New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-21
EX-GOV. ROLLINS PAYS
FINE AS SMUGGLER
Penalty of $4,000 Imposed
After Plea of Guilty, Follow
ing Indictment.
AFFAIRS TOTAL COST, $4,000
Charges Against Wife and Son
Dismissed After Payment
of Duty and Full Foreign
Value of Goods.
The procession following ii

Ex-Governor Frank West Rollins of
New Hampshire pleaded guilty late
yesterday before Judge Hand, in the
United States Circuit Court, to having
imported merchandise into this country
contrary to law, and was fined $1,000
Before this he had paid at the Custom
House about $500, representing the
foreign value of the 147 articles found
in the nine trunks brought over on the
steamship Lusitania on May 13, and
duties of about 81, 800
As he would have had TO pay the duty
if he had declared the goods bought
abroad. 81 800. the Ex-Governor was out
of pocket $1,000 for failing to accept the
invitation of the Acting Deputy Surveyor
to amend the papers when the omission
Of the articles was first discovered by
customs inspector.
The grand jury entered the courtroom
shortly before 3 o'clock and handed up
an indictment against Mr. Rollins. It
was ten minutes later when the accused
man and his counsel, Alfred A Wheat,
appeared. Henry A. Wise, the United
States Attorney, had had a conference
with the court, and after Mr.. Rollins
back. and Mr.. Wheat made the plea of
guilty for his client.
Called Victim of Circunstanc noes.
Addressing the court, the counsel said
that Mr. Rollins had always had high
reputation in New England for integrity,
and that he was now a victim of an I'M
fortunate chain of circumstances rather
than a violator of the law. Mrs. Rollins's
illness in London and on shipboard were
mentioned in extenuation. as having been
a great strain on her husband, who was
eager that his wife should get ashore
and to their home at Concord, n. H.
Mr. Wheat said it was unlikely that
Mt Rollins should know all the contents
of the trunks His son was returning
from school at Munich, and his accumu-
lations were packed, and a pair of rid
ing brooches had been sent in the trunks
bv a friend in London to be delivered to
her son. Mr.. Wheat started to explain
more about the breeches, when the court
interrupted with the remark that 1t was
generally known what they were used
for.
Mr. Wheat said that his client did not
receive the government regulations with
the declaration. He had put down fur
coat for $500. expecting to be told at the
pier what other articles should be en-
tered. The counsel told of the occur
rences at the Custom. House. said Mr..
Rollins had asked for counsel, but had
been assured he didn't need one, that if
he did as he was told il would be all
right
The arrest. Mr.. Wheat said. was
great blow. being entirely unexpected
Judge Hand interpolated questions, ask
ing especially regarding the Governors
knowledge of the contents of the trunks.
saying if he was ignorant of them the
plea of guilty was qualification. Mr.
Wheat said that there was not entire ig-
norance, but that the articles were most
ly for women's wear.
Mr.. Wise, after Mr.. Wheat had said
that as the foreign value of the articles
and the duty had been paid sentence
should be suspended. opposed this vigor-
ously. calling attention 10 the request by
an acting deputy surveyor that Mr.. Rol-
Inns reconsider his declaration. He
called the situation unfortunate, but
said that the facts were as stated in the
Indictment
1.-The failure to declare is such a gen
eraI practice" counsel for the defence
hogan. but the court interrupted, saying
that that was why it should be stopped.
Then Judge Hand said that owing to
the distinguished position occupied by
abe accused man he was inclined TO be
more severe than otherwise, but would
curb his inclination. He would have to
assume that the failure 10 declare was
. conscious omission. and the fine was
then inflicted.
MIR. Rollins paid with one $1,000 bill
nine 500 bills and a check for 500. one
~ ire reporters furnishing blank check
FOR the purpose. The complaint againss
,4-s. Rollins and douglas Rollins was