New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-15
BENSON COMES TO GRIEF

Tn cffecting the capture of Harry Benson,
the bogus Marcus Mayer who so adroitly
swindled the people of Mexico by representing
himself to be Mr.. Abbeys advance agent for
the sale of seats for series of Patti concerts,
a valuable piece of work he's been
done in the public interest. Benson is
evidently no ordinary rogue lie has re-
markablc record in which audacity figures as
the most conspicuous feature Of his knavish
schemes. There is no quality so rare among
criminals as undaunted. imperturbable nerve.
Failure is usually the result of weakness at the
critical moment. Men who have surprising
talents in the conception of fraudulent devices
often fail miserably in executing them for the
lack of force of character. Bcnsons successes
have all been achieved as result of cold reso-
luton and boldness.
His plots were always novel. He was not
born a rascal nor brought up under circum-
stances that familarizcd his mind with the
everyday methods of professional criminals
His first notable fraud was to appear in London
lust after the fall of Paris and represent him
self as an agent to collect money for the suffer-
ers from the siege. A more barefaced trick
cannot be conceived. It's very audacity was
its strong point and the fellow was not cx-
posed until he had accumulated fortune to
which the Lord Mayor himself contributed
$4,000 lie next appeared as the chief of a
regularly organized bureau for the swindling
of turf gamblers. His victims wore usually
from among the adventurous nobility, who SUD-
ported him for some years in idle afilucncc
Ills Mexican conspiracy was a fine sample of
tho simplicity and daring which invariably
characterized his procedure.
But even boldness can be carried to extremes.
Most scamps of his class know enough to keen
out of New York, where they have learned to
their cost that age does not wither the remcm-
brance Of their UNPUBLISHED crimes. Had Ben
son been sagacious enough to avoid the terri
tory about which is woven the detectives
sensitive net which seems to send vibratorv
intelligence to Police Headquarters every time
suspicious person comes to town he would
probably never have been called to account
for his raid on the musc-loving public of Mex
ico But he had lawyer here who was en-
gagged in helping to collect the proceeds Of an
earlier fraud and that fact reached the cars Of
tho police. His movements abroad were
looked after and when he was missed there an
incessant watch was kept on the lawyers Office
in this city. Sure enough, here it was that
Benson finally presented himself
The discovery and arrest Of this fellow re-
veal system Of police scrutiny which is mar
vcllous considering the difficulties that lie in
the way Of American detectives. They are
absolutely dependent on their own resources.
Their knowledge of human nature is practically
their entire capital. Every physical condition
Of Ncw-York ssto their disadvantage No
laws affecting travellers and giving the police
rights Of supervision over public carriers and
hotels exist to aid their researches. Their
facilities arc merely those with which nature
has endowed them. and that they have shown
themselves so much superior to the detective