New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-28
A CUsToM-HoUsE CONSPIRACY.


sUBoRNATION OF PERJURY by INTIMIDATION.
John C.. StraDg was, in 1870, an assistant
gauger and Fall OF that gagged 90 barrels Of
whisky in bond to Messrs. James Reid & iCo, No. As
Broadst Strang that gaugers generally esti
mated the capacity OF barrels Of this shape by taking
the number OF imperial gallons marked upon their heads
and adding onehfth to IT, But he had been instructed
not be guided by any marks upon the barrels, and
accordingly used his instruments. Not having meas
ured any barrels Of this shape before he thought the
straight rod would give the measurement accurately
enough and gagged them with that The barrels were
somewhat peculiar In shape and should nave been
gagged by calpers rather than by straight rod 1t
was afterward found that he had underestmated the
capacity OF the barrels two gallons per barrel.
Some time after Mr.. Reid applied to Strang 10 have
the barrels regauGed strang replied that he could not
regauge barrels without order from the Custom
house. frequently liquor was stolen from barrels while
Mt the docks, aud importers, unwilling to pay duty on
what had been stolen from them, applied for re-
gauging 1t rule that this should not be granted
without an order from the Custom-house As Strang
knew nothing of the mistake he had made he was in
cned to suppose that this Of such cases, and
accordingly referred Reid the CustoDhouse iSevera
months this Surveyor Cornell sent for Srang and
told him that had been errorin gauging Reds
60 barrels and asked him how 1t had occurred Strang
unable explain but conJectured that there had
defect in the rod he used but on comparison OF
the old rod with new one he found difference Ibut
learned that straight rod should not have been used
ut ALL
Two months after, Jayne. who had recently re-
turned from the country, sent for Strang by Daniel
George OF his employees. strang said that Jayne
received aaby. and asked II he had not gagged 60
barrels Of whisky belonging to James Reid Co. Upon
strangs affirmative answer, Jayne said that there was
good deal trouble about that gauging and asked II
strang had not received something from Reid a Co.
strang said that he had acquaintance with Mr. Reid
OF any member of the firm, and had never been paid
anything by them Jayne told him to think MN over the
getting something from Reid Co strang replied that
jayne said he knew ali about it, that he was strangs
friend and would that he did not lose his place, and
Reid 4 Co, strang again denied that there had
STy. strans affirmed that his memory good,
but be eo JAYNE nS told that for ar
deny because he had found an entry on Reds BOOKS
answered that he would go Reid Co. and ind out
who taking briDes In his name. Jayne told MIN 10
Very carefully and call to mind the circumstances OF
what he called the false gaugng and come 10 him next
day ready to tell him all about Strang returned that
would do no good for him think over II, rs he had
never been brbed by Reid, and II there had been mis-
Que jayne again proessed friendship for him and urged
him think over the subject at home promising " look
out for HIM II he would tell s he knew.
At the close Of the interview. Daniel George. who was
party to the conspiracy asked strang to take drhn
vii l. NJ.
party before they got to the barroom at William
and Beaver-sts where they were going Carr made
anoe of prcconcerted plan by which pretended de-
tecrive to follow strang bring him into Jayne's
Office again, and help to frighten him into compliance
with Jayne's wishes Lewis j. Kirk, deputy surveyor,
played the part OF the detective. While strang and
George were the barroom. Kirk came In and asked
George il his friend was named strang George then
pointed strang to Kirk. who thereupon pretended
TO arrest both George and Srang and called Carr to AID
in bringing them TO Jaynes office. Here George,'pre-
the Jayne renewed his pressure upon strang
10 confess that he had acted In collision with Held q
Co. He again promised him protection, and when
Strang sti refused to make false confession, Jayne
that II he would sign paper " the effect that he
where he liked. aud could live like gentleman, without
having to do any thing as bis salary should be sent him.
and he should be provided ior during the est o. ms ire
still urging him Intellectually, Kirk put his head In the
door, and inquired, Has he .squealed yetp Jayne
him fifteen minutes more. II be don't squeal then,
I'll take him TO Ludowst JAIL where hen have time to-
that he was sorry for him. but the had too
far now for him to prevent strang going 70 Ludowst
With With Rs n George also begged him to confess.
aud DO done with the trouble. strang was thor
Susy He Pca .sdu e jayne ssyi1 ls ans
Jayne declared that he would try to be friend 20
Srang. but confession was the only thing that could
say what bad never happened Jayne said that he
wanted him To sign paper that no would write birang
error In the saasins OF Reid Co whisky, the fault
his but persistenty denied that ne was brDed ana
in subsequent proceedings by Reid Co. before COM
missioner for remission swore tho fairness OF his
gaugng Jayne, falling TO intinidate strang Into slgn-
ing any document which could DO useful la compelling
Reid Co. Ia compromise, finally permitted Strang To
leave. Reid Co. refused 10 compromise, aud insisted
on going 9eS nG ry and ssISs the case has mover
strang says that KIRK aud Carr aferwad confessed TO
the wnoe plan t. iptimidats hun George has fire.
Jayne engaged IN Tho entry In Mr. Reids books,