The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-19
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, May Is, 1879
FEDERAL OFFICIALS IN LoUIsIANA-THE CUES
TON OF IMMUNITY TO MAJOR sEELYE-THR
EXPORTS TO SUPPRESS THE TESTIMONY
IRREGULARITIES DETAILED BIZ AN xMPLoYH
OF THE NEW ORLEANS CUSTOM HOUSE.
The select Committee on Federal Offices in Louisiana
held secret session last night at which the resolution
offered by Mr. Blackburn directing the Chairman 10
ask the Attorney General for immunity for the witness
Seclye adopted by a strict party vote. The CON-
m,tee had secret session to-day, at which the Chair
reported that he had applied to the Attorney Geo.
application be made in writing
The committee then examined @. W. Ferguson, OF
Now Orleans employee In the Custom house at that
place, who testified that he employed In the Gus
tom House when he left New Orleans to here and
that his purpose Ia coming here to expose Of
tho irregularities Of the Custom House.
Mr.. Ayrc. OF New Orleans, witness at the hotel
In this city since he arrived here and asked witness
what he going testify about and told him that II
would injure the republican party New Orleans
Ayrc also told witness that Mr.. Hcrwig, Deputy Col
lector at New Orleans, had plenty Of money and
could bring hundred witnesses 10 prove that
could not be believed under OATH witness replied that
he did think that could be done, and witness re-
Of the witnesses who might testify before this
committee as Ayre IS deputy marshal and brother IN
law Of Marshal Packard; witness did obtain leave OF
absence when he here and told Ayrc that he ex-
pected to have his head OF the LIST OF the month
Ayrc replied that he would do II he In their place
as the Custom House.
o. Now tell Us what you know about any frauds.
Witness said he was employed in the sugar room in
the Custom House 1875 when twelve purport-
Ing contain guava jelly were received Mt the Custom
House. consigned TO a man named Huaard aud the
eases taken TO the OF Mr.. Hassoh; big
box only contained jelly and the other eleven
tanned cigars tho case containing jelly was opened
IN the presence Of witness and other laborers and
they were then told that there work to Do
done that day, and they went away witness secretly
returned and the jolly box opened but he pri-
contained cigars the cases contained IL 900 cigars
the fraud consisted In entering them as jelly the
duty the cigars was ~ 50 per pound, twenty-five
per cent I'D vaorcm duty and the internal revenue
loss 70 the government amounted 10 quite sum,
which tho witness was not able to submit TIL to NOR
row.
To Mr. Congcr-The cases wcrc al marked s'Esccp-
cion brand, indicating them 10 be cigars the
Of jelly was marked 10 represent cigars the marks were
all alkc all this occurred In March, 1875 witness told
Mr. Darrsll about this matter about three weeks ago
and told his brother OF VI when 10 occurred had mover
notified any official Of this fraud; afraid he would
lose his place. and did not think Il would expose the
fraud II he had done rs they all In tho ring
together.
The witness then detailed statement about 40 600
cigars that had been shipped 70 New Orleans March,
1873 which were nvoccd ~ 20 0O0 and they were de-
livered to Mr. NcCarty on the payment or duty on
10000 only. Mr. McCarty made the entry on these
cigars nj the Custom House. but they were taken 20
Massochs storo Witness said that Mr.. Massoch was
large importer, and his fraudulent practices In import
ing cigars had broken down the small Importers some
whom have said that they could buy cigars OF Mas
soch $40 per 1000 cheaper than they could import
them for