New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-27
MACHEN FOUND GUILTY.
POSTAL FRAUDS PROVED.
The Grofs and Lorens Also Con-
Uicted-4 Government Victory.
rFRox THE TRIBUNE BUREAU


Washington, Feb. 26.-August W. Machen.. the
man on whom. as long ago August l. The
Tribune conferred the title OF prince Of Graft
ers" and who was the chief conspirator in the
gigantic frauds which last summer were found
10 have permeated the Postofice Department.
has been convicted Of having violated Section
$40 Of the United States Statutes. and VIII
probably soon be sentenced TO a term in the peni-
tentiary. With Machen have been convicted
his co-conspirators. Dilier b. Croft. Samuel A.
Gron and George r Lorenz. the first two the
manufacturers Of the Croft fastener. the other
the ''go- between" through whom the illegal COM
missions which the Grons paid TO Maehen
passed. There are thirteen more Indictments
against Machen. several OF which he is al
most certain TO be tried. Martha J. Lorenz was
discharged at the suggestion Of the prosecution.
there not being sufficient evidence 10 convict
her
While Mschen and HIS pals" have been
found guilty on every count OF the Indictment.
they convicted. I'm this instance OF OILY one
crime. ana the penalty prescribed by the statute
consists OF a fine Of not less than $1,000 and
not more than $1,000. and not 10 exceed two
years Imprisonment. Although this penalty
seems light. in view Of the gravity OF the Of
fence. Machen and the others having in this in
stance defrauded the government out OF APP
the government ofncials who regard the moral
effect for which they have been striving
earnestly as fully accomplished by the simple
fact that Machen and his partners in crime Will
have 60 undergo imprisonm INT This IS source
OF great satisfaction 20 all concerned I'm the
Postofice investigation and the subsequent pros
ecution. II has long been whispered that no pub
lie official could ever be convicted by Wash
ington jury for defraudlng the government.
That supposition has now been dlsproved, and
Machens experience VIII stand forcible ex-
ample 70 every official who may hereafter be
tempted to betray the trust imposed In him
OFFICIALS MUCH GRATIFIED.
The attorneys for the defence have already
given notice Of their intention to appeal for
new trial. but there Is no reason TO believe that
the plea viii avail. It is a source Of gratihca-
ton, now that conviction has been obtained. that
the defence has few exceptions on which TO base
an appeal TO a higher court. In almost every
instance all mooted questions have been decided
in favor of the defence throughout the seven
weeks trial Just ended. one ruling Of the court
I'm particular caused serious uneasiness to the
government In charging the jury, Justice
Pritchard Informed them that unless the evil
dence showed that Machen's conspiracy resulted
in an increased cost of the Croft fasteners to
the government they must find the accused
men innocent. This direct reversal OF the
charge Of the Baltimore court before which Up
ton and McGregor were tried and convicted, the
Judge I'm that instance having declared that
proof that officials had profted by the sales to
the government must be considered proof Of
guilt.
This makes the third conviction which the
government has obtained as a result of the Post
office investigation Upton and McGregor were
convicted in Baltimore and ex-RepTesentative
briggs in Brooklyn. Only one case has been
lost. that of Miller and Johns. Under the cir
cumstances the Postofice officials regard the
conviction of Beavers, Green and others under
Indictment and awaiting trial as foregone con-
clusion. This is also regarded notable evil
dence OF the thoroughness of the recent investi-
CATION and of the justice of the conclusions
drawn by Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow. Assistant Attorney General Robb and
their subordinates.
THE VERDICT ANNOUNCED.
Guilty as indicted" was the verdict an
nounced by Carl Peterson, the foreman Of the
fury shortly after o'clock tonight He said
at the same time that this was the verdict as TO
all four defendants August W. Machen late
general superintendent of the rural free delivery
division; George z. Lorenz. of Toledo. Ohio and
Samuel A. and Diller B. Croft. of this city. The
fury had been out nine hours. although the ver-
dict was reached in eight hours and twenty-five
Continued ninth page.
DAILY SERVICE TO PINEHURsT.
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