The morning call., 1894-11-09
SERIOUS CHARGE.
Lawyer Riordan Accused
of Bribery.
IN AN OLD SMUGGLING CASE
Alleged That He SiIenced an
Important Witness.
DENIAL AND STRONG LANGUAGE.
Sensational Episode at the Trial of
an Inspector Accused by One
of Riordan's Clients.
DENIAL AND STRONG LANGUAGE.

1Homas u. RlordaB, attorney Tor the
Chinese consulate, the Chinese Six Com
panies and the Chinese Merchants Ex-
change, went to his home last night
troubled in spirit and realizing in a
vague way how man feels just after he
has toyed with gun and learned by pain
full experience that it was loaded. Mr..
Riordan went to Collector Wise's office
yesterday afternoon to be present at the
trial of Customs Inspector Richard Will
Jams, directly accused by one of Mr..
Rordan's Chinese clients and indirectly
accused bv Mr. Riordan himself of trying
TO obtaia brides from McngOlians. But
before the investigation was ended, or in
fact fairly commenced, the accusing altoT-
ney was openly aud directly charged with
bribing a witness for the Government in a
smuggling case tried two or three years
ago.
Inspector Williams is a bling-block
in the path of the attorneys and others
who are interested ID landing Chinese. He
has spent many years among the Mongol-
ians and knows their language and Gus
toms. Collector Wise has found in him an
Invaluable assistant. whose knowledge
and experience has provided him with
evidence that has enabled him to send back
many Chinese laborers and women who
came here declaring that as merchants,
merchants wives or natives they had
right to land. 1t is openly declared that
when a Chinese woman, imported for i'm
moral purpose, is landed, $1,000 Is divided
among the lawyers and others VINO nght
her battle before the Collector and IN the
courts.
Since Collector Wise employed Will
liams less han two years ago thrtY-three
CHINA.
Williams procured the evidence against
them and by so doing has earned for him.
self the undyinG hatred OF the slave
dealers and their whle assistants. They
have determined to get nm VI OF their
wav and the fruit of their labor appeared
last Saturday. Joseph Hanna then APP
ppared before the Collector and charged
Williams with attempting to obtain bride
Of $50 from 4 Chinese merchant who was
anxious to land woman then on vessel
in the harbor. He gave The merchants
name and intimated that he would sub
stantiate the charge.
A. j. Smith, a Government detective,
was sent for the merchant, and IN due
time he appeared before the Collector. He
positively denied all know edge of Will
iams or his attempt to Obtain bride, and
Hanna withdrew after aCkn0w Hedging that
he had been mistaken.
Tie next effort to di5lQdge the obnoxious
inspector was made tuesday afternoon.
Attorney Riordan then informed repre-
sentatives of the press that Williams mad
tried to obtain $500 from Fong Chin,
Chinese. The story was That FOng, who
keeps a liQuor-stOre at 129 Waverly place,
was anxious to land a woman, who was
then on the China steamer, and that
Williams went to him and offered to make
a favorable report on her case if he were
paid $500. Subsequently he reduced the
figure t. $3.50. The Chinese corrobOrated
the attorneys statements, and the charges
were repeated to Collector Wise.
The Collector summoned Williams be-
fore him and told MIN to prepare for trial
Yesterday afternoon and Attorney Riordan
was asked to be present with his wit
nesses.
AT he appointed time the accused in
spectOr with several witnesses summoned
by Tim appeared Attorney Riordan ap-
peared also, but he had no witnesses.
II understand. Mr.. Rlordan," said the
Collector, E'that you have made charges of
attem pting TO collect brlbes against Will
II have made no charges" Riordan
answered, "but one of my most reputable
clients has accused him and others have
accused him"
him?"
''He is not here he came TO my Office
this morning and | advised him not to
come"
You advised him not to come. Why
did YOU do that?'
Il did not wish TO eDdanger him. am
willing to try this matter III the court"
But YOU know it can't be tried in court.
No complaint has been made against
him."
well. | am willing to waive all objec-
tions as to relevancy and try it before
Commissioner Heacock. My Chinese will
appear then"
That is impossi bic" the Collector de-
elared 81 understand that your Chinese
saws that Mr.. Williams went to him and
asked for money to land woman"
THAT is so"
"ABd he did not offer any money, but
went to his lawyer"
Eyes, sir"
Well" remarked the Collector, with
difficulty restraining an ebullit1on Of wrath.
81 know that he Chinese lied and | have
witnesses here who will prove that money
was offered and rejected. Do you know
of your own knowledge that Williams
ever took brbe?"
81 cannot tell professional secrets. l
know everything that goes on IN China
town. [ know and The Chinese know
when Won send a man out and what that
mans report is The Chinese have a very
complete system of telegraphy. and when
one is involved the others quickly learn of
it. They all confide in me-"
f.Is il not a fact" the Collector asked,
shat Ali the disreputable Chinese are
against Mr.. Williams?
IT'S fact that all the reputable Chi
nese are against him.
"You said the other day that he was
running your business :?
"He is running the business of all the
LAWYERS. The Chinese don't want US to
fight their cases, for they say tnat IL pays
them better TO bribe him.
"When Mr. Williams WAS seeking MS
appointment did YOU not write letter
commenting him %
81 wrote letter for him at the request
of a Chinese client. | did not commend
him, for | had never seen MN, put ASKED
the examining officer to deal lenientIy Wild
him as his knowledge OF Chlnese was
rather rusty"
Have you any reason to DelieVe that
Williams has taken money!
Il decline TO answer what information
i have had come to me IN my professional
capacity, aud will not divulge 1t without
the consent of my clients, and L am salts
fed thew will not consent 10 IL"
a. j. Smith, the Government detective,
was present during the dialogue between
the Collector and the lawyer. Some al
fusion was made to Hanna's charge
against Williams and its result, and the
Collector was asked the name of the mes
senger who procured the Chinese who
showed the groundlessness of the accusa-
ton against the INSPECTOR.
at was Mr.. Smith there?
Riordan sneered and Smith flushed an
griIy.
81 think nv reputation is as good as