The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-07-28
LOCAL MATTERS.
THE SEIZED TOBACCO.
SOME NEW FACTS ABOUT IT.
THE CASE IN THE HANDS OF THE POLICE
JUSTICE,

Idh CaoE lN IhE ndNDo OF 1HE FULIC6
JUSTICE.
Public interest In the question raised BY
the seizure of the stemmed tobacco on board
the bark Tarpean, bound for Liverpool, con.
tinues unabated. 1t Is not conffned merely
to people in the tobacco trade, but extends
to property-o and to businessmen OF
nearly all classes. During the past two days
the Police Courtroom has been con-
stantly crowded by representatives Of the in
telligence, enterprise, and wealth of the COM
munIty, and every witness and speaker has
been heard with that profound and patient
attention indicative Of the enormous results
involved. AS for the tobacco. dealers and
manufacturers, no more absorbing matter
ever claimed their attention or ELECTED their
sympathies. A member or trusted em.
ploye of nearly every one Of their firms has
been continually present In court since the
beginning of the prosecution, or suit, and
the defendants have had their undivided en-
couragement and support.
Some effort has been made to find out who
Is the employer Of Detective Weatberford.
and Judge Crump in vain endeavored TO eX-
tract that information from the detective
during the cross examination on Monsay,
-
an answer to the direct question. and he skill
fully parried every indirect effort to make
him reveal bis secret. Suspicion to some eX-
tent rests against one Of the State inspectors
of this city. 1t is but due to the accused
gentleman TO say that he denies all knowl-
edge of.the affair, though he coDfesses that
he would like 10 have seen some of the to-
bacco (never inspectedD caught in trausitu
from Lynchburg through Virginia cities to
foreign ports. That would have raised and
caused to be settled question which would
probably have carried with it the fate Of the
tobacco.inspecton laws of the State I'm.
doubtedly somebody is behind Detective
Weatherford, and it is safe to presume that
the party or parties are concerBed in the to-
bacco trade; also, that they desire to make
a test case Of this. II they had been actua-
ted By motives Of mere pecuuiary profit alone
they would not have bound Detective Wealth.
erford, as he says, never to claim any share
of the fees which, in remote contingency,
be might be entitled to as informer.
Captain Young, master Of the Tarpelap, a
bluff, houest-looking Briton, has been in
close attendance upon the trial. That be IS
deeply interested may be we'll imagined
when we remember that should tue views
of the Commouwealth's officers prevail he,
as captain and part owner Of the ship, would
be muIcted in large amount.
The testimony having been fully heard Oh
Monday, argument was opened yesterday
morning a. II O'Clock.
Mr.. c. Y. Meredith, acting Common.
weallh's attorney for the time being, took a
few minutes to read from an authority that
he relied on, that as far back as 1850 it was
specifically required By the Virginia statutes
that strips intended Tor exploration should
be inspected even if they had been pre-
viously inspected in the leaf.
Judge Crump commenced his argument
about 1880 O'Clock, and spoke for three
hours. His effort was most mastery one.
considered even in comparison with the
numerous ones which have given him such
an eminent position at the bar. He reviewed
tue history OF the Virginia inspection laws,
and astounded old tobacconists with the Va
rcty and extent Of his practical information,
He showed that these laws were Instituted
when Virginia had monopoly Of the STAPLE,
when it passed as currency, and when 1t was
necessary to maintain its standard, aud that
In former times all tobacco was inspected,
and such as was not Pissed" was " r.
fused" and burnt 10 prevent its getting
abroad and weakening the reputation OF Nlr'
ginia tobacco. Now the Uilest and medneS
Trash can be exported, and, therefore, the
reason for the passage of the law does moi
exist. Judge Crump further maintained
that tue courts must construe statutes Keep
ing in view reasons Of theSaw makers when
| framing them.
Mr.. Meredith occupied about an hour and
quarter in the delivery of his closing argu
| mtnt, and displayed abilities Of no common
order in the presentation of bis cause. Ht
conceded, however, that if there was any
doubt in the Police Justices mind be must
give tie shippers the benefi; Of it.
| The Police Justice made notes Of many
points of DO h counsel, and will this morning
deliver his opinion-probably from writing
! Yesterday afternoon Detective Weather
ford suggested to Mr.. Russell, collector O
internal revenue for this district, that were
the tobacco on board the Tarpeian brougb
ashore and reilspecIed it was not unlikely
that unstamped manufactured tobacco woult
be found among ii. Collector Russell tool
no action, and told reporter of this pape
that, as now advised, he intended to taxi
none.
The rumor afloat last evening that In cas-
Justice Waite dismissed the present prose
cutioD, or suit, another one would b'
initiated no doubt originated from the cir
cumslance above mentioned.