New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-30
THE COURTS.
THE LAWRENCE DECISION.

POSSIBILITY THAT HE MAY EXPOSE MS CONvEpv
INSTRUMENTATION FEATURES OF THE CASE.
In regard to the decision which was rendered
on Tuesday In the Lawrence by Judge Benedict of
the United states Circuit Court United States District
Attorney Bliss said yesterday that its eject would be to
make Lawrence plead guilty not guilty the second
wednesday In May What the effect OF the decision upon
International feeling might be he could not say. rs had
no doubt that Lawrence would DO willing to escate the
penalty lis oense in any way possible even by ex
posing his confederatcs in the Custom-house "a wa,
stated I'm Washington dispatches yesterday. However
ne considered Lawrence's testimony worthless and
thought that, IN any event would De given only against
persons who had already been removed from their Do
sit ons.
Gen b. +. Foster, Assistant Distrct-Auorncy In the
criminal department, who argued the demurrer (Which
has Just been decdcd for the Government SAID cousd
cradle discussion had been going forward in regard 10
incorporaing in the treaty OF 1912 the Act Of Parla.
mcnt OF 1870, which provided that extraded person
should be tried for any other oense than that upon
which the warrant OF extraditiOn was founded That
provision he said intended to prevent the exrld
Of any for alleged crime when the real pur.
pose the person account Of political Of
lenses, and put him on trial for sacn oGenses Bat
such an agreement could not be mad0 by the United
States the laws Of the states different For IL
stance, the OF WinslOw, this Government could
not say 10 Great Britain that he should not be ied for
any onsc other than that for which he might be extra
dted for his oense not against the laws OF the United
States but against the laws OF Massachusetts.
b. +. Tracy, counsel for Lawrence said he was sur
prsed the had not attracted public attention.
and had been discussed by the press. H. thought It's
bearing the meaning and scope Of the existing extra
dlton treaties OF toe utmost Importance, aud
garied 10 highly probable that prosecution OF Law.
renee for smuggling would result IN the annulmont by
Great 6Tain O the eXtradltlOn ucaiy with this COM
try Gen Tracy said the prosecution charged Lawrence
with smuggling and with having signed the names Of
certain persons to pap usefgl In carrying Snug
Cling. In his belief the laws OF this country would not
punish this Onense forgery, but smuggling. The
question then arose, Could Lawrence, who was extra
di,od FOR forgery be prosecuted FOR smuggling FOR
any other Offense not mentioned IN the treaty.
cured perfect immunity 10 Lawrence from
prosecution for any oensc except forgery until after ne
had been allowed to return to Great Britain. Bul aside
from the treaty, the agent OF this Government entered
into express agreement with the agent OF Great
Britain that Lawrence should be tried only for forgery
The aspects OF this had nterfcred with the extra
Oition of WnsOw the Boston forgrr Great Britain de-
manding that he should be projected from prosecution
for other Oenscs By legislative enactment before being
surrendered 10 United states authorities Cen Tracy
thought extraditiOn treaty had significance,
applying crimes against humanity" IL the principle
applied to the Lawrence were good, for
yht lie cXradited RON foreign COuntryOn trumpet
up charge forgery, and then tried for political or
other Oiense, appertalning To class OF offenders 10
whom all foreign countries profess 10 Olef az asylum
Tracy knew nothing of any intention Oh the part OF
Lawrence to expose ms cOnfedcrltes IN The Custom.
house provided the Government gave him immunity.