New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-04-22
HOW THE REyELAII


HOW THE REVELATIONS ARE RECEIVED.
PARTIAL DISCLOSURES BY IuE JAYNE INVEsnGA-
roN-HIsrOW OF THg SILK THREAD CLAIMS
FIRM, THAT WE'RE IGNORANT 81 ANY IIArD
Is IHT MATTER.
The revelations now making by General
y. ~ Curtis, Special Agent OF The Treasury, relative
to the system Of drawback claims prosecuted 1T tho
Custom House Ia this city, not matters OF new, Co.
NcW-Iurk lawyers generally. Something 81 the cofruI-
ton Of this system exposed years ago the jayne
Investigation, but tie full story never has
been and probably never viii b. told. Mot
OF the cases mentioned by General Curtis thus lar
have been very insignificant In amount compared TO
other drawback claims winch have been paid by the
Government. one 81 the largest Of these claims
Familiarity known the silk thread sHiudlr The
test over this claim furnishes good illustration Of
the way IN which the Government has been mulcc1 by
well devised and systematic Efforts \ gentleman init
matcy acquainted with the whole matter Las given the
following history OF this rather curious case:
large lot Of silk ribbons imported by several
firms In this city about 1868 As In the end Of the
ribbon a silk thread woven, 1t claimed that
these goods ought not to fall under the rules
for Six cloths. The customs officers dee d
that drawback would be allowed. the tnread
In the ribbons did not alter the character OF the goods
William 7. Fesscnden then Secretary OF the Treas
ury and appeal was made TO him from the decision
Of the Custom House officers, which fixed the
duty at 80 per cent suit also
brought against the Collector Of Customs at Boston,
10 get back the ten per cent which the importers al
hrmCd tine just and equitable drawback that the
Government should refund. Messrs. Craig Webster,
lawyers OF this city, took mp the case for the
importers. Judge Clifford decided the appeal favor
Of the Government. Then attempt made
to get declarative act Of Congress establishing the
duty on these goods at so per cent. IL was
lobbied through the Senate, and got into the
House with good prospect OF success. M Randall,
the present Speaker, laid violent hands 1t. de
nounced job Of the rankest kind and thoroughly
exposed 1t that the measure was beaten by slight ma
torlty.
After Mr. Boutwell, came into the Treasury Depart
ment preparations made by Craig and Webster for
another onslaught They made arrangements by which
the merchants were to receive oRe-haf the amount
recoyered-cacuated be several millions They were
10 take the balance paying they fit for the aid
Of lawyers aud others whose help they might call In
They at once engaged General Benjamin f. Butler. He
proposed 10 refer the entire matter TO Attorney
General Williams. II his decision sustained the
action OF the! Government then all suits would be
discontinued II decided In favor OF the merchants
then the Government 10 pay the 10 per cent draw
back This proposition agreed TO. Mr. Williams had
been counsel for many Of the firms who are now bringing
claims before his appointment Attorney General ana
his decision was almost foregone conclusion. few
DAYS after the presidential election Of 1872, Williams
made long report IN favor OF the merehants-as every
one acquainted with the inside history o tne Hhter
g AZ This time Secretary Boutwell, was I'm Massa
chusetts On his way through THIS CITY 70 washington ne
tho great drain that woud DO mace on inc treasury ~
the payment OF these claims He al once declared
that he would not pay cent Oh sueh drawback