The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-23
hamilton fTsH's sOY-IN-LAW.


The revelations now making 10y Gen. n. VI.
Curtis Spcrial Nynn' ~ the Treasury. rclntivc
~ The cyst, q, draWb back claims Is prosecuted
tors ofnrw- - N"w Work lawyers generally. ono
~ tn" largest OF tn"4c claims Wds iumilinrly
known rs Sac sits thread swndlc. A gentleman
intimately acquainted with the whole matter
has given the following history ~ this rather
curious rHSr
A large lot of silk ribbons was imported Ivy
several firms ~ this city nnuut sGj. A. in the
end 81 the Ribbon e VA thread WA woyrn. Il
under the rules fcr nix cloths. The Gus uuis
officers declared that nu drawbacks would W. al
lowed, RS the thread In he ribbons did not alter
the character OF III" Eoods. Mnlinm H. Frssrn-
den was then Secretary of tho Treasury and an
appeal was made {" i'm from The decision OF
the Custom Housr "n"crS. which fixed the duty
ut 60 per cent. SUIT WAS also brought agninst
the Collector 81 Customs at Bosion. to get back
the lOper cent. which the importers affirmed
was the Just and equitable drawback that the
Government should refund. Mcssrs. Craig and
Webster lawyers of this city, took up the casc
for the importers. Judge Clifford decided the
appeal In favor Of the Goycrnmeh. Then an
attempt was madc ~ get dcclarntivc act of
Mt ~ per cent TWAS lobbicd through the Sen
ate. and got into the House with good pros
g"ct 81 1 ,S s,on Mr. hSsnda nG nTes1G,
as II Job OF the rank"st kind and SO thoroughly
exposed u that the measure wns beaten by
After Sir. Boutwell, came into the Treasury
Department preparations were made 10y Craig
and Webster for another onslaught. They
made arrangements by which the merchants
were 10 receive onc-half the amount recovered
-calrulnted to bc several millions. They wcrc
o. take tie balance. paying aS tucy SAW III Tor
the aid OF lawyers and others whose lclp they
nligh call ia. They ut once engaged Gen. Ben
amin T. Butler. lie proposed 20 refer tho en-
tire matter to Attorney General Williams. If
his decision sustained the u tiun of tho Govern
nleni. then all suits would los Discontinued. IL
h" decided in favor Of the merchants. then the
Government was 10 pay the 10 pr cent. draw
back. This proposition WIS agreed tO. Mr..
NillianlH had been counsel for many OF the
0rms who are now bringing claims. before his
appointment ~ Auorney-Gcneral and his de-
cson was almost fOrcgone conclusion, a
lew DAYS after the presidential election OF 1872.
NllllnDh made n long report i'll favor OF the
mcrvhnnts-as every ono acquainted with the
inside history OF the matter knew pc would
AT this time Secretary Boutwell, WIS in Mas
snchus'.tts. On his way through this city to
Washington ho wus informed OF the character
OF these operations. and tho great drain That
would be made on the Treasury in the pay.
m"nt OF thcSr claims. lie at omen declared that
be would not pay cent 81 such drawback.
Things began to wear IN ugly look Tor the
claimants, when u vacancy occurred III Tue
United stat = Srnator~hip from Massachusetts,
md Mr.. Boutwell, wHs elected to MI il. This re-
Richardson. his chirI assistant got his place rs
Secretary Of the Treasury. declared TINT Attor-
nry-Gcnrral W Villains decision should DO ac-
ceptrd. and ordered That Claims to the amount
importers or tins sum il has been said thui
Gen. Butler got Ii per cent. Mcssrs. Craig and
Webster % per cont. and tho importers 30 p"r
cent. Tho money VIA all paid. ard the answer
going to do about NJ The mon " was refund
ed on the decision Of United states officials.
most OF whom are now out ~ Office. Ihcre
have doubtless been mnny changes IN nrms
cult matter 10 eNhumo and ut anything solid
out of II.