Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-04-15
The Pos,a, Contract FraudS.
EXAMINATION OF TWO or THE ACCUSE
PERSONS YESTERDAY.


PERSONS YESTERDAY.
In yesterdays STAR IL was mentioned that
hr. j.. c. IDgersOll, United States Commits
siUner, was holding, in the afternoon, an ex
animation IN the eases of Mr.. Kinds and Mr..
Van Week, for alleged conspiracy with the
mail contract frauds. and the case was being
argued when our report closed. AT the con-
ciusiOn of the arguments the ease OF j. Kinds
was heard. kittle was examined, relating
e r umStantially his business connection
with Eincs. The Contract between these par
ties was read. It was dated January p, 1875
They were jointly intereS ted in procuring mail
contracts Tor The states OF Texas, Louisiana
and Arkansas, and each was to have one
half the routes. They promised TO work to-
geiher and TO so manipulate the matter as to
secure the contracts. kittie testified that
u e manipulation provided for included the
laying OF money for the ecret information
required by them. He bought up certain
clScks and paid them money. He paid Colt
IN all $40. but did rot know that Kinds paid
ont any money. Kinds. however, was in
formed of what had been done in that re-
spect, and the transaction was with his
knowledge. He therefore considered that
Kinds now owed him half the money he paid
on Joint account. On the crOsS-examinatiOn
klttle detailed the facts concerning the per-
peiratiOn of the fraudulent bills. saving.
among other things, that Kinds held the RIB
bons of tie false stamp in order To have
clear job, while he managed the stamping
process. They hXei up twenty-five or thirty
bids in this way. Altogether he paid out
$40 10 different parties lie told Kinds
-
informed him that Colt had been transit
to the Texas desk, and that he was going TO
get hold OF him. He flibustered and cap
GuTed such men az he thought would be of u.s.,
to him. The bids referred to were falsely
marked. and the false stamp put on them
with the knowledge of Kinds. lie had the
seal made TO Use between Kinds and himself
in accordance with the understanding of the
articles of agreement. The further hearing
was postponed until to-day
VAN VLECK DISCHARGED.
m nj two ~ toe
today, and the COmmiSs Oner. Mr. In.1T-
soil. rendered his decision i'm the cas-. of
Mr. Van Week, dischargins him. The dis
cuSslon is As follows
The government seek to hold thndefendaat
for The action Of the grand iFry upon 4 cha rye
disclosed by the aflLlavit fled before M.
upon which the warrant Of arrest was predi-
cate'l. that the defendant. James Van Wee <
on or about the 4ih day of February. lS-5. ~
the County of Washington, u. G.. did
promise, otter, and give, and cause and pro-
cured to be promised. offered, and give. to
Chester VI. Colt, being then and there an
officer OF the United States, vc.. the sum of
~iCo with intent 30 influence the action Of
said Colt as Such officer. sc. And the afiita-
vii reclteS i'm dean the Obi ct for which
Colts assistance was sought and the cir
cumStanceS under which il was rendered.
ard that ii was TO aid in the filing and re-
cording Of false ana fraudulent proposals for
mail contracts 10 ensure 20 the benefit of
James j. Kinds and and VIM. ID. Kit.,e.
mail contractors, upon certain rates mum
bered in the lnfOrma ton.
The gravamen of the charge is the prOmis-
ing. Offering. and giving, ard causing and
procuring 70 be promised. offered and given
money TO Unite. States officer 10 influence
his official act.
In this case il is not claimed by the govern
fnent that the defendant promised. offered or
gave money 10 Colt, and one only pertinent
inquiry il did he cause or procure 10 be prom
ised, offered or given money 10 Colt for the
purposes indicated in the charge.
The testimony shows that VIM. ID. Ki;tIe
corruptly awaited himself of the services OF
Colt, and shows that kittle was introduced
10 Colt by Van Week, the defendant, q I'd
that IAN Week was present at subsequent
interviews when money was paid by kittie
10 Colt, but does not show That the money
was procured TO be promised. Offered and
given 10 Colt by this defendant Van Week.
III is clear that the corrupt compact was
entclei into and negotiated by the
Witnesses themselves. COLI and ktiilc and
II c'mpla ned against. each must clcaly
have been held upon the testimony of the
other. an not. however. willing IL 50 pX-
erciSc the Office "a ~ hold for the action of
The grand jury party who appears To have
been in no way priVy Ia its procurement.
The parties Themselves understood each
were intelliGent ana each knew what the
other wanted as the fruits of their interviews
show.
The odium and suspicion incident To "A
charge OF crime, augmented by holding TO
higher tribunal ought not, from the exer-
of good repute heretofore. The defendant is
n iSc oh