The New York herald., 1871-03-11
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
Aliesed Custom House Erauds-The Crent
Sugar Case.
Before Judge Blatchford.

Before Judge BiatchfoYd.
TIE Upatted states rs. Richard Baker, H., e. al
This case Is one which has attracted considerable
attention from inior,iDg merchants, net only in
consequence OF the large amount involved, bu, also
from The principles in controversy. II has occupied
she attention OF The Court and jury Tor ncary four
weeks end was submitted TO the jury o, three
O'Clock yesterday afternoon.
Tne defendants compose the frm OF William f.
VIVID ~snd Co., oi Boston ana New York.
Onc OF the questions interesting TO importers and
\ persons having business at jne Custom House in.
hae pecul OF Mania 10 American 30 unds. Much
Tlt l,art 0f tho government 1t claimed that the
pTcp,v rate o reduction OF tie pecul pounds for
Casto House purposes was at 1894 pounds to the
Decul. Hbile the counsel Tor the defence cunended
tfai III, spropcr rate was only 1885 pounds.
il var shcwn by he government that the i'm
poriers pad- made an entry at the Custom House
sor 90 00U Soags Of sugar, weighing 5000 peculs In
ported by ~hem IRON, Manila ana tEat tue Custom
pecns 10 pDunes a, Tile laie OF l33s pounds 10 the
pecul. IN h rate the District Attorney conGended
WAS false ite ald mad been inserted in the entry
at the Gus, wn House with design to deiraud tue
government tut ol portion Of ite legal duties. Ia
clerks were 1AsuLllSd VINO test1cd tnaJ their
practice was sfedgce the FecG al tne rate OF l3gE
pounds.
me defence sai4Gd aal that la@5 pounds was the
Custom House b.'okef yho had done business al the
Custom House lolt twenty.hve years auJ who testi-
icd that ms practice had always been
40 reduce tie peGW 10 POUNDS in im-
pcftatiens ol Vgar from Manila at the
cate OF l3S5 ,1unds and tnat ; o.: lection
had never been maa,. ~ aDY Custom House onieer
10 LIS rate. ne also .cslided that the importers IN
fns ease had never given him aDy Instructions
whatever n relallen ttthe rate at which nc should
reduce pCcUls 70 pOlndSa The defence ALSO proved,
on cross s-exsnI1nation hsItTe Of the Custom House
clerks called bv yDe isu1tt Attorney, tra they also
ALWAYS nnGeTsrSYt the Iocnl ~ bs equal 10 1891
Dcunis, and bad htSagisbiy 80 estimated 1t in the
performance of thcp 6uties 81 The Custom nouee
Another egailon tpf The government that
fhC Custom House weig her MAO been pdid Dribe Sf
500 1or making iase return o. tie weight OF the
sugar, and tlat by means oi suca hrDe the govern
ment had been detrau3ed Sout oi rhe dn ou $1,000
pounds OF sugar. TINS chm ge was denied ~ TOO by
ile dcience. WHO alleged mat II was me result Of
conspiracy 10 blackmail tnem. ID support OF
men theory Two " the dcfene lants We're examined,
Who ,estiHed that lhe did not now, ana iad never
seen The wclghor and nal neye, paid or authorized
tir pa1 msDt Of gny sum of mol'ey whatever 10 q
1Aer IN this OF any other case ,,,.s
Tie counsel engaged each rcQues'cd tne fui40g 81
me Court On various points OF law, lllch e Judge
10 hls Charge 70 the Jary disposed o. ana men SUD-
Miifed the case a. tie jury On tle iacts. ths Jury
retired - lOur O'Clock ad were directed ~ Drug ia
q sealed verdict at eleven O'Clock this mo, .hinS
Ior the United STATES, United States AsS!ssau
Attorney Davis, MIR. Thomas snion. ana hr.
George sedGviek. For tue defence, Mr. oidlpy
AcOstes and Nj. James h. Crag.