was
effected why indictments against principals were Cd
tained and by what influence the offenders have been
exempted from trial then enabled to escape pun
isment guilty II may be recoeeted that few days
ago. some members OF the Kentucky Bourbon Company
were arTaigned for trial in United States Court; tne
defendants present not ready for trial. the United
States DisrictAtorney present and ready to pro-
ceed he sald but also said In effect that he was re-
strained from proper discharge OF his duty by the COM
mand OF superior officer. and IN subsantiation OF TINS
assertion had read the following extraordinary until er
plainedl letter:
"sIR: Understanding that the indictments against
Albert Baisde and others and d. Messmore ana Others.
about TO be brought TO trial at this term, ON er
consideration you are hereby directed to SUSPEND them
until further orders, unless the defendants shOuiu lhe
selves insist upon immediate trial.
"WM. NJ. EvARrs, AtorneyGeneral.'
Under this thereby directed" the Distnct-Attorney
ceased for the time the labors OF prosecution and
went TO Washington, whence lie was called 10 perform
the role Of defendant according to statements publicly
made and generally credited.
This disposition Of the not satisfactory TO tho
public ana they clamored little for light, which
Collector Bailey who made the seizure OF the Kentucky
Bourbon Co., has disposed to give, as follows:
gives pleasure furnish such information as Is
within my knowledge.
an respect of the indictments against the Kentucky
Bourbon Company, bills were found against 10 persons
officers OF the Company and ohersn the early part Oh
last Winter. There was criminal term OF the Court
until the June following. The trial Of the indictments
was originally set down for the first day OF the term Dut
Pohed f f the second Week Of the term X that
Mcssrs. Barney Butler Parsons special counsel In me
case with the DstrictAttorncy in Court IN readl-
TO proceed the witnesses having also been g9t to-
Rether by me When the case was called inc
procured from the court postpOnement OF one Week'
when again called the prosecution being ready as before
II again postponed the instance OF the deiendans
for one week When called stlll asan, ~ Was Nae @
postponed the motion OF the defendants, the GONcn
n was so near the close OF the term that Judge Batch
ford unable Try g. being Obliged TO Try cases IN
which the defendants had been for long ume lying III
at was then set down for the first day OF the Noyem,
again been gathered by and were In attendance in
Court and the Attorney and special were
again ready proceed But letter had been receiver
from AtorneyGeneral Eyarts directing tho postpone
ment md sinitey OF the trials
Collector Bailey then reviews the manner by which other
parties against whom indictments had been procured for
being engaged as alleged in whisky frauds. escaped the
consequence Of their acts by accommodating laws or
convenient Interpretation OF them. Says the Collector
"Tho following tho facts in relation 10 the failure to
bring indictments against tho members OF the firm OF
Watson, Crazy & Pike 10 tral These indictments were
found in tho month Of April or May last:
brought together by me from Maine and New lamp
shire but the District Attorney was very III ana u vas
postponed 10 later day ~ the term. ON the day for
which 10 had been finally set down Tor tral e witnesses
laQ n
meu was ready 10 proceed but II was tonhu tht ma
trfal witness had been spirited away by tho defendaut-
This fact brought 10 the notice ~ me Judgt ana no
directed Juror 10 be withdrawn, and the eut over
the first day Of the term TINS month On ms dAy
before named and from Massachusetts, had also about
fortnight before the day OF Trial by det9cuFc assnc',
secured the missing witness. and placed him. where ne
j., iu LudOw-st jail, for sale ping ne hhnWg
confessed that he had been induced by me oner 3t MG
the ~ about to keep OF the way on the
when The cnso was called thi. term defendants
intcTposed the excuse Of the SIC ncss OF or o9 one M
remaining A. they do to this time, In the city After
po,tponcmcn motion was made 10y GGifnu,h ~ U1uI
sci that they be discharged from tral uhdef tne hulc
ment the ground that the proceedings IN the case NJ
the former term, described above amounted To yer
the Judge and the defendants were discharged. lro'
ceodngs stl pending against them however Tor ODD
structug col Justice IN procuring the absence
Of the witness In the manner described
Mr. Bailey thus clucIdates the case OF Mr. Blaisden
Baisdel was President Of the Disers' Association in
this city and had warrant from Secretary MeCulloeh
to travel over the country and establish dstlery aso-
Citations. and perhaps would have done all things
promised and expected but that Collector Bailey seized
his establishment the ground that he was mauutactu'
ring whisky frauduently and also seized the establish
ment operated by the Secretary OF the Dsers Associa
ton which gave end TO the organization designed 10
facilitate tho collection Of the reyeuyo tax Collector
Bailey goes on 10 say:
"As 10 the trials I'm the case OF Alvah Blaisde had
Witnesses in attendance at tho June term ana was Iny
/
Again at the opening OF TINS term the WITNESSES ~oio "
attendance and the Government ready 10 proceed.
The letter Of Attorney General Lvafts before cIerrcu
TO- directed the suspension Of the trial. and 80 the matter
stands The facts are true Ia respect OF other cases
District Attorney Courtney is now absent having
been called To Washington 10 answer complaints made Tor
fine most part by the defendants in these cases or pre-
sumo he would give additional Information In Ills posses
sion as to the subject OF your inquiries
Tho most remarkable circumstances connected with
these whisky transactions just s that the parties
b.va hae If I'm
empoy Mr. Courtney United States District Attorney
Mr. Fullerton was his associate IN the OF Com
missioner Rollins, Deputy-Comnissoher Hariahu anu
others Blaisde and ekap are attached to the Secret
Service Department Of Revenue ana the Collectors VINO
were mixed up in the matter are in and out OF ONCE.
CThe nurry of ex Solicitor Buckley 10 prosecuting ocer
In this city short time ago might win peitnehy oo
addrossod 10 revenue officers horcabOuts: ION when
side are you today for the government OF LOT 'ho
frauds y
LETTER PROM COLLECTOR BAIIEY TO THE SEC
RETARY OF THE TREASURY.
NEw-YoRK, Oct. H.-MY DEAR SIR;
acknowledge receipt OF your KIND note IN response 10 my
note Of the 23d instant Since that letter was written
have gained some additional knowledge as to the matters
snoken o which seems worthy Of your consideration
have heretofore stated you the facts IN connection
with the employment OF George Berry DAVIS IaSt
Surng by combination OF dstillerS and rcctiers WHO
had been made feel the weight OF the law by me- 10
make charges known by them and him TO DE ialssi "s
also the fact that he committed for perjury, anu
fed 10 avoid being brought trial, to Canada also
referred in my last letter to the fact that one o. T. ie
ton had been sent to Canada TO induce Davis 10 return 10
this city II is now alleged that Yeaton In this service
WAS acting under an Official commission OF some Sort or
under Official instructions. and was authorized 10 "Sso
Davis that bail should be procured featon was at any
rate acting as am informed letter Of introduction
furnished by counsel alleged to be officially employed oy
the Department to investigate and punish whisky fraus
Bail WAS furnished for Davis accordance win INC