National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-08-24
TIE SNYDER CASE.
Further Psrticularf-A seoundrsl Psrsonatss
--------------- Kr- Edas. IL

The SNYDER CASE.
Further Particularf-A seoundrsl Psrsonatss
Kr. Edss. s ErF
The further II is inquired into the more the de-
velopments In the fraudulent release Of the silk
robber Snyder appear. 1t has now been definitely
ascertained that Mr.. David Edesdid not 20 on his
bond and that that gentleman was personated by
some bold and adroit scoundrel.
The case was certainly cleyerly played but It
could not have been done successfully without
the aid and connivance Of those in authority, and
could certainly have been prevented If even or
binary precaution had been observed. 1t
appears that after the note from Mr.. Charles
g. Fisher was obtained Mr.. william N. Evans,
counsel for Snyder, appeared at the police
court with the gentlemen who were anxious to
70 on the bono, and introduced him to. Marshal
Eckloff as Mr.. DavidEdes. The Marshal states
that he had not seen Mr.. Edes for number Of
years. but not having any suspicion Of his Identity,
and cognizant Of his perfect reliability, re.
marked that he was good for the amount At
this the clerk prepared and executed the neces-
sary papers and gave the order for the release OF
Snyder which was soon presented and honored at
the jail. -.
These are the surface facts Of the transaction
and the result is that the criminal lie far away
beyond the reach or Jurisdiction of the court and
congratulating themselves upon the fact that the
price Of their liberty was the corruption Of some
officials and the easy duping Of others.
Both the District Attorneys office and the Pc
lice court owe It to the public not less than to
themselves that the most rigorous Investigation
of all the phases Of the case be at once held and
proper punishment be visited upon the guilty
ones, for there is guilt, rank guilt in the whole
transaction.
STATEMENT OF MR.. CHARLES G. FISHER.
His Connection with the Matter and How it
Was Brought About.
OFFICE OF UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, d. O.,
WASHINGTON, August q, 1875.
To the Editor Of The Republican:
Having be en- absent from the city since Friday
evening last, and having just arrived home, I
deem 1t my duty both to myself personally and to
the office IN which am serving, to make such
statement of the facts as have had come to my
knowledge, in this limited time, relative to the
whole cloth fabricstions, Published in the news
papers Of the past two days.
Edward Schneider was committed to jail some
two months ago to await hearing upon war
rant for grand larceny issued by the clerk OF the
Police court. Some month or more ago Or
dercd the Marshal of the Police Court to have
subperas served upon the witnesses, whose
names appeared upon the back Of this warrant,
to appear before the Police Court Of this District
in order that q hearing might. be had, and that
Schneider might be finally committed BY said
court to await The action Of the grand jury.
This was done about one O'Clock on the day
after Court had adjourned, and the case was &C.
cordinRly set for the next day. Being somewhat
ignorant Of the facts Of the case and DESTROYS to
consult with Mr.. MeDevitt, the oficer who had
worked II MP, and whom i considered to be better
acquainted with the evidence Of the case than
any one else, started down to police hesdqusr-
tiers to see him. and met him the street, sitting
in his carriage at point about midway between
the City Hall and police headquarters then
informed him Of what action had taken In the
case, Is It was not compatible with public JUS
tice to allow Q prisoner to remain long In Jail
previous to preliminary hearing before q COM
hitting tribunal.
In answer to this, Mr.. McDevitt stated that 1t
was considered advisable on behalf Of the Gov
eminent land not objected to by counsel for
Schneider) to hold the case over for . time at
least; accordingly, acting under this advice, I
sent word to the Marshal Of the Police Court that
the suhpnnas for the witnesses need not be sent
out until further orders from me.
In the meantime, on the last day Of the session
Of the Grand Jury, previous to their recess, o
presentment for grand larceny was found by that
body against Schneider, and was duly orwarded
to this ONCE to have an indictment drawn from It,
which Indictment will be handed to the Grand
dorsement as "true bill " BY their foreman; and
in this manner the case has since rested to await
the further action Of the Grand Jury, the proper
finding of the indictment, and the issue of Q
bench warrant thereon.
Some ten days since the question was asked me
by counsel for Schneider what amount Of bail
would be required for his appearance; and
accordingly, after looking over the inventory
Of Perry Brothers, stated to him that
ha
required. Upon Friday last Schneider's counseI
came to the ONCE at about one O'Clock, and asked
that give him note from this ofice to the clerk
Of the police court, stating that 5000, ss had
before stated, would be satisfactory. At the time
when wrote this note to Mr.. Leighton there was
no statement made to me, as there rarely is, In
relation to the name of the person who was In
tended TO be offered as bail and had the name Of
David Edes been suggested, should have con.
sidered It my duty, on account OF the friendly
relations existing between our families. to have
warned him Of the character Of the man, Of the
danger Of his incorporating. This note, Q copy
Of which has appeared in most Of our papers, is
In the usual form Of such notes sent to the clerk
Or marshal setting the bail In any oense, and Is
the ordinary mode Of procedure IN ouch cases.
The fixing Of ball Is Q duty which the law COM
pels me to perform, and 1t was performed In the
ordinary routine of the business Of this ONCE,
as will be most apparent to any person acqusint.
ed with legal process. Relative to any induce.
ment held ont or received in this regard would
state that since my connection with the ONCE In
this or no other case has 0 dollar ever been ten
dered asked to be rendered, and least Of all In
case like this would thief offer fee to an on
Ger fer the performance Of duty which legally
devolves upon him. In relation to the other
matters Of scandal that have appeared in print
in the different papers, deem 1t unnecessary to
treat of n length but Would reEnactfullv and