The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-04
BLNCKLEY!

How he PrOsecutes his Great Case-He
Is AstOnished at MIR. Rollins "BOId-
ness"
In the New York HerdlFs account of the pro-
ceedings against certain revenue officials which
the lllustrous Buckley has instituted in New
York, we find the following:-
The hour set apart tor the investigation was
O'clock, but long before that time Mr.. Buckley
the Solicitor OF Internal Revenue, who has
special charge ofthe prosecution, was making
preparation for the reception Of evidence against
the defendants.
The examination yesterday took place In q
small parlor (No. 1861 on the second story of
the southern wing of the building. Every pos
sible precaution was taken TO prevent the ad-
mission of the press, and to effect this object
two officers acted as sentinels at the doors.
Shortly before O'Clock, no wever, it was decided
that the investigation should be conducted in
public. AT that hour the case was resumed by
1r. Buckley, who said the proceedings were
conducted on the first day at the instance of the
defense He wished that fact to be placed on
the record.
Mr.. Patterson, who appeared as counsel for
Murray, replied that he believed there was no
occasion for such proceeding, as the sessions
could be public now.
course the defense might adopt in the matter,
but he wished 1t to be understood that he was
not responsible for the privacy which had
marked the last examination.
Mr.. Courtney believed the proceedings should
not be conducted in private. Every body
interested in the maintenance Of the law and
tunity 10 hear or read the evidence which might
be presented IN the case. Hereafter, then, ses
sions should lot be held in the Astor House,
but in some court room. 1t was due to the case
and to all involved IN 1t that the fullest, freest
largest publicity should be given to the testi
mony.
any degree of publicity in the matter.
After some effort to secure posponement,
Mr.. White, couls sci tor Ex-CollectOr Smith, said
that, while ready TO proceed, he would no.
g ,lo,,t
circumstances. He was however, anxious to
go on, and he would show, when an opportu-
nifty presented itself, that 1t was conspiracy of
whisky thieves to ruin honest men.
Mr. White remarked that the reason Mr..
Rollins did not appear was because he knew the
whole thing was conspiracy against him. and
that the charges were false. He had received a
letter from Mr.. Rollins this morning in which
he stated that he looked on the accusations
against him with indignation and contempt, aud
that they were of such silly and evidently
grOundless character that he was forced at times
to laugh at them. That (added the counsel) is
the reason he did not come here. Why, the
principal witness Tor the prosecution, who was
under examination on Tuesday, admittedly
failed to substantiate any OF the charges which
have been made. We DEFY the prosecution TO
prove their charges.
Mr.. Bnckley-The character of the evidence
is a question for the Court TO determine.
MIR. White-Mr. Rollins was perfectly aware
of the fact that this is conspiracy against him,
and he was bold enough not to come.
Mr.. BinckleY-Bold enough?
MIR. White-I see by the newspapers that the
President and the Secretary of the Treasury
have disavowed any connection or official know
ledge of the proceedings, so that if that is the
case it is difficult TO know by what authority
the Solicitor is acting Ill the case.
Mr.. Bnckley-Do ! understand you, sir. to
question my authority 10 represent the United
States in this matter?
Mr.. White replied in the negative, remarking
that the fact he had adduced was merely de-
rived from newspaper reports.
pckIpy-Thp Question jS now one of
postponement. I would prefer to proceed with
the case to-day, l have ouerous duties to
perform in my office at Washington.
Mr.. Courtney remarked that the difficulty
was, that as the charge against both the defend.
ants was one OF conspiracy, they should proceed
together.
Mr.. Patterson was perfectly willing to go ON
with the investigation tomorrow morning.
Mr.. BiDckley-lt appears TO be the will OF all
parties TO have the case postponed, and Will
accordingly consent.
The Commissioner then adjourned the eSaml-
nation till tomorrow at =. NJ, when it will be
held in the United STATES District Court Room
in Cham bers street.
Both the defendants are now out on bail. No
notices to appear before the Court have yet
been served on Commissioner Rollins.