New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-23
TILE HAND AWARD SWINDLE.

THE BRIBERY AND CONSPIRACY CASES.
No NEW DEVELOPMENTS At BUffALO-DisTRIcT-
ATTORNEY LOCKWOOD CONFIDENT OF BEING
ABLE TO PROCEED WITH THE CASES TODAY
NON-APPEARANCE OF Ex-COMMIsSIONER BARK
LEY-THE ARREST or BENNETT A SURPRISE
THE COAL FRAUDS
EY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBCSE.l
BUFFALO, Sept. 22.-NOthing further has
transpired here in regard TO the indictments against
George d. Lord and the other who were arrested
and brought into yesterday charges Of bribery
and conspiracy in connection with the Hand award
swndle. It expected that Alexander Barkey-the
ex-Canal Commissioner to whom Bennett swOre he sent
80 900 Of the money obtained in the Hand award-would
arrive here about to-day but up to late hour this
evening nothing had been heard from him or the officer
who went to arrest him, except telegram from the
latter yesterday saying he had found Barkcy at BallstOn
and would bring him At once 1t Ia thought the delay
may have occasoned by his attempt TO find some one
who would go on his bail He Ia cOnhdenty expected here
DstrictAttOrney Lockwood says the special
plea of Lords counsel will be brought up tomorrow
morning. This is special plea under the statute of lim
ia the bribery and prominent lawyers here
freely expressed the opinion to-day that the chances
OF sustaining charges under this indictment we're
small, the transactions occurred more than three
years ago, and time when the law of 1888
(which limits the time in which such an Indictment can
he brought to three years. was in force DlsrlctAtor
new Lockwood is confident. however that he shalt be
able proceed with the at once unless other o6ec
on- nterposed by which the defendant may be able
10 delay matters Tie arrest yesterday of Lewis j. Ben
nett was a surprise both himself and his friends. lie
SAYS the Commissioners promised him that If he
would make n full statement to them OF the
transactions by which the Hand awards were Obtained
he should not prosecuted Upon this promise he put
the Commissioners in possession OF the Information upon
which the arrests OF Lord and others were made 1t
seems be the general impression, however that as
Benefits further testimony in court Is still necessary to
convict his accompces nolle prosequi will be entered
IN his case in order receive him witness against
The others indicted Since his return here several weeks
ago, compliance will his promise to the Commission
ers left his house until yesterday, when he
was brought down to court. The excitement attending
The recent eopments to have weighed heavily
upon him and he bears the appearance OF one greatly
worn by care and anxiety.
James Jackson. ir., the Canal Commissioner having
special supervision Of this end Of the Erie Canal spent
shor; time in this city today. In regard to the Hand
award he states that the Commissioners in Office at the
time was made did not have the rcmotest idea that
there was anything irregular or fraudulent about It,
There was nothing suggest them that Lord had any
thing 10 do with the matter in any way and AFTER taxing
the testimony several contractors as to the value OF
the work DONE they made the award according to the
smallest estimate obtained under the act granting the
award They could do nothing else than what was done
uness they mad suspicious Of fraud de also states that
Tho work On the improvements AT Black Rock
Iarbor will probably he resumed at an carry
day. as the work done must sustain consid-
cradle injury by washing if LETT in its present condition.
The question will come up again, however before the
Canal Board on The 29h inst 1t believed that indct-
ents have found. and that bench warrants will be
sned tomorrow against the implicated IN the
coal frauds upon the Canal Department These frauds
were brought light by the testimony OF Ellis webster
n civ
Commission The testimony duplicates, among Others,
John Kelly IT, the present superintendent OF this Dvi-
sion Of the Canal ex superintendent d. Clinton Welsh
and his clerk Horace cary both OF whom are now sup
posed 70 be in Canada Welshs friends say he is there
on business and that he WI return here this week