New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-08
NAVAL OFFICER LAFLLES C1SE.
TIE HERKIMER COUNTY INDICTMENT FOR PER
JURY.

TIE HERKIMER COUNTY INDICTMENT FOR PER-
JURY.
The friends of Naval Officer Latin, at the
Custom House stated yesterday that he went to ierki-
mer County last Saturday 10 look after the charges
brought against him. and they expressed implicit CONF
dence his ability TO exculpate himself completely at
the proper time They attributed the bringing in OF an
Indictment against him TO the workings of political spite.
IL stated by those who perhaps not friendly to the
Naval Officer that after serving six years IN Congress- he
lost the denomination last FAIL rather withdrew from
the contest in advance account OF the injury to his
prospects from prevalent impression that he was con-
cerned in certain transactions in North Carolina rail-
road bonds one OF which, for 1900 that which was
mailed by accident Of his constituents and ut
matey caused the present trouble. The bonds in ques
ton were guaranteed by the Legislature OF North
Carolina at the instance OF Gen. NJ g. Litteteld and
others incorporated for the building OF railroad Upon
this guarantee large number of them were "fOated"
ia the New-YOrk market, usually by hypothecating
them In several cases where large loans were OBJ
tanned upon quantities of these bonds, it soon be-
came evident that the borrowers had no
intention OF redeemng them Prominent members Of
the Ring concerned IN this scheme were Gen. Little
field and Mr. Jones from South Carolina Coming into
possession OF large Of money by this means they
plunged into extravagant dissipation here with other
Carolnans. Jones' for example, hypothecated 100000
worth OF the bonds and forthwith began playing faro
soon losing nearly s4OOOc Inc enueG MI BRYANT hcdle
OF the affair." at once sold the securities IN order TO
avoid loss though the conditions OF the loan
we're that he was 10 hold them for six months
other capitalists, holding large amounts OF the bonds
also became alarmed and threw them upon the market
causing the price to decline to few cents on the dollar
Iittefeld and other parties TO the fraud subsequently
fed 10 avoid the Governor Of North Caro-
lima offering S. for the arrest Of the hrstnamed
principal took refuge under the protection OF his
friend the of Florida, where he now remains
The unfortunate circumstance that Mr. Latin, by some
mischance mailed one Of these bonds Instead OF a
printed speech under his frank 10 constituent,
during the canvass for the Congress nomination. If said
seized upon by his enemies and IN connec
ton with the accounts OF Lttleed's transactions IN
Wast to have been successfully used to destroy his
political prospects In the District. IL II not now
alleged, however, by any one. that Mr.. Latin
was concerned in the fraudulent manipulation
of the bonds. Tit particular bond, which
was sent by mistake belonged IL II said TO his brother
who had been somewhat connected 10 his cost, with
Itteheld the Others. The present indictment is
undo rsOod have been brought on account OF state
ment made in the Of the suit brought by the
brother for the recovery the bond The value Of the
bond at the time when 1t left Mr. Lafin's hande, APP
pears 10 have only about O and 10 have since
inained about that amount. Mr. Lafn's explanations, IL
stated will completely exOneratc him la reference 10
the transactions from first TO last.