The New York herald., 1871-09-16
FOSTER BLGDGETTS STATEMENT.

An Interview with Mr. Bi0dgett-dis intense
Rndicalism-A Delicate Mnttes-taenerai DE.
nial of All Charges-Why He Waited Three
Months-Never Was Willing to Compromise
Fry's ReyelatiOnS-He 10 Confident.
ATLANTA, August 81, 1871.
The charges made against Foster Blodgett In the
matter OF the State railroad frauds being OF most
serious nature and yet such were open to eXpla
nation, decided upon seeing him personally ana
requesting him to answer few questions touchlng
the matter Although he was in the town all the
time failed to see him until yesterday afternoon,
when, on making known to him my purpose he
promptly promised compliance, and, as he was busy
at the moment invited me to call at his residence in
the evening.
BEN BUTLER RADICAL.
Mr. Bodget resides on walton street, in neat
two story brick house, and tnither I went at half.
past seven o'clock AS mime host' was at tea
when l arrived / requested the lad who re-
ceived me not to disturb him. and, taking seat
IN the handsomely furnished parlor, awaited
his coming Not possessing The descriptive skill OF
Jenkins and, indeed, being mere novice in the
art of interviewing. must express regret at my In
ability to enter into any details concerning the in
terror of the mansion. En- pasSdnt, however,
may mention that Mr.. Blodgett's parlor ornaments
typify his politics. large portrait of President
Grant hangs against one of the walls likeness Of
Senator Morton, OF Indiana, against another, and,
alas a photograph OF Ben Butler stands conspic-
uously on the mantepiece-tnese proving that Mr..
Blodgett still ''stlcks to the republican party as
represented by the radical wing.
DELICATE NATTER.
had not been seated many minutes before Mr..
Blodget entered, greeting me with much cordial.
ity. He is a medium-szed and sleuderly, but com.
pactly, built gentleman, with pleasant features,
and Is quite entertaining anu engaging In his man
ftar hn yrnlm M n
had been passed the subject which had occasioned
the visit was entered upon In advance told him
canddly that should be compelled to put ques.
tlons bluntly, which might appear indelicate under
the circumstances, but that as certainly intended
writing the HERALD statement of what was alleged
against him (my authority 80 warranting) thought
1t best to obtain his sde OF the story 30 that my
reports OF the Investigations in the State railroad
frauds might not appear Influenced by prejudice or
partiality. Mr. Blodgett, IN response declared him.
sell ready TO answer any questions, acknowledging
the propriety OF the HERALD publishing the state
ments on all sides. J. therefore, began interrogar-
ing him.
WHY FOSTER WAITED THREE MONTHS.
CoRREsPoNpENT-Wlli you be good enough to ex-
plain why 1t was that you took no steps to have
arrested the parties implicated in the frauds until
fortnight or 80 ago, although knowledge OF their
offences was given you three months ago by Mr.
McCala, the general bookkeeperS
Mr.. BLoDaETT-Mr. McCalla was not the person
who first told me Of the frauds. The manner III
which they came 10 my knowledge wSs this:-In
May last, while in Washington, i received
letter from my son Ed, in which he stated that he
had discovered something he dared not commit to
paper. and that he would inform me what it was
when he arrived in Washington on his way through
to New York. Perceiviny from the tenor OF
the letter that IT was serious matter, l
Immediately telegraphed him to remain where he
was until he heard from me- and next morning I
followed TO Atlanta. On arriving Ed told m
that frauds, committed by Fry and Others had been
discovered, mentioning the Alexander bills. On the
next day saw McCalla and he told me the same
story. / asked him what the amount was He said
$4,000. then determined to endeavOr to collect
the money first before beginning a criminal prose-
culion. could have recovered the money for the
State could have the guilty parties punished all the
same. The penalty for the offence only ST. 900 fine
aud six months imprisonment Ill the Penitentiary;
hence il had had Fry and Alexander arrested then,
the State would have been, as she will be, loser OF
the amount taken, and the punishment would not
IN judgment assumed the responsibility OF pressing
the matter. He and those working with him went
TO Fry and Alexander, and demanded restitution Of
the money under threat OF prosecution before the
courts. Alexander, who was very much fright
ened, came 10 me and asked me, In tears, II he
could do anything that would avert the dis
grace OF exposure. l told him that l
was sorry for him, and that / would Father
have lost 81, 900 than have heard that frauds had
been committed, but that could see no way in
which could help him. Meantime / had been
making exertions TO have the money returned to
the state IL was necessary TO give the parties time
to pay l.. On the 9th OF August received brief
noie from Mr.. McCalla, informing me that as 1t had
become evident that the parties did not intend TO
make restitution he had placed warrants for their
arrest in the hands OF officers OF the law. / saw
HIM the next day and asked MIN II the parties had
been arrested. lie SAID they mad not been; that ne
had only written me the letter for the purpose OF
alter, hewever It came to my knowiedge that Fry
was making preparatl ons TO leave Georgia, and at
therefore, went to Judge Smith and had warrants
issued for his arrest and also for the arrest OF Alex
OF the money taken. had told Alexander that res
tltution would not end the matter with him, but
that 1t was likely to have weight IN court and tighten
his punishment.
CORRESPONDENT Then your delay In taking action
In the matter was due solely to your desire TO re.
cover the money for the slater
Mr.. BLoDGErT-Such was my sole motive. In Iact
could have had no other, because ! was not In the
slightest degree concerned or implicated in the
NEVER WAS WILLING TO COMPROMISE.
CORRESPONDENTS is stated on good authority
that You expressed yourself wiling to pay the
amount of the Fry Alexander frauds on condition
that the matter was dropped. THIS amounted to
Mr.. BLoDGErr-It Is utterly false. never offered
to pay single dollar. Alexander came to me and
asked me II would contribute to fund OF $40, 600,
TO be paid to McCala, VINO would then resign his
position and leave The State, and that couid then
s1e to ah the Sf @
frauds. / told him that / would not contribute o
dollai that II my own son were implicated In the
frauds / would not. Alexander subsequently told
me that Major Burnett had offered to compromise
the for 000 anu this he stated In his testimony
during his examination. advised him TO return
every dollar that he had received and this amount
Ing TO $3,950 ne did. At a later date he came
back to me and stated that he had heard that Mr..
Harris was willing 10 contribute s5 900 Of the $50 600
to settle the case. The same day asked Harris IL
he was willing, to give the money. Harris replied
"a w a Qnd hn
matter, and l heard no more about 1t. At no time
was willing to pay the sum stolen by Fry and Alex
ander, and ! repeat that never offered or agreed
TO do so the statement is totally false
NO COMPLETELY IN THE FRAUDS.
CoRREsPoSDENT-I have heard tnat frauds eX-
ceeding $500, 900 have been discovered, and 1t Is
stated that you are implicated In some of them.
suppose you have heard the rum0r on the subject.
Mr.. BLODGErT tsmlling)--I have even heard that
warrants had been issued for the arrest OF myself
and my sou, but cannot say II IL be true. AS re.
CARDS the extent or the frauds do not believe them
10 be tenth part OF wnat Is reported SO far as