New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-10
4 SHORT CAREER as AN oFfICE-HOLDER
WHY A FORMER DEPUTY lcoLLECToB is NOW A
FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE.

FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE.
The methods of Democratic ward politicians when
carried into the Government service under Demo
cratic administrations naturally do not reflect credt
upon either the incumbens of the offices or the SER
vice Not always however are these methods and their
results brought to such public attention as has hap
pened in the Of Patrick NJ. Mitchell, who was 10
Gently removed" from his position of Deputy Col
lector of internal Revenue in this city. Mitchell,
who is now fugitive from justice, is goodloohng
young Irishman, whose political work In the AllIth
Assembly District effective that he was re-
waried with deputy collectorship by Collector
Ciegerich. The Collector himself was appointed by
President Cleveland and still holds the Office, al
though there have been rumors from time to time
that his successor would be appointed.
Mitchell Is bright and shrewd and evidently started
out in his career an ohice-hOlder with the char
acteriscally Democratic intention of getting out OF
his Office all that there in it for him within the
briefest possible space of time. Within two weeks Of
his appointment however, his removal was necessary
in order TO prevent scandal at the time. The affair
has been kept from public knowledge for several
weeks but has finally leaked out tho result OF the
Issuance of warrant for Mltcbels arrest at the IN
stance of United states DistrlctAttorncy Walker.
MITCHELL however, has fed.
Mitchell was appointed on May IT last, and on the
same day began his duties searching for evaders OF
the revenue tax. Anthony sykora, who keeps a
surprised one day when Mitchell called upon him and
declared that his Federal license had expired and
that therefore he had violated the law by continuing
10 sell liquor. Sykora was much frightened by the
manner of the deputy, and protested his sorrow at
having unintentionally violated tho law. lie toll
Mitchell that he didn't TO get into trouble and
would pay his license then and there. The tax
amounted TO S27, but Sykora wrote check for $i7,
which he handed 10 Mitchell, saying he did so;
hope you won't say anything about that little mater'
Mitchell took the check and went away.
According 10 SykOra's story, he came to the con-
cluslon after Mitchell had gone that he had been
swlndled by some one not connected with the Col
ector's Office and he made haste 10 stop payment on
the check and 10 report the facts 10 Collector
Giegerich. Mitchell endeavored TO have the check
cashed and was detected. Collector Gicgcrch sent
for MITCHELL who at first denied and then confessed
MS guilt Mitchell was then removed. After several
days Collector Giegerich took sykora before District
Attorney Walker and made a complaint. warrant
for Mitchell's arrest was placed in the hands of
Deputy United States Marshal Jeirys, but Mitchell
had by that time placed himself beyond tho officers
reach.
Judge Foster, as counsel for Mitchell, made
an attempt TO compromise the affair with the Wash
ngton officials that Mitchell might return without
fear Of arrest, but he promptly informed that
such offence could not be compromised Mltchclls
story 70 the counsel was that lie intended % do
wrong. lie had taken the check from sykora with
out realizing that the HduOrdeaer Intended a. bribe
him. and when he discovered that his acceptance ~
more than the amount due was unlawful he went
back 20 sykOra and repnmandcd him for attempting
was after he had failed In his effort to have the check
cashed.