The San Francisco call., 1896-02-25
The Case Will Now Come Up
Before the United States
Commissioner.
THE WILLIAMS INVESTIGATION
Only Two Witnesses Examined and
Their Evidence Was Not Strong
Against the Accused.

The belief is general about the Federal
building that the charges of bribery against
Customs Inspector Martin Cleary will not
be prosecuted before the United States
Grand Jury, but will be referred back to
United States Commissioner Heacock for
examination.
This is one of the several cases growing
ont of the Custom-house scandal and
which have been prominently before the
public of late. Cleary was arrested on
complaint sworn out by Special Agent
Moore of the Treasury Department. The
allegation was to the effect that Cleary
had received S100 for his services in the
unlawful landing of Chinese girl. I'M
mediately the friends of the accused raj
lied to his support, as the arrest was con-
sidered side issue to the fight that has
been going on for some time between Col
lector Of the Port Wise and Special Agent
Moore.
The followers of the Collector held that
the charges were trumped up against the
Inspector by the Special Agent because of
the latter's weIl-known antipathy toward
the former. The case came up before the
United States Commissioner, and at the
request of the United States District At
torney was discontinued, since he had
decided to bring the matter before the
United States Grand Jury for investiga-
tion. This action was taken over the pro-
test of w. W. Foote, the eminent attorney
and brother to the District Attorney. The
latter feared that if the Grand Jury failed
to indict Cleary he would be held respon-
sible and collusion with his distinguished
brother might be limited at, and he trans
ferred the responsibility of the prosecu-
ton on the shoulders of Assistant District
Attorney Knight. Now, it is well-estab-
lished fact that Mr.. knight does not look
after the criminal end of the District At
torney's Office. His duties are In the line
of civil investigation. Therefore his selec-
ton as the prosecutor in this particular
case came somewhat as a surprise to the
knowing ones.
Knight found that the special agent had
made poor representation before the
Grand Jury on Saturday, and in order to
keep his skirts clear he concluded that an
open trial before the Commissioner was
the proper caper, and accordingly be
recommended that course. 1t is now
stated that the case will come up before
Commissioner Heacock on Thursday.
The investigation into the conduct of
Customs Interpreter Williams was contin-
ued before Collector of Customs Wise yes
terday. It was very tame proceeding, as
only a few witnesses were examined, and
they had forgotten about all they ever
knew. Their evidence was all hearsay.
They had been told that Williams had re-
ceived bribes, but did not know of it of
their own knowledge.
Collector Wise still believes in the inno-
cence of Williams. He will stand by the
inspector until more substantial and con-
vincing evidence has been advanced. Sew
eral of the witnesses furnished by the
special agent have virtually been in favor
of Williams, but whether or not the ac-
cused will be ultimately able to clear him
self is a question that the future alone can
determine.