Possible Clues:

• A line's told to charge
• Charge with, lay blame on
• Outstanding copper's in charge
• Lay blame or allege guilt
• From what Zola wrote, judge dropped charge
• If it's a ship that's in dock you would not do this
• Employment for a small measure?
• Blame for a crime
• One cannot defend the use of so small a measure
• Put the finger on