New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-15
THE COURTS.
.oRGE ALBERT MAsoN's DEFENSE.

GEORGE ALBERT SLASQN'S DEFENSE.
An ALLEGED DEAAR IN CnUNTRRFEgT MONEY
PLEADS THAT HE WAS ACHING As a GovERN-
MINT oFrICTR. r..-.r
In the United States Circuit Court, on Tues
aay Il discovered In the Of hason the alleged
aealer coantagi.t money TIA. there great differ
susa between the counterfeit bills described In the III
etment aud those offered in evidence On thai account
taa prosecution about to break down. when bin
.nd count ia tire Indictment found, which
a.aered only as follows In the penalty indorse-
rent on the bin il the word counterfeit" end IN
the count IL was copied as "counterfced" Assistant
untd States District Attorney Purdy claimed that that
WIS not fatal variance, and he was given until yescr
av 10 nnd authorities in support of his position. When
d. Court opened yesterday Cen Foster, Masons counsel
.ai .l he ready argue tho question at issuo
and renewed the objection grounded the difference
b.tween the words specified Judge Benedict replied
tat ,or the purpcsc of saving time he would pro Jorrd
oVerr,e The Objection allow exception, aud give
Mason tire benefit OF t motion for trial Ia the
cvent Of conviction Gen, Foster objected TO such
, course. Tho Judge iDsis;ed upon IL, and there
was nothing left FOR Gen. Foster To do except
% .nsniL Col washbGrn, Chief OF the Secret Service
Bo s S b S that when en- Mason was VI se ss S1 f1
sp,noynent mat Barean c urged. OF his quail
tsl.s that he was an Old eonntsrfeiter and black
maioT" Tho cross examination attempt 70 show
ey witues> himself tst ne wac not very reputable
man The nearest approach "a doing So however, was
Ne disclosure Of tho tact thai nc h9a been dscharsed
nom The wIrdensip OF the IiDos IPntentiary Tor III
rlcri!natiOn In tearing down building witch ensn-
Erred tie safety ot the Pelliientiary.
A theory OF The defense is thai Mason was Govern
nent affective and that he intended 10 tie counter
fpif money found for the urpcs- of detecting
rfeleFs la support OF theory Gen. Poster
rs eorres ondenee between Mason and the secretary
OF the Treasury relative 10 ferlctns ont manufacturers
OF aud dealers In counterfeit money. II did not nTear
nom the correspondence that Mason bad been regularly
cnpioyed detestv-, hut simply paid for such odd
A corrcspoudtsice 20 the same effect between
Mason add Col. WashbuTn also put In evidence.
shown tilat several occaSioNs Mason had
turned considerable counterfeit money Go the Gov
and ben tire OF resting and ictn
several cOuntcrfcers and that when arTestius ia -.
Loills cOuuteIfeter ny the name OF judd, ne was
wounded In further support ~ te theory That Ma on
the employ Of tire secret service Bureau, Ceu.
Pser read tho following ctser, dated Jan. ~ 1878,
from BhufOrd wilson, the >OlcitOr of the Treasury, O
OIL Washbarn; Make liberal settlement with Mason
Ia hi. valuable services and his viii ap
prove an advance OF 500. understand only $50 sepa-
rates YOU and would not stand 1t, make 1t con
dltisn Of Suai payne Mt. ke-i, him Ia work
n letter aeo read IN which Mason informed Mr
Wilson The witness EnsOr dealing in counterfeit
offered 20 capture him for surtaoe reward
This letter however written after EnsOr had
Mason Gf buying his lees with counterfeit money
TIE received by Mason IRON the Secretary OF the
Treasury and from Mr.. Wilson found in hason's
room Hudsdn-st. and Col WastouTn said that he took
t because he had informed that Mason had used
them tor bac mailing purposes and to create The lii
preston thai he officer of 6e Secret service Bu
r-au when he ON the redirect exanlnatlou Col
Wlshhun stated tnat he did not keep Mason ut VOL
when ordered do - the Solicitor of the Treasury
because he satisfied that the Solicitor did under
stand the matter, and not correctly informed
spoctins MasOn character In reply 20 question as to
vhrther or not Mason the employ of the
solicitor Of Le Treasury Col Wa1hbarn sd, Not to
my knowledge
The thai VIII be couttn ued to-day.