New-York tribune., 1882-04-09
BLACKMAILING MR. ADAMS.
ONE Or TIE RASCALS JAIL.
COMMENT IN BOSTON on THE ACTION OF HE
BIAcKMAIfERs-TwO OF THEM YET AT LAEGt-


COMMENT IN BOSTON on THE ACTION OF THE
BIAcKNArLERs-Two OF THEM YET AT LARGE
MIR. ADAMS HEREAFTER TO BIZ GUARDED.
BosToS Anril S-The only development to-day
in the attempt TO swindle Charles Francis Adams
was the finding of Indictment against fitz-
gerald i'm which he is charged with being an acceS-
sory both before and after the fact, 10 tne COLI
spiracv TO defraud Mr.. Adams of checks amounting
II value to SIS 300 The means spccihed III .ne III,
dctment are - cards, fraud and other devices. Ad-
dtiono1 bail To the amount of 25 900 was required
OH the indictment, and the prisoner was commtteu
in default He was ordered to be ready 1or tria Oh
Thursday. Similar indictments were also io'ii'u
against Norton and other. neither OF whom mas
been captured 1t is thought that the fugl'ves arc
in New-York and a rumor is in circulation to-
night that the police officers of that city have mace
an arrest in connection with the case. Norton was
traced last night to Providence, and it is now
Thought that he went to New-fOrk by the Shore
Line.
There is much comment here in regard 10 what
advantage the hlackmailcrs expected to gam by
placing the check in the hands of another person
for collection Some believe that the blackmailers
did not think they could get the money wltnon' inc
knowledge of Nir. Adamss family, and that they
sought to conceal the transaction from other per
sons. This belief is confirmed by the action OF 'he
blockmoilers and their statement that similar cases
had been settled without publicity If one oi theln
had presented the check at the bank payment would
probably have been refused and the affair would
then have become public before the members
of the family had time to suppress it, Mr.. Adams is
vet ignorant of the fact that the matter has become
generally known. The newspapers have been kept
from him every day. Hereafter Mr.. Adams VIII be
guarded by competent persons, but without his
knowledge
The course the Adams family have taken IN cans
ing the arrest of the men who attempted to swndle
Mr. Adams is generally considered to he wise and
plucly one The journal says the action OF Mr..
Adams's SONS Is sacrifice OF personal pride Tor
the public good" and adds:
Judging from the statements Of the principal conspi"a
their business has been thriving ana succcssu ana
wealthy relatives have been ready enough to pay huSh
money or backrnail to avoid disclosure They did not
for a moment think that Mr.. Adans's relatives would
permit the matter to become public Twenty thousand
dollars they to have considered a moderate
price for such reputation as lnat U 1iI; ;
the least from the disclosure, and his sons are
wise in recognizing the fact. The weight Of years Is
nfrmcs of age 50 that he retains if any the feebest
recollection OF The plot Of which lie was the victim Per
have set may lead other families who have paid
money rather than suffer what they regarded as loss o
prestige, To make disclosures Whch VIII DC te eas oI
unearthing other crimes.
The Post says:
The bold rascas who entrapped aged and feeble
man by what is known as the bancO game ana thcn
reckoed upon the desire OF hs family TO AVOID publicity
10 protect them after making shameless ayOwal
of her crimes fortunately for the public did not under
stand all the grades OF moral courage in society. and
oVerreachcd themselves by 0vercOnhdence in the
tidy OF human nature. There but one fact revealed
by TINS raid upon the bank account OF Mr.. Adams that
the public has any reason 20 regret, and that Is
that advancing years have had their effect
upon the formerly brilliant and wel-pOscd
intellect OF this distinguished gentleman. Those VINO
laid their plans entrap him apparently unders God
that fact only veil Ten years ago they would
have hardly had the temerty to attempt such an at-
dacious operation. The family Of Mr. Adams deserve
the thanks OF society generally for the open, honorable
and determined course they have taken. They have
adopted the only means by which they can protect
crs gans the plots and tricks from which they have
suffered. There is rot motive circumstance re-
realed by the whole story which they need shrk rom
making public