The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-09
The Dead-Head Rolls of the Cust0m-
Hnnse-InMiiilng Nitnessea

There can be no doubt OF the fact that the
present United States grand jury has given the
United States officials duartered In the Custom
House decidedly more trouble and has occa-
stoned them more anxiety than any body OF a
similar character ever convened since the
G. ante building became place OF refuge and
almshouse for the leaders Of the Republican
party and their immediate followers.
The doeility with which the jury obsyed the
mandates of the United States District Attor-
ney and the readiG ess and rapidity with which
they turned out all the political indictments
they were called upon to find led the faithful Of
the Ora mite building to believe that they had
the body we'll under control, and they we're con-
graduating themselves that it was Just the sort
Of jury they wanted.
But they have been disappointed
disappointed. Having exhausted the political
grist for their indictment, the jury proceeded
to hunt mp grist of different character and
1t was suggested to them that the Custom House
was good place to look for it. They took the
hint. and for some time past have been bugiiy
engaged In inquiring into the interior work
ings OF the several departments Of the customs
service In the building. They have worked
under difficulties. every obtacle being thrown
In their way not only by the Custom House peo-
pie themselves, but also by the officers Of the
Notwithstanding this. they have succeeded in
finding two indictments. as has previously been
published-one against Madison Wells, Sur
veyor Of the Port, for selling position, and one
against Demas for paying for one.
| Since these indictments were turned In the
| court the jury has been following up the line
OF Investigation which led to them, and they
| have
| STRUCK NINE.
After much opposition on the part OF inter-
ested persons they succeeded In getting pos
session OF the pay rolls Of the Collectors office.
and their examination has developed the fact
that large number Of persons. some OF them
of considerable prominence. have been draw
ing money and performing no work. These
men are not all Republicans. for several DEM
ocrats prominent in ward politics appear either
| In their own or under assumed names, ana
| there are also quite number Of the so-caileu
| boiling Democrats, Who went into the National
party movement.
The Jury is not just ready to make the names
public, but the leading men CT the body express
their intention of bringing the parties 70 justice
ifthere s any law to reach them. anu the onlteo
States district attorney will allow them 70 re-
main IN session sufficient number Of consec-
ntive davs before the ex piration OF their term,
to draw ND the indictments. Thedistrit attor-
nov has playful habit of adjourning the jury
whenever their proceedings get interesting. II
now stands adjourned until Wednesday next.
The Jury has had considerable difficulty in
securtne the attend 4nce of witnesses competent
to testify as to the rolls. the Custom House peo-
ple having taken the necessary steps to secure
their absence. The Uuited States deputy mar
shals have for several days been looking FOR
very i'm portant one. who Is tied as the best
posted man In the building" aud who was
daily seen about the Custom House up to the
time the subpoena for him was issued With iig
Issuance he disappeared