The Helena independent., 1889-04-13
HUGE STEALS.
Indictments Found Against Herbert
Beecher and Other Western Fed
eral 0iiicials.
Private individuals and the Govern.
ment Alleged to Have Been
Swindled.
Money Found secreted I'm Various strange
Places-Refasal OF the Accused 10
Make Any Statement

PORTLAND, April I2.-The oregonIan's
Port Townsend, W. T., special says: The
United States grand jury has found twenty
hye indictments against VIM. Harmed, ex-
deputy collector, eleven against Herbert II.
Beecher, ex-treasury agent, and twelve
against Quincy o. Brooks, for stealing
from the government The records and
accounts have been thoroughly overhauled
and presented to the grand jury, the first
time by government officials, especially
sent from Washington by the treasury de-
partment, In January, TO make an inyesti-
CATION OF the many charges preferred by
the press and public. The records were
examined Tor year back. The
nrst thing found was that vessels
had been overcharged for entrance
and clearance, land private receipts
issued. The government receipts came
OF out what is known rs the "Blue book
and many leaves Of this were destroyed,
and private receipts issued instead. By
this method vessels were swindled out OF
small amounts each, which aggregated
many thousand dollars per year. In other
places II was found vessels were charged
IN some Instances hundreds of dollars more
than credited. Two thousand government
receipts were found IN mutilated condi-
ton concealed In various parts OF the Of
hces. The largest steal discovered was
In duties paid on the cargo of the British
bark Madeira, from Liverpool, last June;
s6,OSs was paid, OF which the government
received S5,0ii, The records Indicated no
money was paid during the month, but
one OF the conslgnees claimed 10 have paid
Harmed. Harmed acknowledged appropri-
ating the money and took bag containing
70. Arft n.ll
good the account The clerk at Seattle
holds a receipt for 81 $50 and only s373 Is
credited 10 the government for the entire
MONTH After Harmed was dismissed over
sl2,OOO was found In various parts OF the
Office, secreted under carpets, In flower
pots, pigeon holes and other places. The
records OF daily receipts during the latter
part OF BuchsI's term are also
up % the time OF Harned's dismissal
last November are gone, making 1t impos-
sible 10 accurately determine the amount
OF the deficit. Brooks Is short $4,000 In
addition 10 illegal fees collected, amount
Ing 10 another $4,000. All three are spe-
ciically charged with removing public rec
ords and falsifyiDg accounts. There are
63s opium stamps missing, valued at S5
eacn, besides large number OF Chinese
return certificates, which have been miss
Ing since the passage OF the exclusion net.
Harmed and Beecher will be arrested to-
morrow. They refuse to talk. Brooks Is
In Washington. Harmed Ia worth $4,000
aud has many warm personal friends on
Puget Sound.
Herbert Beecher and VIM. Harmed. the
Indicted customs officials, gave bonds to-day
in $1,000. The trial Is set for October.
Three OF Beecher's bondsmen are on the
grand jury which Indicted him. Harmed re-
ceived number of sympathizing messages
to-day from all over the coast, asserting
confidence In his innocence. The accused
refused to make any statements. The best
legal talent In the territory has been pro-
cured for the drfense