New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-25
A BIG CUSTOMS SEIZURE.
REVENUE OFFICERS CONFIsCArE SILKS
VALUED AT $4,000.

FIRST CABIN PASSENGERS ON THE STEAMSHIP
SPREE ATTEMPT TO ELUpE THE PAYMENT
OF DuTY-AN ALLEGED BRIDE OFFERED
Chief Inspectors Donohue and Brown. who are
on duty on the North German Lloyd piers. in
Hoboken, on Thursday afternoon seized guam
tity OF silks. laces and wearing apparel valued
at over $4,000 which had been brought over
by MIR. and Mrs. Jacob Pelziger frst-cabin pas
sengers on the Spree. The goods were con-
fscated as having been smuggled. despite the
protests OF Pelziger. who, when confronted with
the fact that he had falsely declared that he had
no dutiable effects In his baggage offered to
pay the duty, and begged hard to be saved the
exposure attendant upon a seizure.
For some reason. the facts in the case were
kept quiet by the Customs officers and 1t was
not until yesterday that the story leaked out
Chief Donohue for several weeks has been
taking extra precautions against smuggling
Only few days ago he compelled a dozen or
more frst-cabin passengers to submit to a per-
sonal search on suspicion that they had snug
gled diamonds or jewelry in their possession
A number Of seizures were made but the result
on the whole seemed disappointing to the In
spector. who, apparently. had secured a tip
that some valuable invoices were to be quietly
landed
When the Spree reached her berth the In
spector and his men were on hand, as usual. to
scan the passengers and examine their effects
Among those to disembark were Mr.. and Mrs
Pelziger and their daughters. Elsie and Rose
The family are said to belong in Milwaukee,
They had, among their other personal effects,
ten wicker baskets and a large trunk, upon
which Chief DOnohue told Of his men to
keep a sharp eye.
While the baggage examinations were going on
Pelziger approached one Of the inspectors and
asked him 10 look over the family baggage and
20. X" it, as he was in hurry to leave the pier.
Donohue told the inspector to go ahead, and
watched him as Pelziger walked with him TO
where the baskets and trunk lay. The chief saw
Pelziger make some remark to the subordinate
in a confidential manner. The latter flushed. as
II with anger, and at once beckoned to Donohue
When the latter came up he was told that Pei
Tiger had offered the inspector bride OF 500 TO
pass the baggage.
The chief at once ordered PelZiger to open the
baskets. The passenger endeavored 10 smooth
the matter over but was forced to submit 70 hav-
ing his baggage searched. When everything had
been turned out large quantities or silken fab-
rics hangngs, draperies. underwear, comforta-
bles and similar articles. all OF the finest texture
and make were carted off to the SeiZure-room.
Pelzigcr seemed to be overcome by the outcome
of his effort to defraud the Government. and
while the goods were being appraised he begged
Chief Donohue 10 allow him TO pay the duty ana
take the fabrics Donohue refused to listen TO
him. and the crestfallen passenger LETT the pier
with his wife and daughters.
The confscated goods were yesterday sent TO
the Nev-York Custom House. to be sold later on
under the regulations.