The New York herald., 1869-09-16
NEW YORK CITY.
THE COURTS.
UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS COURT.

~e""'~S's'-"s esS"''
The Alleged Revenue Frauds by Officers Of
the GOvernment-Further Adjournment.
Before Commissioner White.
The United States us. Sheridan Shook, H. B. Mat.
teson, W. Il. Boardman ana j. Il. Abrahanls.-
suant to adjournment this case came uD yester-
day. The court room was ned with parties inter-
ested in the proceedings, which were awaited with
some anxiety The charge against the defendants Is
that OF defrauding the government.
When the case was called Mr.. Purdy stated that
Mr. Jackson the Assistant District Attorney was ab-
sent. The subpoena, he sald had been made out by
Mr.. Jackson and left on Saturday IN the hands OF
Commissioner White said he mad just received o
telegram from Mr.. Jackson. dated from Meriden,
Conn.,, to the effect tnat he could not be In court
before two O'Clock. The telegram however, did not
set forth ANYTHING definite
Mr. Purdy requested another adjournment Of the
case.
Mr.. Sedgwick, on behalf of Mr. Shook was
strongly opposed to any adjournment whatever,
and complained OF the hardship to which Mr. Shook
had been subjected. He referred to the numerous
adournmcnts which had taken place Dy request OF
the prosecution and now another was applied for.
He objected to any and thought there was sufficient
number OF witnesses present to proceed with the
case. II was very singular thing that Mr. Kelly
one OF the Witnesses FOR the prosecution, was not
subpGned on Friday last, but no attempt was made
by the District Attorney to secure that necessary
and material witness. He (Mr. Sedgwlck) con-
sldered that should another adjournment be granted
1t was simply denial OF Justice.
Mr.. Pnrdy stated that General Jackson made out
the subpGnas and placed them In the hands OF the
Marshal He would say that he tMr. Purdy) knew
The Commissioner stated that where the admins
the sending OF kilograms to interfere with It, Both
sides-the prosecution and the defence-had their
rights, and when the government brought prose-
cution 1t should be ready to go on with 1t at the
proper time. AdjOurnments were asked for from
time 10 time while the reputation OF the defendants
a qnpadV examination
OF the prosecution to be perfectly in readiness The
government instituted the prosecution, and the Off
GERS of the government were supposed to know what
to do. He considered that the excuse sent by tee-
gram was insufficient to justify postpOnement.
He dd not understand the proceeding on tn the part part
not attend, without assigning any reason i0r his
absence.
Mr.. Purdy observed that perhaps Kelly was the
main witness for the prosecution.
the Commissioner thought that the prosecutor was
guilty Of neglect Mr. Jackson had not teegraphed
that there was sickness in his family there might be
sufficient excuse
Mr.. Purdy said the material witness in the case
was absent
After some further discussion the case was ad-
journed till hali-past one O'Clock.
Shortly before two O'Clock Mr.. Jackson appeared
In court and the case was proceeded with
The Commissioner said he wished to know the ma.
ture OF the charge against the defendants
Mr.. Jackson said the charge was made by an inter-
nal revenue ASSESSOR. F. Cleveland-On lnfOrma-
ton and belief that the four de.endants, while act
the United States under color OF law did wilfully
Oppress }. b. Alexander il Co., and did knowingly
demand other and greater sums than authorized by
law from that irm and did neglect TO perform all OF
their duties. That at the same time they transferred
money that was given them for safe keeping, and
then that they deposited money in a bank that was
not regular government depository. The charges
were essentially expressed in the affidavit as extor
ton and embezzlement.
j. r. Cleveland was then placed upon the stand and
testified as fo0ws-I reside In this city; am as
SCISSOR Of Internal for the Thirty dis
trct; was appointed there on the 1st May last; my
predecessor was Mr.. Il. d. Webster; Mr. Mattes0n
was Deputy Collector: Mr.. BOardman was formerly
an assistant assessor. think under Mr. Webster q
short time; MIR Abrahams was also an assistant as
sessOr according to the records OF the 0ice made
the afidavit against the defendants; the present
Collector is Joshua f. Bailey; his predecessor was
Sheridan Shook; saw this check before CHECK
handed to witness ana offered In evdence.)
Mr. Sedgwick objected to 1t SO far as Mr.. Shook
was concerned.
Examination resumed:-I saw this check about
two weeks ago in my Oflce No. SO Cedar street; 1t
was brought to me by one OF my assistant assessors
MI. Colgate; my assistant told me he got 1t from j.
b. Alexander Il Co.; did not send him for It,
had heard anything about 1t until 1t was brought
to the ONCE
At this stage of the proceedings the Commissioner
stated he was compelled to leave, and adjourned the
tO-mO O'clock