The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-08
REPUTATION.

with s20,OOO,OOO In BpecIo-Frank Blair
One of the Conspirators.
The Cincinnati Gazette Of Thursday publishes
the following astounding revelations
We were yesterday placed in possession of the
following details of an alleged scheme for the
reputation of the public debt. The plan, as
reported is one OF vast proportions, and is
said TO be participated In by persons in all parts
of the nation. 1t involves in its carrying Out
the possession OF millions of money and an
organization more complete than any that has
existed in this country. Men prominent In poll
teal circles of the land are said to be impli-
Gated in IT, and IL is stated that the society has
600 GOO, ,0O0 in specie in its treasury 70 further
its objects 1t is u most astounding scheme for
the repudiaiion OF the public debt, and its re-
velation will command general, even II In
eredulous. attention.
The First Initlings.
About six months ago there was brought to
District Attorney Bateman and United States
Marshal IIickenloopcr, of this city, report OF
the existence of q secret society, the OBJECT OF
which was said to be the reputation of the pub
lie debt Though the information was not very
definite, these officers, we are told, considered
it their duty TO forward what they had learned
TO the authorities at Washington. Whether the
Government considered the Information too as
founding to be believed, or whether 1T waited,
hoping to secure through the aid of the secret
service more definite and authentic knowledge,
we know not We believe, however, that no
apparent attention was paid to the communica-
bon.
About four weeks ago Colonel Bristow, United
States District Attorney ut Louisville, heard the
rumor that had, five months before, come to the
ears of Mr. Bateman and General Hlckenlooper.
Whether the rumor was accompanied by more
substantial evidence or not than when 1t had
been first bruited about, we do not know. II Is
sufficient to say that Colonel Bristow placed
credence enough in it to call to the matter the
attention of Colonel A. Hoagand, special de-
tective in the employ OF the United States, and
at that time engaged in the prosecution OF
some tobacco cases at Covington.
Colonel Hoagland occupying room No.
149 at the Burnet House. On the evening of the
18th OF December Mr.. Houston King appeared
before him, and of his own accord made full
statement of the great conspiracy.
Houston King
is a man about thirty-1lye years OF age tall,
slender, wearing chin whiskers. He dresses
quietly and in good TASTE lie is kentuckian
by birth, and during the war fought in the Con-
'ederate service, gaining before peace came the
rank of Colonel. Returning to Kentucky after
wards, he settled down in Elliott county, and
has lately been the clerk of the Court of that
county. This position he gave up, he says, that
ne might make the disclosure.
The Sworn statement.
In the room at the BuTnet House, on the eves-
ing of the 14th Of last month, were Colonel
Hoagland Mr. Thomas Mayfed of this city,
young Ian who was acting as secretary OF Colo
mel Hoagland, Mr.. Houston King, and Mr.. Tyree,
formerly United States Deputy Marshal OF
Kentucky, and another gentleman whose name
we have been unable TO learn.
In the presence OF these witnesses Mr.. King
made statement that was taken down as he
dictated it, by Mr.. Mayheld. This statement
was to the effect that in December, 1866, he left
New OrleaI 8, by ocean steamers for New York.
In the course OF his voyage he formed the ac-
quaintance of one Harlow j. Phelps, OF New
Orleans, who was also on his way to New York.
Phelps, learning that King had served In the
Confederate army, IN which he had himself
and hlpd hppamp uuitp Intimate with
him. SO close, indeed, was the friendship that
arose that To King impaired the informa-
tiOn that great reputation party was in pro-
gress of formation. Northern men and South
ern men were equally interested in the move
ment it was stated, and Phelps ut last became
30 contidng as to announce that he was on his
way to New York at that very time for the pur-
pose of getting the plan under way
King was induced to join him. Arriving In
New York the two attended Tammany meet
ing, and afterwards they were introduced into
side room where some two hundred persons,
already initiated into the movement, were
assembled. The great object to be secured was
the reputation of the public debt 1t was pro-
posed at first to commence the manufacture of
gJeenbacks on q large scale, then hood the coun-
try with them, then purchase all the gOld and
TO thus withdraw all the specie from the banks,
and to create such general financial embarrass-
ment as to lead to popular lnsurrecton and re-
pudiation.
Plans were somewhat changed at last II was
decided to try and buy the original plates, in
stead of attempting to manufacture new ones.
This was accordingly done. The original plates
were bought--bouSht from parties in the Trea-
sury. Mr.. King implicatcs in this sale MIR.
Cooper, appointed Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury by President johnson. price high
enough was paid for these plates. The society
could afford to do 1t, for Mr. King states that it
has now in its Golfers no less than $40, 100000
As soon as the plates were brought, the work
of striking off bills began. These bills could be
detected in no way from the genuine issue, for
they we're printed from the same plates. Banks
for their circulation have been established
throughout the whole country. Sixty million
dollars worth of them have already been put
npon the country For four long years this work,
according to Mr.. Kings story, has been going
steadily forward. Day after day the lying
presses have been busy, and the consplrators
have ceased not in their nefarious work.
On the 1st and I'd of November, 1859, the
society, Mr.. King says, was reorganized and
General Frank p. Blair was elected President.
Its headquarters are still in New York, and it 4,
from that city that all the bills are sent.
''Sworn TO and Subscribed Before Me-"
The astonishing statement of which the fore
going is an abstract was then taken TO Mr.
James M. Blackburn, Clerk of the United States
oath was administered to Mr.. King and readily
taken.
no. for Washington.
Information of this statement was at once
sent to Washington, and thither, in few days
went Colonel Hoagland day or two after hi.
arrival Mr. King accompanied by his attorney
Mr. j. S. Filson, of Greenupsburg KY, pre-
sen.ed himself and had an interview with th,
authorities.
is This Ame
Us the matter to end here? Is the man
monomaniac, or is there somewhat of truth il
his sworn statement? These are questions
more easily asked than answered.
IL may be worth while to state, by way o