The sun., 1879-02-22
PRICE TWO CENTS.
FRAUDS IN NEW ORLEANS.
THE GOTERNMENT OPENLY SWINDLED
BIZ THE TOBACCO ENG.


Revenue OHc,ai. the Active Promoter. ana
Chier Benz nctaries OF the EIng-CoiIector
Morris Marks Impitcated-HIs Appeal.
New ORLEANS, Feb. H.--For some years a
Tobacco Ring has existed here which has almost
openly swinded the Government Of large
amounts OF stamp taxes Recent investiga-
tion has brought all its operations to light
The arrested manufacturers showed fight foi
awhile but straw bonds not being acceptable.
they had to come TO terms. Most OF these aro
now compromising with the Government
on the best terms obtainable. The frauds
we're largely committed by the bucket
game The fve-cent bucket contains ten
pounds. and bears n stump OF s2.4O The
custom has been to leave these stamps unvar-
nished and uncnncelled. and attach them to the
buckets by very weak paste. The stamps were
used from ten TO fifteen times each. This. OF
course could not be done without the con-
nivance OF the Internal Revenue Department
here. The manufacturers. finding themselves
in for II. finally laid down on the officials. II
has not been supposed. hitherto thatthe officials
were the active promoters OF the Ring and its
chief benefciaries. Nevertheless. such appears
TO have been the fact
As in the case OF the St. Louis whiskey Ring.
the Tobacco Ring originated In the brains Of the
officials. By system OF blnckmail these forced
in aud rob tho Government for tho benefit OF
its officers were quietly squeezed out Of the
trade. The honest manufacture Of tobacco
was made impossible. All the ramincations OF
the plot have not yet been followed out. Enough
Is known. however to authorize a statement
that Morris Marks. Collector of Internal Reve-
nue., l.. more than all others. the guilty man.
He did not originally take kindly TO the lnves-
tgation ordered from headquarters. He only
took part later, when. as now appears, he was
compelled 10 do so. to screen. II possible, his
own guilty connection with the frauds. This he
succeeded in doing Tor some time. The past
involved manufacturer to escape the meshes Of
the law. The operation WIS suuelched. Rem
dercd desperate. the mnnufacturer squealed.
and the, whole story OF Marks's responsibility
came out The interests of public justice re-
quire some longer reticence. but all the incts
Will become public in few days
Marks with tho usual cowardice Of his class.
seeks TO lay the blame upun one Sumner Long.
chief deputy in his offce, THIS will not avail him,
sumner. and offered his plnce TO l.. T Cham
pin. formerly Deputy Collector OF Customs.
Ceine proteeG Of zGcb. Champiin was n6y to
The place was then offered TO and accepted
~ peculiar Al protegc OF Kellogg ,taken
has urgently appealed 10 those at Washington
upon whom he thinks he has agrip. II Is Doubt
lul whether these dare interfere. IL is not To be
| Marks for his share in involving them in the
| 81. Martin scandal. His services ns an eector
| and d witness have been. in the public estlma-
| tiun. amply compensated He stands Ia the po-
stion OF a detected swindler. 1t Is not
| believed that the Administration dare protect
| him. The evidence OF his guilt is said to
have been laid before the United States Grand
| Jury. This body has given public proof that /.
will not be diverted 10y threats or promises from
the pertorinance OF its duties. II is certain that
| Marks's Washington friends will be- unable to
protect him from the action OF the United States
courts. The community is anxious that the
| fight shall, go on to the bitter end. and the
sympathy OF all that Is honest and manly in
| Louisiana is with the Republicans. who have
| forced u on and are pressing 1t to legitimate
| cOncusion.
On the 18th the United States Grand Jury
| came into court and asked additional instruc-
| tons from Judge Billings. The Judge instruct.
| ed that they were Ht liberty to examine any
| mntter brought 10 their notice hy the District
| edge or which was brought to their knowledge
| Certain OF tho Jurors. IL is understood. Il min.
oriiy OF whom have all along acted In the in,
| tcreSi Of the Ring. affected to understand the
| instructions 10 mean that they were not at lily
| erty TO examine any matter not deemed by the
| Later In the day they presented In court a sue.
| cinct statement Of facts which had been
| testified before them. Both judge Bill
| linEs and Judge Woods are now Informed
| officially that he Grand Jury as early rs Jan.
| %. found true bills which the District Attorney
| has thus far refused 20 embody as Indictments
| The statements OF the jury seriously implcate
certain prominent Custom House officials. II
| ~ not believed that the Judges will hesitate 10
| do their duty IN the premises. On them ut all
events. has been east the sponsi bility Of sup
| Pressing ne prosecution u they dare take that
course. II this should be the course tHsen.
means will br found TO make public all the owl
denee upon which the bills found were based.