New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-26
PAYMASTER HODGE PABDONED.
WHY HE WAS RELEAsED-A PROMISED RAID ON
WALL.-ST

WHY HE WAS RELEAsED-A PROMISED RAID ON
WALL.-ST.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-It was rumored IN
October last that Paymaser Hodge, convicted about
year and half ago OF embezzling about hall mllloh
dollars Of Government money, and sentenced 10 Ten
years Imprisonment In the Albany PenitentaryI Wod
be pardoned by the President after tho election This
rumor received very little credit Administration ora
tors all over the country at the time citing the con-
yction and Imprisonment Of Hodge an answer TO all
charges Of dishonesty the part Of officers under the
Administration 1t turned out TO be true, however Tor
the President issued warrant of pardon to-day and
Hodge will at once be released
Later-he pardon OF Paymaster Hodge to-day, BY the
President it is stated was called for by grave reasons
of State The first thing in Importance is the fact that
he is thus made witness for the Government against
the Nev-York brokers who either spent or made the
100000 which the Government was compelled 10 lose
through Hodges stock operations. The Bureau or JUS
tice Is authority for the statement that the Government
will spare no expense in bringing these brokers TO JUS
tiee The theory is that IL wast brokers are once In
undated paymasters will be offered no nducement to
invest their funds in an Legitimate manner
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATcHl.
On Saturday President Grant satisfied himself that the
Department OF Justice could not take preliminary meas
ures for the pardon Of Major Hodge as this was mat
ter exclusively pertaining to the war Department.
Hodge having been convicted Of the embezzement OF
general cOurt-martlal, ana " ch
years confinement in the Penitentary Tue PRESIDENT
accordingly had a conference with Secretary Belknap
and other gentlemen in high official position upon tne
subject The President was, II is understood moved 70
tbs act OF cemency by the belief that MAJOR hodge was
drawn into the defalcaton by the ntrgues OF others
rather than by any premedtated intention OF MS own
10 deraud the Government His frank ACKNOWLEDGMENT
OF the crime, and his voluntarily making all repaatoh
in his power by surrendering his private property ms
wife Insisting upon joining him with her own lndlyiu
ga S5I S officers s 9 ~ e A but many
others in prominent public and social position VINO were
ACQUAINTED with all the facts Of the case HIS conduct
az the trial. declining to take any technical advan
tages and also his department since his CONFINEMENT
have some what contributed TO his liberation. His Wlfe
who Is in very delicate health aud their children made
earnest appeals TO the President which were not among
the least OF the efforts in his BEHALF and when strength
ened the President in his disposition TO extend hg par
doning power Besides, It was considered taae gqgS
who previous to the embezzlemcnt had borne hlSi
cbararter for honesty among his brother officers, and
was respected among them for his social quaite ha1
already been severely punished by the stigma attached
TO him by the sentence The announcement OF the par
don made this afternoon, was Immediately telegIapheu
nv AdiutantGe Townsend TO the Warden OF Albany
Penitentiary who was directed TO iberate Major lodge
without delay telegram was also sent 10 his vic lu
forming her Of the action Of the President