The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-08
Die DEEPER, YOU
Crust Barely Broken in
Whisky Frauds.
Who are the Men They Say ore More
Guilty Than Those ConviC-
ted? Come, Speak
Out.
Especial to News and Observer.)


Greensboro, n. c., May THE trial
of the cases in the United States court
at this place for the last ten days, re-
sulting in the conviction of w. b.
Sprinkle, T. M. Angle and William
Young, charged with carrying on the
business of rectifiers with intent to de-
fraud the government of the tax upon
the spirits rectifed by them, and with
refusing stamps, making false entries
removing and concealing, ETC., has at
tracted attention far and near, and, as
stated by the judge in his charge, has
drawn to Greensboro rectifiers and
their agents from all over this dis
trict.
The prosecution was undoubtedly
the most earnest, vigorous and intelli-
gent one eyer conducted in liquor
court in this State; and United States
Attorney Holton deserves all that can
be said OF him, for the absolutely fear
less and conscientious manner in
which he has discharged his duty from
the beginning to the close of these
trials. This district is indeed to be
congratulated upon having a man
who, under the strongest kind of
political pressure, never for one mo-
ment lost sight of his duty to the gov
eminent, and had in view only one
thing and that was that the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the
truth should be brought out. Believing
him to be the man that | have above
described him to be / am not a little
interested to see what further steps
vii be taken in connection with this
matter.
The question naturally arises,
What more is there to be done?"
We'll, 1 will say if there is anything
in the statements of prominent men
Interested in these trials, the public
may look for startling disclosures.
Things that have been done in a cor
ner, are, about to be proclaimed from
the house tops.
The judge in sentencing the above
named convicts, stated that there were
others engaged in this business. The
United States Attorney has said as
much; Mr.. Mott in his able speech for
the defense, said, turning to the Uni
ted States Attorney: THE prima facie
evidence justified you in prosecuting
some one else than these defendants.
You cannot fail to know that the reve-
nue. officers detected these frauds long
ago. You know what / mean. This
does not excuse these defendants, but
| do argue that if Mr.. Holton is hon
est, and he knows these Times, others
should be prosecuted. You know the
nerve it requires 1t takes little cotir-
age TO proceed against some Ot1cerS.
Yet say the evidence is stronger
against others than against these
men,"
Now, after sentence had been pro-
nounced, one of the men convicted,
am void, stated that if he had to
go to the pen he would let the world
know that there were prominent men
implicated in these frauds.
1t is also stated here that very
prominent government official, who
has for some time known of this in
famous conspiracy, threatened to let
the cat out of the bag, if the opposi-
ton to his re-appointment should
prove so serious as to result in his fall
ure to get his office for another term.
The conviction of these men, with
the penalties, which are generally con-
sidered very light, considering the fact
that they were convicted of nearly
every crime known to the revenue
laws, has barely broken the crust.
If the gentleman above referred to,
who appears to know so much, Will
exercise fortitude, as suggested by Mr.
Mott (who by the way might take
little of his own physic. and give the
names of those to whom he referred)
and come out openly and honestly,
then we might see a reformation in
this district that would be extremely
gratifying to some of us.
b. Is. BOLDIN.