The Republican journal., 1873-07-17
What the Press Saws.

Inc newspapers haYe commented to
some extent upon the case of Collector
Roberts and his alleged serious offence
against the laws. We copy some of them
below, that our readers may view the
aspect of the case from all stand points
From the Boston Post.
A more dashing and brilliant warfare has sell
dom been seen in American politics than that
between William H. Simpson, ESQ.,, editor and
proprietor of the Belfast Republican Journal,
and Collector Roberts of that port L is not
sufficient to say that all the piquancy of the con-
test has been supplied by Mr.. Simpson, for the
event proves that the right is also on his side;
while the Collector, through an allied newspa-
per, has descended to scurrous personal at
tacks, to finally find himself under arrest on the
very charges by which his opponent provoked
his laundering wrath. The accusation of Mr..
Simpson was that the Collector violated the
law by engaging in business on his own ac-
| count, importing, etc. while holding an office
in the customs. Other Irregularities of the
same sort appear under his management. This
charge has been persistently pressed tor many
months, and as stubbornly resisted by the Col
lector; until now the Government has inter-
fered by the arrest of the offending official. 1t
is significant that Roberts only plea is ignorance
OF the law. Certainly he is difficult to enlighten
Mr.. Simpson, whose ability as a journalist of
staunch Democratic principle has placed his
Journal among the leaders of public opinion in
New England, mas CONQUERED TINS contest with
such scihliilatng VIII anu constant good humor,
as we'll as with such earnest and unfaggipg
purpose, tnat CONGRATULATIONS are due him
equally with the public for the success Of his
efforts to purify the civil service in Maine.
From the Boston Herald.
For many months the Belfast Collector of
journal of that citv for heino anuaSed in traIo
in systematic violation of t6a Iaw and 49,,
when he is arrested he has the chaal to nloaa
ignorance of the law. which excnses M man
That is too thin and even tho ITnitaJ Stotos
officials who took no notice of bis H;if,i ,ame
oresson cant fail To SEQ tbrough if '''''' u
H., 49, -" W.
on tue bangor commercial.
me Ha mrllle bow ana arrow" of the Republic
can journal have at last brought down the bird.
yesterday, United states Marshal Marble ar
rested bafhaDas NJ. Roberts, Collector of Gus
TOMS iof tiie beliast District. The warrant on
m traJe RarnahaS viii hs nc tai Las ~ engage9
and have his preliminary examination before
49,, rsa ~. to na'a'S. N'lno'o'
United States Marshal. 8 8 Marble wa. IN
this city, Tuesday, for the purpose of serving
of Portland, upon B. NJ Roberts OF this dstr G.p
tor an al alleged VOL alton of the u. S. Revenue
j Y. Met 'IintOrk Ot this CITY oh hot
the respondent, being collector of customs
of the United States. is engaged in trade Uhe at
he;s ana IS also engaged in commerce
Of which is contrary TO law and seanst the h,s
statues s e Oh me United States: hearing is to
probably, some time next week. The comn rlao'
Is Daseu upon an old law, passed in 1873, and
considered about the same as obsolete The
penas IS qnlt e severe; 5000 fine and ;is-
enures to the prosecutor, which of itself !. a
sui SUM. thplanalloh OF the motive of the com
Mr.. Roberts took before the legislature last
pa ,'el pi 10 oriuglhs our harbor by the
thing to do with it, Whether Mr.. Roberts has
oeen St.y even o. leenhlcal violation OF this
Ovino IN tbo .hsonoo - RI 9 co,>,
missioner C,ianrd ,ho ooso - r,o,,oo....
pohon.u h.,
u will ,,oba,l., l,,,
Of the wool Wo ,oo,n .bot 49, 900,