The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-06-18

We have received a copy Of a curious
paper issued in Europe. under the name OF the
Plain Speaker. II purports to be published in
London by ALFRED RICHARDSON; but the imprint
Is that of firm Of printers in Brussels. Its mis-
sion seems to be to rake among the public and
private dongs Of pub lie men in England, and
hold them up to the knowledge Of the world.
How far this purpose is honestly discharged. and
how far the Plain Speaker is merely vehicle Of
ealumny and e1aggeration, we have no means OF
knowing. Among the contents Of the last num-
Der is long letter addressed to Mr.. GLADSTONE
ON Foyeign oiice agencies, the allegations in
which, If true, show an advanced state of corrup-
ton in English politics quite equal, If not supe-
rior, to anything ever complained of on this side
Of the water. According to this letter, certain
Mr. JouS BIDwELL, under cover of a clerkship in
the Foreign Office, has perfected most extern
sive system Of blackmal. He EMPLOYS many
spies and helpers, whose fidelity he is said to re-
ward with lucrative posts and unauthorized pen
sions 1t is charged that Mr. BiDwELL makes a
practice of selling foreign embassies for per-
| centage upon the salaries attached to them. lie
| Is also said to be in partnership with the Chief
Clerk and Assistant Under Secretary Of State for
Foreign Affairs; and it is alleged that they all
three have traded jointly and sevcrally in pub
lie salaries and appointments during the last
eleven years Candidates for diplomatic and
consular places who pay BrDweLL are said to be
relieved from the necessity Of qualifying them
selves for any examination to capacity OF
character The amount of pension paid to any
minister or consul on his retirement from active
life is said to be regulated by the amount Of his
private payments to Mr.. BIDwELL during his
term ofoiIce. The fees exacted by British consul
are often greatly increased in order to provide
the means of making their contributions to BID
WELL. The Abyssinian war is al'o said to have
been caused by the act of one Of BIDwgLLs as
sistants, who intercepted the Queens CORE
spondence with King TupoDoRs and the sam
official is said 70 have been mainly in fault abou
the massacres in Crete. One Of the most remark
able allegations of the Plain Speaker we qnot
entire as follows:
mir. ERsKrSE, now British Envoy, Mr., Gould, SCI
rotary of Legation, and Mr. SMlJrH, second secretar
| al Athens who are responsible Tor the dip
| which has inst ended In a dreadful massacre, wei
all appointed by tho influence o. MI BiDwElL, az,
continue up TO this day TO pay him an annuity out
, | their salaries. None Of them had ever been Gu
ployed in Greece previous to their nomination
The high and responsible Offices above mentioned"
I Although these allegations are put forth amor
ymously, they would certainly seem to CALI f
, a prompt explanation from the parties accuse
II the charges are not true, they form one of Il
grossest lbels ever published, and their auth'
, should be detected and made TO suffer. II the
is any truth in them, it ought to be fully estabs
ed before the world no matter what may be !
effect upon the ruling classes in England or up
individuals prominent in Church or State.