The New York herald., 1874-12-02
'WASHINc cTON.
The Presidents Message Before
the Cabinet.
A NEW DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
BIunders Charged Against the Prosecution
in the conspiracy" Trial.
THE INTER-OCEANIC SURVEYS
WASHINGTON, Dec. l, 1874,
n Lengthy Cabinet Meeting-The Prcsi-
dents Message Under Disc cussiOn-

WASHINGTON, Dec. l, 1874
n Lengthy Cabinet Meeting-The Presi-
dents Message Under Discussion.
The Cabinet was in session about two hours
so-day. All the members were present except
Secretary Robson and Attorney General WtAams,
the latter being engaged in the supreme Court.
The whole OF the session occupied in discuss
ing the Presidents Message, Low IN course Oh
preparation,
Coming Congregational Inquiry Into the
District Judiciary--Can Unframmelled
Justice BE Obtained !-The "saIe Bur-
glary Tgtap' and Its Blunders.
II is understood that on the assemolingof Con-
.Rress a resolution viii be offered IN both houses
calling for the appointment OF a Joint committee
10 investigate and report whether IN the District
OF Columbia there is an untrammeed judiciary
and whether there is need OF reform N
the Organization OF the District Courts.
This step will be taken In con-
sequence Of what prominent members OF
Congress on the administration side conceive TO
be the greatest outrage ever perpetrated in the
name OF justice, the 'safe burglary'' trial. The
Attorney General has not fully decided whether
TO abandon further prosecution, but he has deter
mined not to try the again for some time
His reason is that al the trial the govern
ment neither spared pains nor expense to have
the prosecution successful. Skilled detectives
able counsel ana q host of witnesses have
already heavily taxed the government in a city
where there is more or less prejudice against the
accused, where every man competent TO sit on a
jury has formed an opinion OF the innocence or
guilt OF the parties and where II would be useless
10 expect jury to be empanelled that would do
anything more than the last jury-disagree. At
least he will wait until the excitement occasoned
by the Ave weeks trial has passed away before he
will consent to proceed to second trial. While the
ability OF A. c. Riddle. the senior counsel OF the
government In the conduct OF the case, has been
admitted it has transplred since the close OF the
trial that the government committed fatal
blunder in not demanding the stolen property
taken by the burglars on the night OF the robbery
to be brought into Court This most important
part OF the evidence, and such is required to
convict every thief and burglar. was wholly
looked. The parties were tried for conspiracy
and the very gist or the evidence against
them suffered to be restored to the alleged
conspirators and the prosecution left TO build up
case on purely circumstanttal evidence. This de-
velopment has revived anew the interest in the
case. 1t is said that had the contents OF Benton's
satchel been brought into Court as when selzed by
the superintendent OF Police. there would have
been no need OF theory; also GER
tain burglarious implements kindly loaned
among those long since captured from telons and
supposed TO be forever harmless for evil deeds,
might have been brought into Court TO iurther
prove the depth OF the conspiracy and the con-
nection with 1t OF government officials. For this
reason, more than all else. 1t Is alleged was is
desirable that Benton, the party arrested, should
be released, as he mad determined to turn
States evidence and his testimony would have
compelled the prosecution to bring into court the
only fatal evidence through which those who were
only the tools would in self-deence be compelled
to confess who originated, aided and abetted the
scheme But the day Is past As already stated,
II the case is again tried 1t will be months hence
and most probably never at all
The Isthmus Routes for an Interoceanic
Canal.
To-day Simon Stevens, OF New York, submitted
70 the Interoceanic Canal Commission reports
upon the Tehuantepec route and harpors, pre-
pared by General Barnard of the United States
Engineer corps, and by the late General William
II. SldelL The printed document and maps tend
20 demonstrate the advantages that the Tehuan-
tepec route possesses over all others across the
American isthmus for canal with locks and
without tunnels to connect the commerce OF the
Gulf OF Mexico with that OF the Pacific ocean, with
feasible harbors on both coasts. MIR. Stevens sug-
gests that before q final report In favor OF any
route for a canal or water transit shall be made,
the survey OF the isthmus shall be completed. so
rs to connect the works of Captain Shuieldt upon
the summit with ms surveys of the two coasts.
Fashionable Smuggling Congress
Called TO Remedy the Constant Eva
sion OF the Impost Duties by Tourists
"Baggngc Rings" in the Custom
Houses.
The Commissioner OF Customs, in his report Just
submitted 10 the Secretary OF the Treasury, made
N az
lists returning from Europe in bringing in dutiable
goods under the head OF wearing apparel. The
estimate OF the Commissioner that the value of
goods thus brought in reached the sum OF
4l2s o0o 900 yearly has been pronounced excessive.
The Commissioner. from additional Information
which he has received since the preparation OF
his report, Is well satisfied that his estimate was
under rather than over the mark. The people OF
the United states, at least chat portion who re-
main In their own country, have but little idea
Of the extent to which this fashionable smuggling
Is carried on by their Weather neighbors who
annually pass between this country and Europe.
As remarked to-day by the Commissioner, the
smuggler OF the present Is not the smuggier as
described by Scott and Marryatt He ia not the
brawny, bearded desperate With murder in his
heart and cutlass in his hand, but fine lady or
gentlemen, dressed In silk or broadcoth whose
gold coin or greenback quietly dropped in the
hand Is more potent weapon than the cutass
the bludgeon. IL is not Intended ts charge that
every American citizen returning from Europe
deliberately derauds his government, but
from the reports OF special agents, who
have been detailed at the principal
ports, 1t has been ascertained that the vast
majority OF returning tourists bring in, dnty free,
large lots OF choice abrics either for ther friends
or as merchandise to be disposed OF for gain.
case mas been reported, OF lady moving In the
most fashionable circles OF New York who makes
an annual tour TO Europe, and who has been
known to boast that she realizes more than her
expenses abroad by the sale OF the silks, velvets
ana laces which she brings In as her
own wearing apparel Persons who wouJd
Tepei with indignation any temptation to take
the least advantage In their hnsinesa rela.