New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-26
THE COURTS.

ANSWER OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY BLISS TO THE
CHARGES MADE BY MR. sroUGHToN-ACT1oN OF
LAwRENCEs COUNSEL CRITICIsED-THErR POSI-
TON CLAIMED TO BE UNTENABLE
United States District-AttOrney Bliss was
asked yesterday by reporter of THE TRIBUNE what he
thought of Mr. stOughtons argument before the Presi
dent upon question of trying Charles L. Lawrence
smuggling when he had been exradited for forgery
In response to this Mr.. Bliss said:
So far as Mr. ghtons argument refers 10 matters
of law think 1t can be overwhelmingly answered Inc
which to carry legal discussion, and have more
over devote 10 that purpose. III the Solicitor
General shall desire any suggestions from me- however
il WILL Of course, become my duty to furnish such as oc
me- and 10 refer TO such authorities as may md
The question is surprise 10 but has been antlci-
pated from the outset II comes up however, in form
less favorable for the Government than mad anticipated
owing to the stupidity or caTeessness Oh the counsel III
London
Elections upon myself and others: lie apPar-
emily charges me with an a,teinp 1.o., 10. by
stoughtOn knows ought to know that this charge IL
coun sci retained by client, do not believe he would
make such statements But his position IS peculiar
Lawrence his authority but without hs knowledge
by merchants and Others implicated who are back OF
shoulders protect themselves. and who care little for
Lawrence If they can otherwise save tleinseEes sina
il necessary take course which surprises me- Inc
facts Of the case are as follows A. s.ou.o, co,,e,
upon and asked the warrant otextradtion Is
sued oy the bIts1 b ~ t Tor i ~ AID noa tnoy
where it nor what II contained that was not me
proper person Ia have the custody OF IT, and that did
not know whether in the custody of the marshal
of Mr. Mooney, the agent designated ~ the fcslue 10
receive Lawrence in England told him, however that
there was no difficulty the of his seeing the
and that unoicay and without assuming any sponsl
have it placed in such position that he could readily
have access 10 it, 1t was IN the conversau1n ~,
ea By %s SS'4 for M MSn RSSy n s
surprised learn that he had received no such
enton TO the fact that he had expected 10 receive such
one. on reflection, it seemed TO me natural that MI
rantof extradton only needed to be issued by the
secretary Of state as an authority 70 Its ocer 70 d denver
authority of the President 10 receive him or course the
English officer would naturally fT enas b bad
Having ascertained from Mr. Mooney that ne mad no
such paper SO noF de H arnoyea did " mot
hesitate TO say believed such warrant existed
that time learned that another of Lawrences counsel
did consider below his dignity TO go 10 ne Once OF
Mr. Mooney naturally and properly declined to give him
any information, telling him that all the papers that ne
me his superior was The proper person to apply to Tor
anything that they desired.
TO me, and the first that learned that
any application to be made at wash
President was receipt of the direction to stay pro-
ceedings Mr.. Lawrence's counsel have not even yet
scented to the President containing reflections upon me-
am Indebted for my knowledge of II, solely 10 copy
which appears in THE TRIBUNE TIE iact OF tne case Is
that there presented to the magistrate III England
indictments and warrants upon some III distinct charges
of forgery that only of them careful ana
detailed examination had. because. at the cOnciu
sion of that examination, Lawrence consented
10 return to this country. II would nave
been better had the counsel employed by Gen.
scnenck required the full examination to be had upon all
the charges That he failed do he due only TO
great neglect on his part or something worse: , o.,
The desire of counsel is to conifne me 10
the charge upon which they alege ne was ex
tradited II this shall be done they Will Doubtless move
for bail and the bail will have 10 be limited by that SIN
gle charge. Having procured ball. Lawrence can Win
out Abandoning more than 1.-THE OF MS gains, easily
forfeit il and escape punishment or. II he should
prefer 10 remain for trial, the same skill and
wickedness which could perpetrate the crimes
bv which he has defrauded the Government
al mions of money will hardly be wanting III devising
means TO render his conviction difficult 1t should be
remembered that charge of forgery based upon the
theory that he signed the name or nctlous persons
which under the common law, is az much crime as 10
sign without authority the III an existing person
II can readily that il VIII not be difficult for
persOns stepped crime Lawrence and his asso-
eates 10 create IN court the single fictitious firm which
would be involved in the matter, proviGed Lawrence
could be tried only upon the single charge
ought add, however that IN spite OF the enormous
and undue influence which Lawrence and the guilty per
sons behind him are using at Washington, have no
Doubt the matter will be decided adversely 10 them for
i'm my opinon their position is wholly untenaDe Tey
no standing out Of court 10 raise any question
as IN the charge which he snail be tired No person
other than British Government could raise any 5uch
question and they are in no position to do So