Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-10-18
..I:cpori oran Interview"

The New York Herald recently scnt cores
poudent to Investigate the MoSby- Boyd affair,
who had interviews with both parties. Leaving
out the greater part Of the correspondent clap
trap about big pistol that lay upon the table
in Col Mosby's office. and some general opin-
ions OF no particular Importance, the following
is his account OF the statement made by Col
Mosby
"Colonel Mosby, what was the Origin OF the
difficulty between COL Boyd and yourself p
Mosby-Wcil, will tell you; and | AN glad
to do So because | suppose people outside will
think that it arose out OF political differences,
when it did not had and have nothing per
sona against Colonel Boyd. He was sent here
last April by General Candy to act as Sheriff OF
Fauauier county. 1t was soon discovered that
his bond was worthless, those who had signed
it not being worth anything. There was meet
ing Of the members OF the bar here relative to
the subject. At this meeting memorial al
dressed to General Candy was drawn up and
adopted. 1t set forth the fact that Col Boyd
had failed 10 give a satisfactory bond, and that
the members OF the bar felt it to be their duty
IN the interest OF theirclicntS to protest against
Colonel BOyd's performing the duties of Sheriff
without giving bond was selected to carry
the memorial to General Canby, which [ did.
CorreSp0ndcnt-What did General Candy
say to yOu2
Mostv-He said he would look into the mat
ter; but instead OF doing SO he sent Col. Lee
here tOinstitute an Investigation into an alleged
conspiracy among the members of the bar OF
this place to defeat the reconstruction laws.
Correspondent there q conspiracy Tor
that purpose?
Mosby-Not a bic OF it. We had no more
notion Of interfering with the reconstruction
laws than you have. We simply wanted a
man for Sheriff who would not run away with
the revenues of the county, or 1t he did run
away We wanted to have some bondsmen that
had something to take hold of.
Correspondent Were Col. BOYD boudSmen
persons OF property?
Mosby-No; they had nothing believe
that altogether they did not pay more than
ninety cents internal revenue tax. So you can
Judge how much property they had. One OF
them named Cannon applied TO be released
from the bond shortly after Boyd qualified.
Correspondcnt-Why did he do that1
Mosby-Wcll, Cannon is the editor OF little
paper here called the Sentinel Colonel Boyd
went to him and said Cannon, il you go on
age of the Shcriil's Office. Cannon agreed TO
this. and became one of BOyd'S securities -
Cannon soon discovered, however, that Boyd
had no advertising, and no patronage OF any
sort. and so he petitioncd to be released.
characterization it was sort OF q bar
gain between Boyd aud Cannon for their mu
taal benefit
Mosby- Precisely. The matter came up in
C,rt before Judge liil lie decided that
the bond was worthless, and Cannon was re-
leased. What do YOU think Candy did? lie
appointed Colonel Boyd over again without any
bond at all, although we told him we would be
satisfied if he would detail General Mcklbbcn
OF any other regular army officer to act as
Sheriff, because their commission would be
some security.
Correspondent Did Gen. Canby assign any
reason Tor appointing Boyd over again
Ncsby No, he did not. | doa't like to
question 4 mans motives, but it was little
singular that Canty should hang on to this
man Boyd when he knew he had no bond and
was iusolvent besides.
CorrespOndent-Yo on don't mean to intimate
that there was any corrupt purpose on the part
O. General Candy?
Nnsbv-Wcll, it looks as if there was some,
tb;no wrong. think Candy is the tagin oi
the business. and Boyd is the Arttul Dodger'
Urrc Colonel Mosby laughed. whether at the
idea of his being we'll up in Dickens "OhveI
Twist" or at the respective roles OF uenera
Canby and Colonel Boyd was not apparent.
Corrcspondeut-Well, how does the case
stand now .n
Mosby-Coloncl Boyd is still Sheriff. but ht
has given no bond. lie has, however, 'larmc &C e
out" the office to Mr.. Hume, who was oheril
here before the war. /,
Corresp spoudent-What do you mean ol
"iarming out the Office.
Mosby-Mr. Hume can't take the IRON
clad" but Boyd can. Hume gives Boyd S1O'
for the privilege of acting as Sheriff Boy
signs the writs, but Hume does the work ant
gets the perquisites or fees That's what W
call farming out.
Correspondent-Is that common thin
here?
office, It's the effect of the Iron clad.
Here's one OF my boys, Chiffon, who is Con
monwealth Attorney for this county; lie gay
aome fellow a couple of hundred dollars to tax
the iron clad" tor him, aud he ILLS the oihct
Correspondent is General Candy aware
this Warming out" business?
Mosby-Of course he is, tell you 1t
done ali over Virginia by the men whom Cant
appoints TO fill the offices. ~