New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-03-11
BRACKETT AND CH1LKER INDICTED.
CHARGED WITH ACCEPTING A BRIBg-DAIL FIXED
AT $1,000 ZACH.

The United States Grand Jury presented to
Judge Benedict yesterday In the United states Circuit
Court an indictment Jointly charging Charles Bracket
and James :. Chalker formerly special agents Of the
Treasury Department. with accepting bride. The in
dIctment charges violation OF section 1901 OF the Re
yed Statutes which makes IL offence for any officer
the United States to accept any gift or pay TO affect
decision performance Of required duty The agents
arc charged with violation Of this section In accepting
900 influence thom 10 tho valuation OF goods I'm
ported by Messrs Girlwood Watson agents OF william
Ldde manufacturer OF Irish linen at Belfast, Ireland
Attention was first called to the facts on which the
charges were based by SUIT begun by Girdwood Wat
son against Richard ID. jackson lawyer ana Messrs.
Dodge and Houston members OF firm OF Custom House
brokers' to recover several thousand dollars which. it
was alleged had been given to Jacksonto secure reduc
ton OF duties on goods imported by the plaintiffs.
suit more unfortunate for all persons concerned has
seldom been begun Almost every person prominently
interested except the lawyers, has been indicted While
the suit In which they plaintiffs was being tried
Grdw Ood and Watson were arrested on civil suit for
differentiation, and later they aud Mr.. Lddell were
arrested on an indictment charging criminal undervaua
ton and pleaded guilty. Their own testimony In the
civil suit brought by them first attracted the attention OF
the prosecuting officers OF the Government Some Of the
testimony taken on the trial OF the suit OF Griwood
Watson against Messrs Jackson and Houston was
Chalker, and AN nvestigatlon was male by commission
from the Treasury Department. The result or the iu
yestigatOn the suspension ana finally tho removal
of the two agents.
The Grand Jury examined several witnesses and
finally had Mr. Bracket himself before Them The In
dctuent finally found and II Is said that indlct
ments also found against Richard ID.
Jackson, tho lawyer and Samuel Houston. the
it is alleged that the agents received. Bail
was fixed at $1,000 each the indictment against
Messrs. Bracket and Chalker. Bench warrants
not issued, but both OF the exofcias promised to give
bail day. The penalty for the offence Is Imprisonment
for than three fine or not more than
three times the amount taken.
Mr.. Chaker was In the Federal Building yesterday
afternoon. He had one bondsman, but did not complete
his bond. lie said :" have been ut my home aud |
told was to be made against III there ia indict
ment against know that u Is not for anything that
have really done. No one who knows me Will believe
that am thief"
Captain Bracket found at his house, No. "a West
Northumberland twenty fifth ST. last night by reporter
of THE TRIBUNE to whom he said Will ~ into court
with my counsel aud demand speedy trial can be
obtained III am guilty should be convicted, and IL
am innocent should be acquitted Things have reached
me have been In the service OF the Government for
twenty seven years have been held responsible for
the acts Of my subordnates trial will prove the ex-
tent OF my responsibility, hope. public Official Is
paid suppose to be maligned and traduced. but there
must limit to this OF thing. The indictment
against found on the testimony OF member OF
firm that has already been convicted Of breaking the
law. They chagrneG and perhaps take this mode
OF getting satisfaction. Their goods held longer
than they thought necessary aud this fact Is brought for
ward evidence that influenced In the matter.
nocent and feel certain that my Innocence viii be
nrnyeio