New-York tribune., 1872-02-29
CUSTOM-HOUSE BRIBERY.

WHO WILL RE PROSECUTED VIEWS OF STEAM
SHIP MEN-wHAT THE DIsTRlCT-AlIohNbi
WILL DO.
A prominent bonded warchOuSeman who mas
an intimate knowledge Of the tricks of Custonhouse iah
agemeut gave as his opinion, yesterday that inc prose-
cuons ordered by the Attorney ana concerning
which so much been said would result In morning.
The fact that brbes given, under one OF hoiher
name he said, was notorious; every Custom-house
broker probably had paid "for expeditng business Az
IL is called; and IL the matter were followed up IL
would compel the prosecution OF every CustOmhou7e
officer with perhaps some half dozen ekceptIonS' anu
also OF nearly every importer In this city, lie reels con-
fdent that the prosecutions will never he made In al
dition TO prosecutions for bribery many officials could
be tried for perjury; for they have not only taken
bribes but have afterward sworn to the contrary. Ii
the should undertake 10 prosecute the
cases which might be brought, he would Dc KEPT
busy the remainder of his lite Suits enough could nc
instituted TO occupy the court for the next ten years 10
the exclusion OF everything else.
An agent of the Rowland d Asptnwal steninshlp
COMPANY was interrogated 10 the liability Of hs com
PAW to prosecution He said in relation to the gra-
flies paid to the steamship companies to INSPECTORS,
that they cannot be construed as brbes The payments
were authorized ny the CustOm-hOute officials Under
Mr. Grnnel, notice sent TO the companies that
that bills for overwork would be rendered from the
Custom-house For short time such biils were re fen
dered and paid, but before Mr. GrnDeu resigned thls
was discontinued. and the payments made az before
directly to the officials The bills rendered from the
paid by the companies. The shpowners looked upon
simply payment for extra work, aud the dea OF my
suits being brought such grounds was absurd Inc
permits to allow night-work came from the Custom
house and 1t waswe known that the men were FEED TO
encourage them TO diligence in the performance OF extra
services I In the power OF the Inspectors 70 deay
work and Inconvenience and expense TO the snip
owners and for the interest OF the latter TO Keep
them good naturcd and satisfied. No bargains are
made and the officials know certainly Wnat tley
will receive, but, after the ship is discharged, they
happen the office and receive their clecRs III
one instance check for 500 rendered 10 two IN
spectors and OF them complained that IL was NOT
large enough whercupOn the agent OF the company can
ceied II and sent them away with no - gTatuity.'
The agent OF the North German line or steamships
thought the order 10 prosecute had been Issued without
sufficient investigation Of the testimony lie WAS also OF
opinion that no suits could be brought against the ship
companies for the payment OF gratuties as IL was
practice which had been in vogue for at least af cen
tury II, however the Government wished 10 prosecute
on such grounds the company would be happy 10 meet
| the issue and help 10 put down the system
DisTicAtOTney Davis has not yet received copy OF
the testimony taken before the Senate investigating
Committee but as soon as Is obtained all the witnesses
who appeared before Senate Committee will be sub
penaed before the Grand Jury. While the DistrictA-
Orney cannot any OF the testimony against me
merchants who brbes to officials, and must In ms
preliminary work confnc himself tO prosecutions OF me
atter yet should any independent proof be INTRODUCED
he will probably seek TO make II the basis OF action
against importers The impression that proceedings are
10 be begun against the merchants who gave thc eVi-
dence Is erroneous the fact OF their having testified in
the matter before the Senate Committee wholly exempt
ing them from liability.