New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-28
STORIES OF THE VICTIMS.


As previously stated, the aggrieved merchants
talked Yesterday more freely of the wrongs they had
suffered at the hands of Jayne, yet few cared to
speak of their own individual cases as openly as
was desirable. Numbers Of the above named were
visited by TRIBUNE reporters, and as many more
were not found. having been forced by the persecu
ton OF JAYNE TO abandon their business. 1t was
known that JAYNE had seized the books of hessrs
Plat & Boyd, No 70 Murray-st as long ago as last
July, aud as the books had been returned u was
supposed the case had been compromised
The new appearance Of this case IN the
official report created suspicion, and re-
porter applied to the firm for informa-
ton. Hero it was learned that Messrs. Platt
& Boyd had refused to compromise, and were
Doby determined that at least one case in this port
should reach Jury. They stated that their books
had been seized on the ground that few sheets OF
plate glass IN a largo importation had been mad
ye4tently entered as of smaller size than they
really were. The whole importation had thereupon
been seized and they had been offered q compromise
for $4,000. They had refused to pay cent and
were determined to carry the case INTO court ana
see if Jury of honorable men wOuld condemn mer-
chants for tri1ing errors unavoidable in q large
business They felt that there had been a gross at
tempt to rob them as others had been robbed and
they intend to resist to the last.
"JAYNE's LAWYER
The case Of this firm was mentioned TO lawyer
familiar with the transactions of Jayne, and he re-
marked: "Oh, they have MT got Jayne's lawyer,
then" This remark excited the reporters curiosity,
aud he asked its meaning, when the following facts
were elected:
1t has been the custom with Jayne on selling the
books of firm TO represent to them his belief that
the ofense charged is at the worst only technical
hut n 10 not IA
defraud in order to recover. the case may prove
serious one if not properly managed. He processes
desire to avoid any complications which may annoy
the firm or inure its business, and always winds up
with q recommendation 10 the accused firm to
employ some lawyer familiar with Custom-house
business. He has plausible manner ana
often deceives merchants into taxing his advice and
accepting the lawyer whom he suggests. Tins law
yer invariably advises compromise, and when
successfu in the squeezing process 1t is alleged that
JAYNE shares with him q small percentage OF the
profits. In one important case lately q prominent
LAWYER warned merchant that he had retained
"Jayne's lawyer" and told him that he would be
urged TO settle at Jayne's figures. The same lawyer
made proposition TO the merchant to guarantee
HIM from loss by an adverse verdict il be would go
trial, but finally the merchant settled on the
statement Of his counsel that, though the frauds
were only technical he had no defense. II will be
seen also from the statement Of Mr. Peter Bslen
given below that he evidently fell in with "Jaynes
lawyer" and settled against his conyic tons On the
lawyers advice.
WAS THE GOVERNMENT ALSO ROBBEDi
In the list above are the names of X. Story and
T. T. Putnam, from whom the Government aeknowl-
edged having received its share Of $4,000. These
gentlemen constitute the firm Of Rufus Story a. Co
Of No. Front-st., one Of the oldeet and richest
houses in the spice trade. A TRIBUNE reporter yes
terday Mr.. Story. gentleman Of abont 60 years
Of age. very determined and positive in his manner
end outspoken in his language. On opening the
subject Mr.. Story began by the remark that be had
TO say only that he had been robbed The history Of
his troubles with the CnstOm-hOuse brief. There
had been quarrel between Collector Murphy and
Gen. Palmer when the latter Surveyor, and
Murphy seized a cargo Of pepper imported by Story
d 20. On the Agnes, on o charge that too large an
allowance had been made by Palmer for damage.
The defendants contested the case, and Murphy
was defeated, but not until the pepper had
been detained more than a year, and its ownen
mad suffered o loss Of about $4,000 from delay,
aama9e. and depreciation Of value owing to fail
FG shis w . $50 ~ redress; but The