New-York tribune., 1872-03-04
FURNISHING WITNESSES.
RBvENrE OFFICERS ACTING ON ANONYMOUS IN
ORMATION-EXAMINATI0N OF CLARK AND

REVENUE OFFICERS ACTING ON ANONYMOUS IN
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF CLARK AND
sCHULTZs BOOKs-wHO IS THE INFoRMER.
Certain facts, recently brought to light, lead,
at least, TO partial confirmation OF the suspicion that
Government officials, interested in of the frauds
exposed by the Customhouse investigation intend re-
vengng themselves, opportunity may offer, on mer
chants who testified against them by subjecting these
merchants 10 such annOyances greater less, as may
be In their power 1t costs official nothing to present
charges and have q suit brought. or an examination
made even when he knows there is no cause for such
action since the expense will fall the Government
But the persons against whom charges are made must
undergo expense OF defending the suit must suffer
vexatious and often damaging interference with their
regular business, and even when acquitted must ire
quently find the reputation Of their houses damaged Dy
the suspicion OF fraud OceasOned by the trial or exam
naton for the thousands who hear Of the accusation
only fraction will learn of the acquital, or OF the
malice which induced the charge.
one such effort the opinion Of the merchants inter
ested was made on Friday night the facts being as fol-
Iows One OF the witnesses before the Investigating
Committee Mr.. Clark Of the firm OF CLARK %
schutz importers and commission merchants OF Nos.
IA and Veseyst. The rn so far as can be ascerheu'
is a reputable one, carrying on large business Win all
parts OF the country the members OF the rm oeg con-
dered I'm business circles rs honest and energetic men,
representing OF the Oldest European houses ana
having unlimited credit. In his testimony MI clark
gave evidence frauds In the General Order business
and In workings of the Internal Revenue Depart
ment and understood that Mr. Schultz Is to appear
before the Committee when it resumes its slttings ON
Friday last the firm visited by Deputy Collector
Kamire of the Id District, who stated that information
had been received by Collector readwe Of fraud on the
Government by the house, particularly TO breaking
packages without entering the sales their books He
desired to the books Of the firm, which were at once
produced. After careful examination they
were pronounced unusually correct, and 1t was
declared that cause OF complaint eNstcd.
subsequently, in 00ng over the stock in the building
some barrels OF whisky were discovered, which the
official declared be irregular in not containing stamps
closer investigation, however. discovered that such
was the case the stamps being found as required Dy
law with the exception Of one or two where IL was
evident they had been defaced or torn by exposure 10
the weather. After satisfying the Deputy that the
affairs Of the firm correct, Messrs Clark Schultz
desired to know the name OF the informer who had
thrown suspicion ON their house. This refused and
subsequent request Of the character made to the
Collector secured no answer.
ATRIBUNE reporter called Collector Treadwcll in
relation TO matter and in his absence was gwen the
| following statements by Deputy Collector Kasmre;
schultz was made supposed rreguiarities Il Is Gus;
tomnry examinations 10 he made ON lniOratoh OF
any character either anonymous or personal ltls very
seldom that informer gives his name NO seizure Is
made without previous examinaton In thls Sase M eN-
Clark Schultz in perfect order, ana their Dusl-
ness apparently perfectly regular Inc examiner re-
0red 10 this effect stating that there were no books IN
Tins district kept in better condition than those OF TINS
| firm The examination made simply as a matter OF
duty on information received and was NOT occaSloned IN
| auy way by any action taken by Messrs. Clark
A. Schultz before the Senatorial investigating Com
| Inttee The examiner expressed himself exceedingly
grahed with the manner III which the books of the urn
er Kent and the apparent desire OF the firm to comply
with the United States Revenue laws. The information
| on which the examination was made did not come from
| any CustOm-house official
Notwithstanding these definite assertions OF Deputy
Collector Kasmre. Mr.. Won Raalte. the bookkeper OF
Messrs Clark & Schultz asserts positively that the
Deputy Collector, entering the store, stated that
"information had been given against the firm by a
Custom-house official" and the members OF the firm be-
eve that such the and propose to make every
possble effort TO discover the nformer and request his
| dsmissa from office II still in service.