New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-10-22
CITIZENS BY PERJURY.
FRaUDs IN THE COURrs

DEMOCRATIC FRAUDS IN The COURTS.
A sCHEHE ny WHICH VOTES FOR HANCOCK WIRE
TO BIZ MADY-ARRpsT OF THE PERSONS AT.
TEMPTING THE FRAUDS.
There has been a suspicion for some days thai
frauds similar 10 those practised in 1868 were beID,
penetrated IN the State Courts IN TINS city in con-
nection with the natural eaton Of aliens but 50
closely did the persons perpetTatID0 them conceal
their practices that It WIS not until Wednesday last
that the authorities got upon their track. The
developments which then occurred were brought
about in an almost dental manner; but they were
Of great Importance. and have already Resulted in
the arrest OF three persons. It SAID that the cew
which has been obtained vail lead TO The arrest Of
many persons who have been ye.y employed for
several months IN furnishing professional witnesses
ir lie naturalization Of aliens. many of whom
have been in the country only a few months The
procurer of these bogus Witnesses who l. under
arrest, an ardent Democrat but 10 IS now consd.
cred doubtful whether lie VIII cast bis vote at the
man called on Chief Supervisor Davenport.
iuesoay, at bis office III the Posi- Oiice Building
and informed him that on tnai morning Christian
LiebeIs, the keeper OF "A lager beer shop AZ No 81
We.t-st., nad asked In II II ne knew OF any persons
VINO foT a consideration wound act as witnesses Tor
some men whom he desired 70 have uatufaliZed.
Aiter thorough inquiry Mir. Davenport requesl ed
lis visitor 40 see the matter thfJngh, ana 20 us
cover # possible " hat Liebers's plans were. Wee.
other talk with Liebers, al which he
agreed TO Go, what he could to for.
ward these plans, and It was arranged
that thoy should meet again az | O'Clock. Az tAat
time Lsbefs appeared with Two men VINO were aD-
picantS Tor naturalization. and 1t was arranged tnat
they should DC maze CITIZENS, ahd that "a IT Wit
nesses should receive 81 each for committing the
necessary PERJURY as TO the time the en-.
d,da.e, had been in the country one
James Joans %e" of 10 1877 wash1gon-st. an
freshman, employed al the docks ne second
mans conscience smote HIM az the last moment aud
he declined TO b. made citizen illegally conse-
queutiy he left the Others. VINO with man named
lnomas Selss, had by this time reached a
liquor store in ChambeTssi. In this place
they discussed tire story which was to
be told 10 Court. SeIss wa, introduced TO john
son aud ia him or the ii 81 time IN ms hte. lilo
ms ructed as 10 hs age aud the year he wa,
supposed 10 nave arrived ~ this country the daie
being placed far enough back 10 make Johnsous
naruralZa. ION as "A mluor possible.
From the liquor store the men went in a body 10
the office of the Clerk of the Superior c. urt. and
after ward to he court where the certificate Oi uatu-
raIlzarlon, duly signed aud sealed, was eian'ed
for many yeas. and that the applicant came 10
this country before he was eighteen years
of age. After the business bad been
compe Johnson received his certificate and Selss
was paid 80 for services. Llebers before eagi z
Mr. DayenpOrrs informant, made AN arrangement
with hun To meet again tins morning. zen ne SAID
he wOuid have fogr more men To - natuTaliZe'
Mr. Davenport. however thought tat he nad sufli-
cienU dence TO convict all the persons concerned,
proposed rascatIes. He CAUSED warrants to %
issued for the arrest of Llebers Sess and johnson,
and they were executed YESTERDAY afternoon. 1he
informant accompanied the officers to .Liebei's
liquor store and entering the place " .tnout
announcing VINO his companions We're,
told LIrbers that the authorities were after
him. Liebers showed consider bic nervousness, and
still supposIn9 that the informant Was MS TREND,
urged hn get Sess. the wItness, out OF the way.
AT this moment the officers approached and arrested
LIeberS.
>eiss and johnson had both been arrested short
time before. Seiss taken before Commissioner
Davenport, and charged with perjury IN
connection with Johnsou's naturalization. He had
nOihIug to say reply to tue charge, and, waving
examination, held for the action IF the Grand
Jury in 5000 bail. James johnson "hen arrested.
freely admitted that he had met SelsS for the first
time the day on winch ne .ated under Oath that
he had known him for several years. He
was afraigued before United States Comm iOner
deuel.. ana was Led for the action OF tue Grand
Jury iu -. 600 Lebers taken before Commis-
slOner ID We port. Wnen iiiOr ned OF the cnarge
against him he sand that he had lived IN the CIV
mum DER of years. and that he had never done any
hing wrong m as life. He sad IA o. WIS free
holder and that he could furnish any amount of
bail. He demanded aneXamInatIOn, and was conn
united TO the custody OF the Marshal detault OK
$4,000 bail, pending an examination at L o'clock
tO-Aay.