The Florence tribune., 1901-08-31
TROUBLE IN NoGALEs.
The Collector of Customs and Chinese
 Inspector Under Arrest.
LAssociated Press Report.l

lAssociateu FresS hepOft.l
 WASHINGTON, Aug 24-The treasury officials have unearthed what they al- lege is widespread conspiracy in No gales, Ariz., to admit Chinese to the United States. Thus far warrants have been issued for the arrest of the | collector at Nogales, William A. Hoey, l and Deputy Chinese Inspector E. F. Jossey, Frank Ho, Chinaman living | at Nogales, and another Chinaman who lives at Clifton, Mex, just across the border from Nogales.
 It is stated that with two or three exceptions the whole customs and inn migration departments at Nogales are involved. Some time ago an official of the Treasury Department, having No gales as his headquarters, wrote the department that he had reason to be- lieve the official force at that point was corrupt, and that Chinese in large numbers were being smuggled across the border for consideration. A se- cret operative was sent there at once, and plans laid to secure evidence against the persons under suspicion. Several Chinamen were furnished with money aud sent on to buy their way through the official cordon. This was accomplished without difficulty, the
  price demanded being from $50 to $2O0. The secret service men also arranged with one or two employees, whose hon esty had been tested, to go into the col lector's officeat certain time and de- mand share of the money being re- ceived from Chinamen and to be admit ted into the combination, so they might get share of the proceeds of future deals. ltwas reluctantly agreed to, and considerable sums of money were hand ed over in the presence and full hearing of 2 secret-service mun, who had pre- : viously secreted himself in d near.b by office closet.
 7 The officials soon found that China men who presented a certificate marked with the letter IA" were al- lowed to proceed without question, while those having certificates that did not bear this mark were turned back without ceremony. Later on i, was developed that the letter "A'' on : a ticket indicated that the amount de : Enanded had been paid. Several China men were sent through with the re- quisite "A" marked on their certif- cates, made by one of the secret-servi., men. The utmost care and secrecy : was maintained from the first to St. cure positive proof against each mar
 under suspicion.
 A special United States attorney wa, detailed to prosecute the men impli-
 cated. When Hoey received his appoint
 ment he came to Washington to re-
 ceive instructions as to his duties, auc
 at that time Secretary Gage took oc- 
 i, easion to talk with him on the subjec
 of the duty of officials. He was eau :, toned to avoid every temptation |
 wrong doing, and that to certail limited extent the honor of the govern
 nent was placed in his hands. Secre
 tary Gage explained that his prede- !, eessor at Nogales had been displaced
 because of certain alleged violation
 of the civil service laws and regula. tions, and warned hitn that his ad.
 ininistra.ion of the office must be d
 all times clean and above suspicion fo
 his own honor and that of the country
 The number of Chinamen who hay,
 bought their way into the United
 States through the alleged connivanc d of the Nogales officials is not known f but it is believed to be large. A spe . cial agent has been ordered to No 6 gales to take charge of the office if h If finds it necessary.