The New York herald., 1870-04-03
HE CUSTOM HOUSE SMUGGLING.

The Cuse Of Wolf md Others-A Big PIac er
Rot UnGcvciOped but Hitherto Unexpesed-
How the Tribune Covers Up Its Tracks.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HHRALp:-
An article appeared In the New York Tribune yes
terday morning purportng to expose the smuggling
operations Of IsdOr Wolr Mirtii May and Others
who have been held by Commissioner Osborn to
await the action Of the Grand Jury. The article
breathes OF Custom House creation, and the Tribune
Is very ready tool OF that institution when
anything lends to its credit but refuses TO publish
The sworn testimony Of witnesses in a crimi.
nal case because the evidence tended to imn,i.
cate some OF the officials in that department.
and cast strong suspicious on the efficiency and
good faith Of persons employed there, who can
not justify their conduct In n0t bringing to the
notice Of the law ocer OF the district the criminal
evidence against the parties now under $4,000
bail to await the action OF the Grand Jury. The
Tribune has no doubt right 70 suppress-as It in-
variably does, and which 1t notoriousiy did In the
Wolf smuggling case-all and everything re-
fecting on the management OF that insti.
tuition as matter Of favor to tho Col
lector; but what l have to say is vouched for
by sworn facts and circumstances, and the article
yesterday morning IN the tribune Is piece OF pre-
sumption on the part OF Custom House officials
worthy Oh better cause IL Is well known to the
ley, Cnlef OF the DETECTIVE Service of tSe Treas.
ury Department. IL entitled to the credit Of bring
Ing these three men tWolH, May and Maresl
70 justice, aH0 all the Anonymous correspondence
Cooper Institute meetings and Bible House hail In.
tervlews OF L. J. NJ, with $3.50 bonus ana $4,000
propositions to the contrary Notwithstanding. Had
not Mr. Whle!ey worked up this smuggling case ana
brought to the attention OF the Commissioner the
Custom House artlcie referred to Ia tue Tribune
would never nave appeared, and the honest mer-
chants and the public al large would have mover
known OF is existence. 1t Is the moeties resulting
Tom civil proceedings which the delicious
morses Tor tte surveyors ana Collectors suDoroi
Mates to roll under their tongue, and not the sup
preston OF the illegal traflc which acKnow edged
sniugglerS are engaged III. Is 1t not, Mr..
Editor, pretty spectacle for an oficer Of the
customs TO seize sixteen cases OF smuggled
goods ana pretend ignorance OF the claim.
ants or owners OF the same, when the man
they were smuggled goods and that they were
entered under fictitious names Mr.. Editor, the
Tribune article is all bOsh, and is cover TO shield
the Custom House officials from their luke ness
and neglect duty In bringing scores OF well known
smuggers to criminal justice. am glad to see that
the HERALD is not subsidized or influenced by cpl.
curean financial or political favors. but publishes
court proceedings let them hit any where or any
body.
The Tribune article also divulges some little
very prominent alleged count, dlstIngulsned
consul OF very powerful and mucn to
be dreaded government. to wit-Guatemala-who
has many letters addressed TO him. some
few or which contain lace coils ars. lace veis,
DC. This iact was known to the Custom House ON.
GERS many days ago: but no knowledge Of IL ever
reached the prosecuting officers, ~ am positively
informed. Colonel Whiteey, however opened one
two Of SAID letters, and thus discovered the du.
table articles SO secretly ensconced therein. Smart
resp0ndence OF the representative OF great govern
Ient, but must await the resolute daring oil supor
dlnate officer, who ~ ever and always true to the
best interests OF the government ne so efficiently
represents. know whereof write, and can vouch
the truth OF the statements Please insert this In
your pspsr. FIAT JUsTlTiA.