The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-20
CUSTOMS OFFICIALS TO GO FREE.
Jim Lotan and Mulkey Proving Nat
Blum . Bad Man.


Blum . Bad Man.
PORTLAND. Dec. 1a-ISpecial. THE pros
poets of the defendants in the trial for
conspiring to smuggie IN Chinese iaborers
look brighter today than ever. 1t is inn
probable that any Of them will be con-
victed. Dunbar's testimony shows Blum to
he an unmitigated liar and scoundrel,
and shows that he forged Dunbar's name
on three checks, secured the money
at the bank and kept il. Mulkey
explains his intercourse with Blum by
saving that Blum was furnishing him in
formation In regard to parties smuggling
OPIUM in order to secure a percentage on
the proceeds of captured opium. He
denies that he wrote any of the fic-
titous and anonymous letters Blum
claimed he received from him. Holman and
Bannon, notaries charged with making
false certificates, and tho Chinese are yet
to make defense. The court II endeavor-
ing to forward the trial to q conclusion,
and the prosecuting attorneys waste no
time in cross-questioning witnesses, evi-
IDENTIFY having lost confidence IN Blum's
story. If the defeniants ara acquitted in
this case it is not likely that the others
will come to trial.
Mulkey said his duties as agent of the
treasury department were to examine the
books of the custom houses. and in the en-
iorcement of the navigation and Chinese
exclusion laws, detect smuggling. etc.
His district included Oregon, Wash
ington and Alaska. He had occasion
to travel good deal. going where
ever his business called him. He
first met Blum on a street near wharf
where the Haytian Republic was lying
and rcde with him in a carriage to the
Reception saloon, where Blum ordered q
bottle of wine, which they drank. He was
only ten or fifteen minutes there. Blum
did not say he had been bothering them
in the opium aud Chinese business. nor
did he ask Blum to come to his room.
Blum came to his room on the following
day, but no such conversation took place
between them as Blum stated. Blum
came there ostensibly to give him informa-
ton in regard TO parties smuggling opium,
| so that he might secure a moiety or per-
! centagc of the gross receipts of the
| sale of the captured opium allowed 10
| iniormers. That is what they talked
| about His information and suspicious
| related mostly TO the sound and San Fran
1 cisco. Blum was TO furnish information,
| and Mulkey was to name him as informer.
| Nothing Was said about wanting money
/ in advance Blum said two officers MulKey
/ had on the steamer were drunk while do
| ing their work, which Mulkey said could
| not bs so, as they were reliable men.
Malkev made no appointment with him
for next day. blum did not pay me 500
| in currency. or any other sum-" said Nul.
| kew. "He never paid me any money al
any time" Mr.. Mulkey then explained
how he happened TO meet Blum on the
cars going 10 Tacoma. 1t was his practice
! to run out on trains leaving Tacoma tc
examine baggage for smuggied opium
| lie had made a number Of seizures thai
way. On this occasion he got off at Che
halls and boarded train for Tacoma. He
saw Blum, spoke 20 him, and was intro
dnced BY him to several persons he va,
not acquainted with. He thought he wen
out of The smoking room into another cai
with Blum and talked TO him. They had M
conversation about money. If Bun
put any money in MuIkey's overeoa
pocket he took IL out again, for Make,
never saw is. Blum never said anythini
about an arrangement for bringing ii
opium or Chinese, lie said he vas goin,
30 get off at Edison 10 attend 10 som,
business and would come into Tacoma b,
z the afaosrsr roai uext a av