New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-05-30
4 YOUNG MERCHANTS CRIME

SENTENCE OF MAYER TO STATE PRISON FOR TWO
YEARS AND HALF FOR TEAUD UPON CREDITORS
JUDGE BARRETT's REMARKS.
The conviction of Mayer, the young Hebrew
merchant obtaining goods under false pretencos has
attracted much attention and many business men were
present when he sentenced yesterday. The firm OF
Hirsch & Mayer was formed IN February. 1874 IL at
peared IN the evidence trial that MIR Mayer rep
resented that the capital $4,000, and on tins
statement goods amounting IN value 10 S1O,OOO were
purchased about thirtyve dry goods commission
houses during the three four months preceding Apr
T. 1876 Some Of the creditors then obtained an attach
men and the books seized The assests were found
TO be SO 800 The members OF the firm were arrested
and held In large bail about twenty civil suits. The
indictment against Mr. Mayer obtained In February
1879 and the creditors who started the proceedings
Converse, Stanton & Davis; RhOades, Grosyenor &
Co. and C. IL. & +. b. Blakel pledged Themselves to
prosecute Mr.. Mayer without making any settlement
The c0mplainants were Converse Stanton Davis. Mr.
Davis testified that when Mr. Mayer purchased goods
worth 50 600. he represented that tine firm had $4,000
intact while in fact 1t nsolvent TO the amount OF
$1,000. The schedules in bankruptcy showed that the
firm owed $4,000. The case occupied several days in
the trial. Assistant, Distrct Attorney Russell and L. E.
Curtis appearing for the prosecution, and W. A Beach
and J. 7. Crane Tor the defence.
Mr. Mayer was aTraigned before Judge Barrett yeSter-
day for sentence m9uon for new tria was denied.
Judge Barrett said " The duty that Is imposed upon
the Court this IS very responsible, and delicate
one which luly appreciate, AT the outset We
not but notice that tho prosecution IN this has
partakeu IN the slightest degree OF anything OF the
persecution, but II seems 10 have rrOccened
upon the highest and best puzzle motives It's salts
factory to see SeW-Gork merchanta taking high
public grounds and seeking to stamp out fraud and
fraudulent bankruptcy Without regard their
sOnal interests Tnere Il tnat atmosphere about this
prosecution We entroated TO be narciIul but
anbsfapal grounds and we cannot fail to see that the
OF undue cicmency wcui only servo TO neutra
| lize what has been done to punish undoubtedly
| fraudulent BANKRUPTCY. At the same time there
! il one consideration TO which viii advert which
should make slight difference in this CASE and
liz thls That evidence strongly tended To that
there is another who Is gultier nan you, and wOud
a reflection upon the administration OF Justice II
should he punished and that other should escape. In
case be alude Is ultimately brought TO the
bar Justice, the Court shOud be in position
crnnalo and 10 indicate By Its judgment Its opinion OF
that others greater guilt"
MAYER was sentenced 10 state Prison at hard labor for
two years ard months, and 1ned $4,000, Assistant
District Attorney Russell says that since the conviction
Of MAYER there have been applications made at the
District AttorneJs office for more than forty lndic
lnents similar cases.