New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-13
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
SMUGGLING BY THE NATIONAL LINE.
THE CoMPANY's ATTEMPT TO COMPROMISE BY The
PAYMENT OF A NOMINAL ZINE.


THE CoNfPANYs ATTEMPT TO COMPROMISE BY The
PAYMENT OF A NOMINAL FINE.
Efforts are being made by the managers OF
the National Steamship Line TO effect compromise with
the Government Of the libel suits against the steamships
Denmark and England, for being engaged IN SIX
smuggling. The illegal traffic was carried on
by the employees OF this line for some time before
It was discovered and broken up by Captain Bracket
He followed John Scott the ringleader, into Canada
Scott was induced TO this city, where he turned
States evidence owens, puTser Of the England, and
Graaf storekeeper convicted, and are now serv
ing years sentences in the Kings County Peniten
tary Several other officers Of the National Line were
indicted and placed under bonds which they have since
forfeited. The value OF the goods struggled
amounting 70 81 100000 and the loss Of duty TO the
Government reaching over 100000, the steamships
500 200 and the latter for 100000 The suits have
not yet tried and has been reported that the Ma
including Cortlandt Parker, ONew-Jersey, to effect
compromise with the Government 49,
Government official said yesterday: MT. Parker
recently asked woOdford If the suits
would be dismissed on the payment by me company OF
nominal ne Of So 900 for each Is understood
that Mr. WOOdfOrd expressed Willingness TO recommend
such a settlement. Captain Bracket, who worked up
called upon Mr. WOOdfOrd for an explanation,
and was Informed by the Distriet-Attorney that
ne had not agreed TO any such compromise. captain
Bracket afJerward discovered an entry on the DIS
aoeEs1 @ ny MI PaT "a as o
for the National Line. captain Bfaekett re. re-
that he had an abundance OF evidence to sustain the
Hbes and requesting that he be advised before the SUITS
which had already cost the Government Sl25,OOO, De
settled for 81 600 Mr.. Parker subsequently went to
Washington to reLew his offer of compromise, ana
asked for COPY Captain Brackets report which was
objected to by Attorney General Dcvcns.
General WOOdfOrd said last evening: 81 have no
authority to compromise these SUITS that power belong
ing exclusively TO Secretary sherman. know That
COrtand Parker has made proposition TO settle the
cases by the payment OF nominal fine OF $1,000 ana
am free 10 say that when opinion is asked as to the
proper disposition OF the cases, shall not
hesitate to recommend that they be dismissed
on the payment Of q nominal fine l beleye
that the owners and masters OF vessels arriving al s
mort should be made understand that they must ana
the Government in suppressing smuggling; but DO not
think Il Is the policy OF the Government or the intention
OF the law TO punish innocent stockholders, many oil
whom are widows and orphans, by conhscating large
ocean steamers that cost quarter OF million or dollars
because q waiter, barReeper sculOn on one
of these vessels is caught in the act OF SNUG
Cling Such q course would be exceedingly
Stringent and onerOus and would tend 70 cripple, not
ruin our carrying trade In the prosecution OF the SIX
smuggling cases. have sent two OF the company
employees to prison. When the OWneIs OF the National
Line are willing admit that smuggling was earned
on by their vessels without their knowledge
and consent, and they express regret that II
should have been done, accompanied by an OHer
10 pay nominal fine of $4,000 shall certainly recon-
mend its acceptance and feel that have done my fu
duty both 70 the Government and the public ANY other
action, my opinion, would look very much ike per-
RpcntlOD"