The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-03
COL BURT'S LIBEL SUIT.
UIEREsTLNG DEPoSITTON BIZ ASsIs-
IlNT SECRETARY MAYNARD.

IlNT 8fCRETIRY MAINAhN
Ne p.xr that Col. Burt Told Tiua that the
Mavsneysrs wouId Not support Cleve-
land In 1855 Unless some Change YVES
Made in the Ezau,iners OF Sugars.
BogroN. MAY New York politics were
aired IN tho Burt Advertiser libel suit to-day.
At one time II looked as though the inside
nntters pertaining to the New YORK custom
House were to be shown up. butJudRe Dunbar
held the contestants down TO the facts In the
ease, and but little Of the story with which the
defence IL cooked and primed was tod out
that little was interesting. 1t came In the form
Of q deposition OF Assistant Secretary OF the
Treasury Maynard as to an interview on politi-
cal matters which took place In Washington.
His reply to an interroRatory contained the
following interesting statement:
"Mr. Burt said that they wanted to have Dr.
Ieary sent back to Boston, and some one put
IN charge OF the examination OF sugars at New
York whose action would be moro satisfactory
told him that did not think the Secretary OF
the Treasury could be induced to take any
such action. that L knew how the Secretary
felt upon the subject from conversations which
had had with him about It: that he felt that
Dr. Leary had not been fairly treated at New
York, and that every effort had been made to
embsrrass him, and. II possible. to disoredit
his capacity or ability as an examiner, and that
the Secretary felt that 1t would be demoraliz"
ing to the Administration OF the service to yield
10 the demand under tho circumstances
Mr.. Burt then said that he had really come
over IN the interest OF Mr.. Cleveland's Admin
istration: that he and his clients had supported
Mr.. Cleveland IN 1884, and they would like to
do II again in 1888; that the Messrs. 'have-
meyer had great political influence; that they
had some 5000 votes In New York and Mioht-
gan, which they controlled; that they would
not be able to support Mr.. Cleveland In 1883
unless there was some change in 1.-The examin-
ers OF sugar at the port OF New YORK. ana
think that he said that the classification that
was being made at New York by DR.. Leary
made difference OF some $500 day to his
clients or to the sugar importers. told him
did not SEQ how the Secretary Of the Treas
ury could properly take such matters into con-
alteration. or that he could take any action In
the line suggested by him. unless 1t was
clearly made 10 appear that DR.. Leary was In
competent. or was making an erroneous or un-
lust classification OF sugars. OF which there
was no evidence before the department: that
II his classification was illegal or erroneous, no
injustice could result In the long run to the
importers They had their remedy by protest
and appeal to the department and ~ the 40
ton OF the appraisers was sustained ~ the de-
gartmen, By an scon in the courts sat at law M
to do. and no was sent to see II the matter
could not be satisfactorily arranged by the I'M
not arranged they would not feel like giving
the mnistration their support in the coming
Mr. Burt was then put upon the stand. and
denied that he had mentioned Mr. Cleyelsnd's
name or the name OF Havemeyer d Elder ct
lion. He declared that he was not aware that
he had any facilities in The Appraisers room ON
ri other m0TChant,
clerk. or even messenger. He had no desk
there Of his own: He, had not known Of any
New York Custom House, had never himself
requested any such undervaiuation. had
sion 'e or ICONS conspiraey there looking to such I'M
dervsluation, and had never offered money or
any other bribe to anybody in that matter.
duction OF testimony bearing on the polari-
scope was an unpleasant surprise for the de-
10 support their claims OF alleged fraud: Prof.
Andrews.who was on the staud at the adjourn
meat OF the court YESTERDAY; continued his
maticn about testing quartz plates and po-
lSriscopes before the Court ruled out his cyl
eo comm er WITH The poaPiseope IN testi
S SP9 bsr Rs did not RSs
used ct e Boston ,Ss Hu sed s%
Custom Houses quite extensively. he believed.
On account OF the variations OF the plate which
ne had received from DR.. Leary. he had advised
that It be withdrawn from use In the Custom
House, and Special Agent jewell had informed
him that 1t had been Withdrawn. Prof. An
dreWg said that the Leary Quartz plate was
about as good as the average. but 1t was not as
good a. he would desire to use
DR.. Edward A. Sbeerer OF New York testified
ct length "a to the manner OF making exami:
nations In the New York Custom House, and
Indignantly denied that there had ever been
any understanding agreement, colluaion or
conspiracy between himself and Mr.. Burt or
any other person to make any error or commit
ny fraud In the classification OF sugars in New
pTk.
Ex-Appraiser McMullen Of Brooklyn also de-
I'd the existence Of any understanding be-
II een Mr. Burt and the Government officials.
al ] Robert + Bovine. Supervising Examiner
OF The Sugar Bureau In the Appraisers depart
mont at New York. offered similar testimony.
The hearing came to q sudden end on ac-
count OF the exclusion OF testimony about the
polariscope and the closing arguments In the |
case were postponed until Monday