The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-07
MASON HIRSH AGAIN.
WHY THE ALLEGED sMUGGLED GOODS WERE
RELEASED ny SECRETARY BRIsTow-coL-
LEcToR ARTHUR STANDS BY HIS FAITHFUL
oFFicERs-Ms FINAL PAITHIAN ARROW

RELEASED ny SECRETARY BRIsTow-coL-
LEcToR ARTHUR STANDS BY HIS FAITHFUL
oFFIcERs-Ms FINAL pALTHIAx ARROW
WASHINGTON, April s, 1870
The controversy involved in the case Of Mason
Hirsn charged with smuggling goods to the value OF
So 900 the steamer Russia in the month Of Decem-
Der last likely to get quetus until the further
and latest charge that these goods after their reap
prasement released without payment OF tho
duties is settled by exhibition OF the Official docu-
ments disprovng the fact So far as the Secretary OF
the Treasury is concerned this payment Is taken to
have been made the imposition Of the duty Is duly
reported in the papers submitted with the termination
OF the controversy and must appear in the accounts OF
the New York Custom House at the end OF the period
at which financial statements are usually rendered
from that otce In all this matter there has been an
inner or
UNDER CURRENT,
IS well as the phase Of facts presented to tho public
through the newspaper accounts of what transpired
within the immediate Jurisdiction Of the officials OF the
Custom House in and near New York. II seems that
when the steamer Russia arrived At Jersey City IN the
middle OF December last the effects OF Mason Hrsh,
prominent merchant Of Philadelphia seized for
violation on his part OF the revenue laws On the out
ward seeming oil the circumstances attending this case
the iacts were so conclusive Of tho guilt Of Mr. Hirsh
that Collector Arthur, reposng In the fidelity OF his
trusty deputies pursued that to the utmost OF
his power in the desire only yndication
oil the law but the Justification OF the custom officers
who had resisted alleged bribery and had stringcntiy
executed the regulations given for their guidance in
such case as that presented In Mr. Hirshs Irregular
The counsel OF MT Hirsh having madc application
for the release Of his seized goods the Secretary OF tho
Treasury transmitted the application to Collector Ar
thur who returned tho following reply
STATEMENT COLLECTOR
CUSTOM HOUSE,. NEw York CIrr,l
CoLLKcroR's OFFICE. Jan. 5. 1875. !
an reply e Letter o. the 18TH ns
q Philadelphia for the release trunks seized iron
Mr. Mir. and ASKING me to report the nature and value Of
erly Of allegations
seized say siss The seizure referred a.ds
Sa RS1 ~ S
oath that his baggage consisted Of seven trunks,
.s"s ~. sss prior the Isf
her dock Nj. nirsh bnbe Of them with
PAY money to them rather than the
articles contained placed In ave trunks
81 Ts ST. sms S SEIZED
$3.50 ls The seizure In addition effect: in use
si piece Of vsiye. 81 packages linen pesss Of en-.
Ss Is Dss - a.r s ,s
silk dresses. dressing gowns and variety q small
' ssai Tis
the q s Gs sn ~
With Ss s,are +; tend to :sw in
duties opinion that The should b. investigated
Hon. b. n. BRIsrow. Secretary the Treasury
This correspondence started warm contest between
the friends oil Mr. Hrsh, one sde and Collector Ar
thur the other the latter adherng TO his opinion
that thc release Of tho goods would be direct
domination OF the seizng officers aud OF tho deputy coli
ecor and deputy surveyor OF Now York, both OF whom
corroborated all particulars the ahdaviis OF tho
spectorsn TIE Hirsh party went over to Washington
and laid before the Secretary OF the Treasury pile Of
letters from leading Bankers merchants and other cti-
nf tlnAp sht mi Torn
TO the excellent reputation for integrity and recttude
OF the old firm OF Messrs Hrsh Bros, merchants Of
that city, among the signers OF such letters received
being Messrs. Drexci, Morgan 4 Co., Mayor W. s
Stokley, the cashier OF OF the leading banks j.
the well known lawyer, John C. BullitI Distracted
by the contradictions between these testimonials
and the aldavits Of Collector Arthurs host Of dcpu
ties-the latter asserting attempted bribery and SNUG
gIing-the Solicitor OF the Treasury, Buford Wilson,
sent Treasury Agent A. X. Tlnele 70 New York TO in
vcstgate and report, with the result rected in last
Mondays HERALD THIS report was received January
D. and three days later viz, January 81, the goods
finally ordered TO be released and restored 10 Mr.
Hirsh In acknowledging the receipt OF this conclud-
ing and decisive paper, Collector Arthur discharged
THE FOLLOWING .PARrniAN ARRow':-
crsros ioysE, Nsw y ra c,r ,is
sR-Pursuant TO instructions contained in department
4 sAs s
S"rs e. n. The SF"s @ noms s0Tss o the r"
ciadiar s2o $1,000
The reapprntssment resulted increasing the
effects opera glass and box Of salts o
the value Of - 20 Tie appraiser also reported that
and they passed non-dutiable. Duties COL
ected upon the goods value $3.50 10 gold
Of Hrsh that tho dntiAbc goods
the value OF 80 francs only not being sustained by tho
reRpDraiscmcnt.
The seaskin coat was delivered to Hsh. he having
the dock that hts personal property IN
but duties collected upon H. examination
showed perfectly and Intended for Mr. Eisner
this city. (Scixure No. 1891 Very respectfully.
4. A. ARTHUR. Collector.
Hon. h. H. BRIsrow. Secretary Of the Treasury.
II ko "a sbo flkn
Treasury TO havo acted according 10 the best
light he could get upon tho SUBJECT while Collector
Arthur Ii not less commcndablc Tor standing by his
faithful officers. The susceptible Of conflict
ing Interpretation. and Treasury Department acted
tho hoef viov 4 rat ~