New-York tribune., 1872-04-02
THE WHISKY RING.
JUDGE PRATT or BROOKLYN AMONG THE
INDICTED.

POLICE JUSTICE COULTER, WIN. II. CRAIG,
Ex-CoUNCILMAN OTrwELL, JOSEPH TILNEY,
SIMON HERMAN, AND OTHERS UNDER BAIL
"A VIGOROUS PROSECUTION PROMISED.
The publicity given by The TRIBUNE to the de-
signs Of Gen. Butler and others to indict former
officials Of the Government for political purposes
served to frustTato the purposes But fortunately
perhaps, for justice the jury were not prevented
from submitting the indictments against those VINO
have defrauded the revenue in whisky cases, al
though it is probable that prosecution will bo
impossible account Of the statute OF limitations
Nevertheless, tho jury on Saturday submitted, rs
already announced, large number Of indictments
of persons charged with revenue frauds, and their
prosecution is to follow promptly. The number OF
indictments submitted was variously estimated IN
Yesterdays papers at from co to 107 but in reality
only about Is were presented, including tho names
of about 80 persons, many of whom are indicted
Jointly. Tho names of those not yet arrested are
knows but it would be manfestly improper to pub
lish them at this time. and though some have
already been announced in other journals, IIiE
TRIBUNE, at tho request Of the United States au-
thoritics declines to republish them a correct list
| The prosecution of tho old Whisky Ring" which
under Andrew Johnsons Administration undoubt-
| edly robbed tho Government OF many millions OF
dollars was resolved upon last Fall, and in October,
1871, tha acting Attorney General, B. Ii. Brstow,
|
GUS District-Attorncys and Marshals. The Ring in
this city is said have consisted of about 70 dstil
lers, and number of minor revenue officials in COL
| lusion with them The manner Of operating has
| been made public many times. 1t is charged that
| the principal officers Of the Government were lmph-
Gated with these men, and an attempt by Gen. But
Ter and Mr.. DeKay. assistant OF Distric-Attorney
Davis to indict the former Marshal and District
Attorney as confederates of the Ring, was defeated
only by the positive stand in opposition of Mr.. DAVIS
and by the publicity given the matter in THE TRrB-
UNE. 1t was clear that these two indictments were
prompted by political malice: there arc good and suf-
ticent grounds for the .others and it will be mat
ter of congratulaton if it shall be found that prose-
cution is not prevented by the statute of limitations
AS early as 10 o'clock yesterday morning the
United States building in Chambersst. was besieged
by those curious to know tho action of the Grand
Jury, and among the most eager of these were
several Of the indicted. One or two papers had in
ditcreetly published tho names Of some of the in
dicted, and these were early at the court to know
their fate. Many Of the crowd. which finally over
flowed into Commissioner Kenneth Whites Office,
filling it to oppressiveness. were lawyers eager
for rotaincrs and politicians as eager for
| news; but tho great majority were of the
old Ring, either principals followers and anxious for
themselves or their patrons One and all eagerly In
Qured, "Can see the indictments !"
| To all anxious inQuirers, Commissioner White con-
santly replied that although no knew just what the
Grand Jury had done, and who had been indicted, he
could not as officer OF the Court impart the desired
information until the persons Indicted had been arrested
To guard gnst the obtaining Of rreptitious view OF
the contents Of tho indictments. Marshal Crowley
placed as q sentinel over them. He closely watched
them until they taken charge of by Assistant
United States DistrctAttorney Dekay Soon after this
official had taken his place at the desk and after decn
ing 10 show the indictments 10 any one he turnedto the
reporter Of THE TRIBUNE and, referring to the state
4 ment published In Saturdays paper. said
| "I understand that you have evidence that these
Indictments were fixed up by Gen. Butler Commissioner
| Davenport and myself"
Not having published anything OF the sort, the re-
porter declined to admit that he had any such inforn
tion and in turn asked II the Grand Jury had invest
! gated any Custom-Louse frauds.
Mr. DC Kay--Tbsy investigated some smuggling cases.
Ieporter--Dd they investigate any Of tho Custom
house frauds exposed by the Investigating Commttee
! when 81 wns In session IN this city
| Mr. DE Ray-It is q question whether any Custom
house frauds have been exposed by that Committee.
RcpoIter-Did the Grand Jury investigate any recent
! Custoul-house fraudsi
| Mr.. Da Kay-I do MT know that they did.
| Reporter-Why Of tho bribery frauds COM
mitted by Cusom-house officials and exposed by that
| Committee. investigated by the Grand Juryi
Mr. De kaySo instructions were received from Wash
| ingtOh to Investigate them.
ReporerCant Unit states Grand Jury investigate
| ngtoni
Mr.. De Kay--f suppose so
Rop0rter-Theu why did not this Grand jury do II
Mr.. DE Kay-Woll. don't know.
Rcporter-It is said that you were present when the
Grand jury voted on some of these indictnehts rs tnt
I truct
Mr.. d. Ksy-That Is not true.
Abou: II a. ~, Samuel y. Pike, Joseph Tlney simon
Herman and Police Justice James T.. Coulter OF forA-
VILE entered Commissioner whites oice ahdssad that
they had heard that they had been indicted ana asked
~ IL was true. The Commissioner informed them that
they had been indicted coDspiring to defraud the
Government in assisting, IN April 1eGS In the Illegal
rnoya of large quantity Of distilled spirits from
distlery in Forty-secondst. They gave ball before
John Shields Deputy Clerk Of the Court In 5000 eaeh
to appear trial. They Jointly indicted with about
80 Others whose names cannot, without contempt VI
| court be published at present.
Soon after this transaction, William II. Craig came IN
and said had heard that he had been Indicted lie
was informed that he had been indicted for receiving,
as an Internal Revenue officer, bribe OF 1900 III con-
nection with the Illegal removal In 1866 OF quantity or
distilled spirits from dshery ON for'!'hrstotp anu
| gave Il, 900 bail 10 appear fer trial.
Late in Che afternoon, william j. Pollock appeared
and asked Like Questionable learned that he had been
indicted for smuggling large quantity OF jue bags INTO
this port. He held in $1,000 bail. which be gave
Pollock was held about month ago, by Commissioner
Shields await the action of the Grand Jury, ON the
charge upon which he has bee n indicted.
| Among others who have been indicted and whose
name It is not improper mention at this time, is the
famous Judge Pratt Of Brooklyn, Judge OF the SUI
preme Court Of this state. This Information WAS OBJ
tained independently Of the DistrctAttorneys Once
and Judge Davis evening expressed his surprise to
TRIBrNE reporter that the fact known and added.
that he had been the case all day, and that
10 far he had he satisfied that the indct-