New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-12
INFORMERS or DOUBTFUL UORTH

AN FX-APPRAISFR ARRESTED on HIS own ATFIDA-
yIT-INsrANCEs OF BLACK-MnLiNG COMING TO
LIGHT.
Ex-Appraiser William Marsh. one of the lnformers
against importers. referred to in Yesterdays lHB-
UNE has come prematurely 70 grief in his efforts at
reforming the Custom House Mr.. Marsh was an
examiner of watches in the Appraisers stores for
many years. Two or three years ago he was under
investigation because of some watches that found
their way in an irregular manner from the APP
praser's stores to the store of Hammond d
Co.. wholesale jewellers, but the affair was
settled, and MIR. Marsh retained his place.
Afterwards he was removed from Office.
For some time he remained quiet. but.the recent
breaking ND of the old order of things in the Custom
House brought to Mr.. MaTshs mind "reminiscences
of his official life, and few davs ago he fenenbcr
ed some transactions of serious character which he
nut in an affidavit and placed IN possession of the
Government. his affidavit was to tie effect that
Eichbcrg ~ Co., importers Of watches, AT No ~
Maiden Lane, had passed through tho custom House
al an differentiation, on October %, 1879, 10
valuable gold watches. To prove the fact OF under
valuation in the most positive manner, Mr.. Marsh
swore That he had been paid by the firm 1925 for
passing each case (sX watches 10 the easel. The
Government evidently took Mr.. Marsh at hs word.
Samuel Eichberg, the head of tie firm of Eichberg
Il Co.. was Leld III $1,000 bail 10 await eXamlna-
ton into the truth of Marslps charges, and Marsh,
having sworn to his own guilt, was arrested yester
dav and held by Commissioner Osborn in $500
bail His examination Will be set down for some
day next week
Instances of bold attempts at black-mail by some
of The eX-nspectOrs and appraisers have come to
light within the past two or three days. One firm,
whose name is withheld FOL the present, aclnOw
lodges having paid $500 TO proven: prosecution and
pubcity. and several reputable business houses
have received letters making open demands for
money which will be used IN evidence should the
threatened prosecution be berun. At the United
States District Attorneys Office, the allegations
against reputable business firms are being carefully
sifted and as far possible names are withheld
from the newspapers until the charges seem to be
we l-fOundcd.
Thomas Russell Of the firm of Thomas Russell 4
Co.. general agents, for Clark's spool cotton who was
ares ed Tuesday last, on the complaint OF an eX
appraiser for passing through the Custom House at
an undervaluatiOn a large quantity Of spool cotton
appeared yesterday before Commissioner Osborn
but the hearing was postponed until next saturday
or Monday. Tue only item specified ~ the affidavit
is that OF 40 cases of spool cotton brought uiO TINS
mort from GLASGOW January II. 1873 Mr.. Russell
SAID to a ImBUNE reporter that inns was case oil
blackmal The firm had been in existence in this
city about 81 years and no one had ever been able
10 point out any fraud in its transactions. he firm
did business solely on commission loT manufacturers
in Great britain When cotton, sent 10 their
FIRMS address, arrived at the Custom House the du
ties were paid and the stock was often sold with
out any Of the principals even seeing 1t, and sght
errors IN chi be made. If any made
they were corrected as soon aS pointed out About
a wear ago an appraiser called on MIR. Russell and
tired 10 eXtOrt money from HIM. When Mr.. Russell
refused to give him any, the appraiser threatened TO
give him trouble. MI Cunning, MI. Kussclfs coun-
sell said that the eX-apprascr who made the present
comp. amt against the firm the same who
attempted TO cXtort money from Mr.. Russell, and
that his name Sherlock, one of the Jayne
clique, and that this was case OF biackmail
spool cotton pays duty according 10 its weight. and
tie whole ques ion i'll this is whether not the
weight of two large cases. that arrived at the
time with smaller packages. was properly charged.
Ii was discovered that an error had been made IN
estimating the customs dues and that 124 was still
due on the two cases. This paid by the
firm as soon as the discovery made. Sherlock
was dismissed from the Custom House several
Months ago.