New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-02-10
THE CHARGES AGAINST COL. DIES ANGES

AN EARNEST APPEAL rOR SUSPENSION OF JUDGMENT.
70 TIE EdttOr OF The Tribune.
SIR: The publicity which has been given to
the fact that Col Des Anges, Deputy Collector OF Gus
toms has been indicted by the United States Grand
Jury u-es il 1t does not require an explanation from
those who understand his exact position In the matter
Tue statements already published nust cause great
PAIN 20 friends in many parts OF the world Ae Is
be tier known the Bri ish possessions than III tins
country having been for many years officer in the
British army. HIS position in the Customhouse was
rendered him because he regarded by he authorities
rs cminenty qualified by intelligence, skin, strict integ-
riv and hi gh Of honor which generally enar
acerzes military for the duties OF his place. and
moreover on account the valuable services which he
had rendered the country as volunteer 0ncer In the
reference 10 him contained in todays issue, You say
OF course he will understand that an Immediate IN
yesfl cation is his only of vlndieation" NO one
understands that better than he does; no one more
earnestly seeks it one who does not know MIN per
soualy can appreciate how keenY this sensitive, high
souied gentleman suffering caused by an ac-
cusation which would gladly meet and be tried upon
Tomorrow The public ought TO know the facts They
are briefly these
IL being impossible examine all the packages eon
tanning imported goods, the deputy collectors tthefe are
nine of then) on the presentation OF INVOICES select
parcels FOR eXamuauOn ny Ihe Appraisers me
general practice IS 10 select one III zen ING oo y,
is Indicated Dy mark. Col Des Anges Is accused OF
eight puportlng 70 contain hoseSy, tne
onIv ono winch dld contain hosiery, the others having
silks Wnat eviaence may have been nddueed 10 snow
,ttuutie1Ly gmuggiCFs he does not KNOW DuJ
wiz lin a fv minutes after he had passed the entry
nnon hare suspicion that t1ere might Oe something
Nyrp ne recalled the permit, ordered ali the cases 10
he AZ nj er examination, scared them and thus TAR
nished INC proof OF he sinr@-iihg
Tue oruary course DrUcedurC ia crlnlnal cases is
10 Or euro warrant from magistrate, upon whiCn
fhe is IN examination when the person accused can
meet ms accuscr have chance 10 yDdlcale aim
snl Tn, course vas not followed IL this instance
Col Drs Auees mad no iniInatiOn that there was q
charge against him until he Informed that ne had
l,r,.a iud,ccd Ine proceedings OF Grand Jury are
secret and er paffe H NOT even HnjW tat ne IL
accIspd CO. Des Aages does not YET know what ~ The
x,,t Krouna of Indictment. For sufficient and proper
reasons tn Disr.ctAttUrney has thus far reirdined
from showing the iCtnent 10 him. n cannot Vlul-
cate himself until IL tried upon the Indictment
There III DC OF tnc OaY court which can try
the ease nnul next month.
In word, pubic officer ~ accused DefOre trlbuahl
situe in secie indicted, not knowing wiO accuses
or what Ia charged, and wcu he presents himself he 10
nat ACQUAINTED with the OF te cnarge Is it ASA
i,,0 100 much that puDiic opinion should DC suspended
ma such se especially whsh The person cohcerheu Is
man whose NE since childhood has been passed IN n
u,,,frs,i which imposes upon It's members DlRher
andnr of iutegT1t aud honor than written laws
In s NOT intended 10y the writer 10 reflect IN The slight
ulou the action OF me law oulcers OF the
(.,vegumeut Frauds upon the revenue eau nc success
aud ia te effort " une tn cOnspratOrs mehsures may
bc NECESSARY winch IA otaer cases womb seem unjust
Al that s asked Dy any friend OF COL Des Anss o" MS
bcna is tlat no adverse opinion snail De Ivrmeu ANIL
Lie ths had a 10 DC ACJld. "a.
Aep YOTk, FoD. Q, $50