New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-19
IMPORTANT REVENCE CASE.

VERDICT FOR THE GOVERNMENT or 100000
The suit of the United States agt. Geo. w
Thorne, late Collector OF Internal Revenue for Now
Jersey and his suretes, Mclaughlin deceasedl Edgar
H. Wakeman, James Keeney II. 3. Gilbert, and Samuel
L. Prentice, concluded In Trenton, N. j., on Wednes
day This (of which resume has already been pre-
sented 10 the readers OF THE TRBtSE) was brought
against ThOrne and his associates charge OF mai
feasaDce In office. Ii has attracted great degree OF
attention. owing 10 the standing Of the defendants
and to tho large amount OF damages cinined
100000. on Wednesday the District Attorney
concluded his argument and Judge Field charged the Jury
H. said that the bond into which Thorne and his surets
Coectorship Of The Eth District had prescribed that he
should well and truly perform the duties OF his Office pay
over 10 the Government all moneys received and finally.
that his Deputy Collector should also well perform his
by act OF Congress- having permitted certain amount OF
another without the payment OF the tax, and without
eXacting sufficient suretles as required by law.
OF Whisky Were removed from New York to Jersey CITY
and TnOrne was applied to for permit to haye 1t trans
ported 10 San Francisco, California This was the first
transaction Of the kind In this office the first time
whisky dealer III NewY0rk had ever sought 10 bring
whisky TO NewJersey the owner OF the whisky really
wanted to transport to California why bring II TO
NewJerseyi There was no steamer or vessel going from
Jersey City But why should the whisky 30 10 California
No would TO the expense OF removing 10 10 Cali
fOrnia when the time cost more than the whs
Ky. Why apply for permit to transport II TO California;
Because II Transported To any district other than the
Pacific Coast only two months were allowed whereas six
months were authorized to eapse by Its being removed
The last bonds altered that ak months sub
stuted for 30 days With everything 10 excite suspicion
what was the conduct OF Thornef Gardner. the clerk
first saw the bond on his table. lie did not know
how 1t got there. Col. Thorne did. Th0rne did
not ask Gardner II he knew the prlnci-
pal aud suretes witnesses, who were the respOn-
sble parties. Tie question thea occurs, WAS this n
faithful discharge OF the duties OF Thornes Office Z
Whisky 10 the amount Of 1000 bbs upon which the
Government announced TO $4,000, was brought from
NewYork. received by Thorne In Jersey City, and as
soon as the whisky stored he grants permits for Its
Immediate removal TO California. The bonds arc re.
ceiVed; the parties have never been heard
OF since: Thorne says no did not consider
himself responsible. Gardner was only bonded
cerk His duties consisted In simply receiving the bonds
enter them In q book, and record Them. Gardener
earded as Of his duty to look after the surees
Even II Gardener had felt IL his duty To inquire
sniclency OF the suretles II then too late think
therefore may be said 10 bonds taken by Thorne
when the penlts were granted The frauds which have
been perpetratea during the last few years have done
more 10 bring reproach this country than anything
which has happened since the framng0f The Consultation
OF the United States Hundreds OF millions Of dollars
stolen yearly from the people by frauds w the internal
revenue The frauds most arng and damaging In their
character are such committed ~ cases similar to
this The jury brought Ia verdict III favor OF the Gov
ernment for 100000.