New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-04-09
r. j. MOSES 4 PRISONER.
ARRESTED BY PRIVATE DETECTIVES.

PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ARREsT-A WRIT
OF HABEAs CORPUS IssUED-GovERNoR MOSES
| RKTICENT-wHAT SHERIFF BOWEN SAYS
The arrest of Ex-Governor Franklin j. Moses,
of South Carolina, in this city created some surprise yes
terday The fact that he had been arrested for alleged
forgery on requison that had not been presented TO
! the Governor Of this State, commented upon As
! stated in THE Tribune yesterday. Mr. Moses passed
the night at the Police Central Office After his arrest
Sunday night, he sent message to Charles s. spencer
Spencer called the prisoner yesterday morning
They had a long conference. and Mr. spencer decided
that the first thing be done was 10 apply for VIII OF
habeas corpus and accordingly he went TO Judge Dono
hue for that purpose Judge DonOhue granted the writ
returnabe to-day, 10 produce Mr. Moses, in Supreme
Court Chambers test the Legality Of his arrest The
petition forth that Governor Robinson has not yet
granted any warrant OF extradon, and that the alleged
crime falsely indorsng note which by its terms gives
usurlous interest, LIZ per cent month, and Is there
fore void.
The Ex-Governor of South Carolina was allowed to go
about the Police Headquarters building yesterday under
the guard Of two detectives TRIBUNE reporter found
him in the museum Of the detective Office large ana
airy room, around the walls OF which hung The numer
GUS and curious weapons Of thieves and burglars ana
murderers the trophies Of quarter OF century OF
police work Sitting in easy chair with detective
on each side OF him. Of SINAI, stature dressed
in plain light coored business suit, and wearing no
iewery OF ornaments His face at once attracted ntten
ton, lit up it by pair of small piercing dark
gray eyes which dared restessy at each visitor to the
room and then scanned closely the souvenirs OF crime
around him. Long ron-Gray hair hung down over his
! coat collar. his high cheek-bOnes were covered with
slight browniSh beard, while fierce mustache partially
curled up about OF unusual proportions. Nhat-
ever NAV be his merits the former Governor OF South
Carolina is certainly not handsome man. IS the men
time Another thought is mat 1t would be difficult to
take photograph OF him; he IS never long ID one pace
not even in chair as lie continually mOves from sqe
side, apparently very nervous or uncoioItdoIc III
his seat But the reporter arrested bis S attention
in placing his feet in tho only vacant chair becd his
words. II evident that he was adverse 10 an inter
~ am NOT exactly prisoner" he said. "MOst Of tho
TRIBUNE is correct IN saying that only detained
here while thenecessary eXtradon papers are secured
Then you are willing prisoner, and -"
| 81 have nOtyet been arrested
| "But did not Deputy-Sherh ConnOrS find you on
| Broadway, last night and bring you here
"NO, sir have not seen MI. COnnOrs In this city.
What a curious internal machine that's there DO you
II do sir; nor do understand how you came here
q" 1t will all be explained at the proper time I sup
pose that Jimmy hanging in that case would bring al
%Yss, sir; bat Governor the roquisitiOn papcr
! that you wrote Mr. WOOdruds name across note you
had drawn In nl; favor. and Thus committed forgery
Now can you tell me
| al can't tell yOn ANYTHING al ALL sir"
! GLOW long have yOu been in the city Mr.. Moses"
| about three months-maybe little longer"
al you have given this city your place OF resi-
| deuce Do you prefer it TO south CaroimaP
S m e SaTb Hs 5a ag ' e ho% I'VE W @
OF the in the Union but he did not like of IT'S
but continued to comment the relics in the museum
As the reporter leaving the room he said: Colonel
! leased soon a writ OF habeas corpus"
COMMENTS on TIE CASE.
Mr. Spencer counsel for Ex-Governor Moses said he was
awakened at o'clock in the morning by friend Of the
prisoner and gave his attention Immediately to the
| case. He found the reluistOn issued by Governor
| Hampton but no warrant from Governor Robinson for
the arrest OF Moses had telegraphed to Governor
Robinson mootng the question OF there being forgery
endorsement was usuIlous and therefore Invalid the
| telegram az fOllOwsi
No. Nos B BGS;R.9 Il ,6 Y April g 1873
In the matter Governor Moses, alleged forgery Of
Isany personal obligation created G. &. SPENCER
A friend OF Mr.. Moses VINO was frequently in CONVEX
Governor ascbed this act of persecution" 70 sheriff
Eowen OF Charleston VINO was ID the ety ana was s
malice The cause for this he refused like M Moses.
the case than could then be made public. He DIS.
posed think that the arrest was irregular but said
10 resist the detectives who arrested him, and whO far
as he then knew, were armed with fun authority .,
Sheriff Bowen, Of Charleston aud John . COnnors OF
Charleston were found yesterday afternoon a. the st.
he was supposed to have instigatcd tho ar.
rest OF Mr. Moses, replied that he had nothing
business He had been asked 10 make the arrest but de-
cned to do so. and Governor Hampton had gwen Mr.,
gave account Of the recent history Of the Gov
ernor. Mr.. Moses had al excellent wife and family, he
said who would Dc the only persons 10 suffer Moses
sent TO the penentlary as In all probability he
would be- the present dihcnty OF Moses dated back
finally deserted his family entirely and went TO
year ago last Winter he wished . buy about 5000
worth Of jewery OF James Allan OF Charleston for this
woman Mr.. Allan told him that If he would get good
Endorsement to his note. he would accept the note IN
payment for the 1eweIy Mr. Moses afterward brought
ruff, which Slr Allan regarded sufficient security.
But meeting Mr. Woodruff some time afterwdrd, the
latter declared that be had never made any such iu-
dorsement. Mr., Moses was then invited TO return the
ewelry or suffer PROSECUTION Most Of the jewery had
tOpay could not return He his wife
tercede prevent prosecution for the forgery Moses
promised to change his manner of life and reform. But
for the jewelry. The woman he had been living with
left Charleston, and three months Moses followed.
coming NcwIork. But before leaving, he attempted
to raise money on his fathers tombstone He iu-
and on that Moses realized SlOO cutting mother of
from property worth ~ 800 Then he packed up the
clothes valued perhaps at between one and two thou
sand dollars. TO tins city, and disposed of them.
Mr. Connors sad he had been in the city four days
He was advised to place the matter OF mailing
, the arrest in the hands OF the detectives aud
did He regarded IL as a common proceeding. Mr..
Moses had been Indicted by the Grand Jury and Cover
Wade Hampton had placed in his hands requisi-
ton on Governor Robinson for the prisoner He dd not
FIRST seek procure warrant OF arrest from Governor
ure for Albany and ende Mr.. Connors said be
should take the evening train for Albany and hoped 10
obtained a warrant. He did not believe the prisoner
would be released writ Of habeas corpus, because
the Court would allow reasonable time 10 procure a
warrant The plea that the Endorsement not for
gerry the usuHOus. did not bold good
because the present usury law was not In existence
| when the note was drawn.
Ex-Governor Daniel IL. Chamberlain said yesterday
that he knew little Of the motives or circuns tuccs
which brought about the arr est OF exGOyernOr MOse
He did believe that Il the Intention OF the south
Carolina authorities TO prosecute Moses on old political
scores because 10 understood when Moses turned
States evidence before the investigating committee
tlat he was granted immunity from his political ana
official offences He heard month ago that measures
were beng taken 10 secure the arrest Of Moses Tor pT
Yate offences In OF his recent utter debasemen
| IL Appoaren ehOnlI have NJ