Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-03-13

pressive manner, which carried conviction
with it, told his own story Of the affair.
The sole ofTenseof the Hrni, II appears, was
a technical one, consisting in an rndervalu-
ton by mistake Of a quantity OF imported
tin, by which the Government lost SlG5s
During that same year-lS72-Mr Dodge
declares he can prove that his firm oUcr-
valued, or voluntarily added to their Liv-
erpool invoices, 100000 on which they
paid the Government % per cent duty.
And yet for this unconscious Withholding
OF Sl65s duty the firm felt themselves COM
PEELED TO pay, by way OF compromising
suits brought or threatened against them,
the sum of s27l, oil %, one half of which
went to Jsynel
The question, which naturally arises, as
to why the firm paid this large sum, if they
were innocent Of intentional fraud, is sat
islactorily answered in Mr.. Dodge's state
ment. 1--WE copy from the Boston Journal):
an the frst place, their books for years
back had been seized by Jayne, who was
able to rake up number Of small dlscrep-
ancies in valuation, which, under the letter
of the law, could be construed as cases OF
false invoices and perjury, subjocting the
importer TO $1,000 line for each and to not
less than two years imprisonment. Jayne
figured the total penalties up TO 81, 100000,
which he said the tirm was liable for TO the
Government. Then cam3 upon the scene
another man, who had been behind the
whole special agent device. General But
Ter, as Jayne's counsel, brought his men
aces 10 bear. declaring that he bad a letter
(Which proved to be an entirely harmless
one), on the strength of which lie could
convict Phelps, Dodge & Co. in any Court
in the United States" Moreover, one of
their chief clicks was corrupted-the same
is now an officer Of the Government of the
United States-they were beset with spies
in every step they took, and their business
reputation was threatened with ruin at
home and abroad. What wonder, that amid
such perplexities and dangers, they paid
the S27l 900 demanded?
ave have been thus particular in con-
densing the main facts of this remarkable
statement, because they furnish the most
powerful condemnation possible Of this vi
cious aud disgraceful spy system, which
has grown up as an cXcrcscence on our
revenue laws. Admit that all importers
are not like the house of Phelps, Dodge &
Co.-that there are dishonest, men among
tho IN 90 among all other business classes;
this is no rcas IN why they sbould he sinh
Jeeted to legalized system or Persecution
and plumber such as is enforced against no
other persons not judicially pronounce
criminal. One would think that importlny
was a questionable instead OF an honorable
occupation, and that the Governments OBJ
ject was TO dis courage and break 1t down.
That certainly will be the result Of this
Jayne and Butler crusade, If il is upheld
much longer-unless the business, as Mr..
Dodge predicts, is driven entirely into the
hands of foreigners, who have no books on
this side Of the water to seize, and who
have other evident advantages for contend
Ing with the spy system
The increasing feeling not only in Com
gress but throughout the country, against
Butler, Sanborn, Jayne and the other par
ties who have, in the role OF spies and in
formers, been exercising an unexampled
terrorism over the business men Of the
country and fittening of the treasury, will
not onl? prompt the Ways and Means com
miltee TO report repeal OF The laws under
which these transactions have been render.
ed possible, but will very likely induce
them to ask for authority to make a fuller
investigation than they have set done.
with power to uncover all the transactions
OF Jayne and Slnborn by means of sworn
testimony. 1t is certain there ought to be
such an investigation,