The New York herald., 1870-01-21
A NEW WHISKEY war.
Charge Against City Father---AIdermau
Barker Arrested.
A Speculative Prosecution Foiled-The Gov.
ernment Declining to Back Up Specu-
lntOrs in Fines and Penalties
A Blackmailing Operation.

The whiskoy war; or the war against the whskey
ring SO successfully waged by Collector BaLey
year and half ago, and which resulted In annini-
lating the Johnson Kentucky Bourbon Company
Ring, aud exterminatng the whole brood OF vam-
pircs that long had been fattenng the govern.
ment, by derauding the country OF the lawful
tax imposed by the act Of Congress all dstlers,
rectifers and manufacturers OF distilled spirits, has
broken out IN new form. The government had no
reason to suppose, nor had the revenue authorities
here the least suspicion OF the present existence OF
frauds against the department. 1t remained for
Mr.. Warrick Martin and his associates.
Bernard Hess and LIE Due, to 60 beck year
or two and rake up charges against q great
number OF persons. Some OF the parties charged
by Martin Il Go. are beyond the reach OF any prose-
cution, they al the present time suffering from
the penalties INFLICTED upon them after fair trials IN
the United States Circuit and District Courts or this
city, and in which Mr.. Samuel G. Courtney was the
prosecuting officer.
Martin II Co., however, drag In number OF most
respectable Citizens and endeavor by the asso.
citation OF their names with real criminals 70 awake
the attention OF the authorities to an Investigation
into these charges. 1t s said that Martin has been
endeavorng the last six months to induce United
States District Attorney Plerrepont to commence on
his Martin's sworn afidavlts, proceedings against
number OF distilers and rectiHers, In tae nope Of
securing the imposition OF penalties ana forfeiture
OF property, so that they Martin Coz might draw
the moeites allowed by the law to informers IN In
ternal revenue cases. But Mr.. Pierrepont declined
act directed, Tor which sort Of action, indeed,
there Is law. This little game OF private prosecu.
tion, with the glitterlng prospect ahead OF heavy
and numerous moietes, having been blufcd, Martin
has gone into the business OF aTidaWt swearing
wholesale.
1t should be here said that the rumor and,
ago, on the representation oil interested parties
Interested IN making MN their aupe ana
ring, In fact-was musc cted In sum ol $1,000. Tn0
phlanthr0pic motive which induced hiin TO part
with his cash was the statement made to MIN that
these parties knew OF number Ol cases IN which
hskey disters had deirauded the government OF
$17,000,00D ana tnat all that was wanted was to
raise sufficient sum OF money to enable q JOINT
stock company OF luI0rners TO proceed against and
penalties that sure to be levied from the de-
faulter5. AS stated, Martin pnilanthropcalIy and
patriotlcaly jumped at the bait ana hence, az
alleged his great interest III the prosecutions he IL
setting Oh foot
In one OF Martins andavlts Alderman James
Barker, Of the sixteenth ward, IS charged a. q
aeiaulttng 'dstiller, having conspred, with other
parties, 70 deiraud the government by the removal
Of large quantities OF distilled spirits from the dis.
tlery In Eighteenth street, upon winch no tai
was paid to place other than bonded warehouse.
Mr. Barker having heard OF the charge, the Issuance
Of warrant for his arrest and what the next move
Of the officers would be- repaired 10 Ills COUNSEL Mr..
Joseph Bell In whose company ne went before Com
self to the proper action OF the law IN the premises.
He s2nincd his aolty to give any amo INT OF bail.
The amount was fixed at $1,000. and As
slstant United States District Attorney Purdy
allowed Mr. Basker to at large at once the latter
promising to send his bondsman before the Commls.
slOner whenever that gentlemans Judge McCunnl
duties would permit ham to leave the bench for that
purpose. None OF the other parties enumerated
the alldavit and warrants with Barker been
yet arrested.
1t Is hoped that the District Attorney and the
Commissioners Of the United States courts win DO
exceedingly cautious In granting warrants on the
aiildavts OF parties wnO only swear to tner know
ledge and beliel and from the representations OF
another set ot parties. Whenever q matchmaking
operation Is decided on or whenever real CRIMINALS
are anxious to get prosecuting officers material
witnesses out oil the way they eau easily suDOrn
false witnesses to make a1idavlts on which these
Off1cerS and the governments Witnesses can be ar.
rested 1t is only necessary IN this nectOn to
refer 10 the false aflidavs which the wniskey ring
OF eighteen months ago were enabled to nave sworn
against Collector Bailey and against Commissioner
Rollins and Deputy Commissioner Harand. Com
missioner Osborn before whom the preseuJ has
been instituted. Will insist upon the observance Of
every requirement. OF the law the part OF Messrs.
Martin CO.Defore he issues warrants for the
arrest OF the parties charged by TINS company Of
infOrmers.
Whatever is in the charge against Mr.. Barker VIII
be made apparent on Monday next, which day, al
eleven O'Clock A NJ, the examination into 1t Will bS
held.