New-York tribune., 1873-03-20
THE BRIrToN INVESTIGATION.

THE BRITTON INVESTIGATION.
GOV. DIX ASKS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION-
THE COMMITTEE OF FIFTY PREPARING AD-
OPTIONAL STATEMENTs-LETrER FROM EA-
DISTRICr-ATTO NORRIS EXPLAINING
PREVIOUS LETTERS.
Gov. Dix has returned the answer of District
Attorney Britton to the charges of the Committee OF
Fifty TO Mr. Backhouse the Chairman, with the ntima
ton that he is anxious TO hear further details before
appointing a Commission to investigate the case. MI
Backhouse is now preparing additional statements OF
facts supported by afdayts and will forward them by
the end Of the week.
Mr Brittons reply has called out personal dcnals and
explanations from gentlemen whom he alluded to IN his
defense, and some singular correspondence has been
the consequence. D. L. Norton has published card in
which he claims that instead Of not knowing what were
the facts charged against keenan, and Dunno for cleo
ton frauds District Attorney Brton was furnished by
him I'm person with afdayits concusyely showing that
these persons were guilty Since the publication OF Mr.
Brttons reply in which he based his defense Of the
charge Of having abandoned the prosecution OF tho
"baotbox suffers" the ground that he had been so
advised by hsIpredecessor in Office, Judge s. d. Morris,
q few days after taking Office the latter has written
communication to friend in which he charges that the
letter Of advice was obtained under false pretcnscs and
antedated months at the request Of Mt Brtton The
following is this singular statement in full:
LETTER FROM JUDGE MORRIS.
y
to the claim set up by Mr. Winchester Brton that my
letter to him. dated Jan TO- and other published state
ments justified him in negecng to prosecute the bal
lotbox suffers. have little disposition now TO explain
anybody but the Governor at the pending inyesga-
ton OF the charges; but TO that knowledge
Of the circumstances under which they were written
clearly demonstrate the absurdity OF Mr.. Brittou's
claims Of justification by these letters. At the time
left Office and Mr. BTtOn entered upon its duties Brook
lyn was agtated by the discovery Of grave election
frauds Such corruption had repeatedly been charged,
but only once before land that under administration
collected the guilty brought TO trial Never be
fore had any convicted persons been punished. Inc
first result discovery Of the frauds OF 1871 was the
indignation meeting at the Academy or Music, ana the
Was an unanimous and indignant demand for the prose
cuOn OF all who had cOnspred TO deb1uch the ballot
HOY with the assistance of Col A. c. Davis the coun
sci Of the Reform Committee had convicted five OF
portance and influence aud we should have convicted
others had the brief time remaining TO me as District
THESE eases were turned over 10 my successor, Dis
trct-AttOrney BrittOn. Tho evidence was submitted
and explained to him. 1t was clear enough to justify
nothing more was Immediately done by him, though
urged to by the Committee of Seyenydvc, and
promising action 70 a subcommittee of that body which
waited on him. For q months nc neglected 10 can up
while was in Office, had returned nc IN
power About the middle of March. 1872 at a public
the prosecution these offenders, and the public ind
nation at delay so unequvoca that Mr. Britton was
for me to add. he has never taken
His first aud only step was to seek OF me- under false
ter he TSof gfT IN @5e9uaS eaten a1 OF his ,4S S
his own is dated a week earlier. Jan. 4, four days
after taking office. Both really written at the same
time, and in March, after the meeting al the Academy
OF Music and antedated at the suggestion and earnest
solicitation of Mr. BUttOn himself. After that meeting
OF March H. he and spoke OF the unfortunate
position in which he placed by the inability OF Col.
Davis and myself to complete the election cases for want
prosecutions had led the public 70 require and hope for
more than he could perform tod him That had re-
mained in Office l should have abandoned some
cases OF mere Insignificant TOOLS but there several
good and clear Of persons holding official positions
known for over two months who these clearly guilty
persons were. He knew what the evidence against
have been justified in abandoning; there were others
Which he cannot be excused from failure 10 prosecute.
Some Of these persons had cleared OUT anu could not
be arrested during my term. They had returned Brit
tons accession TO oice, and could then have been
rested and convicted ugcQ an tnl5 on MI BrlttOn
and told MIN the letter he wished me sign would not
eases He still urged me to sign it, assuring me in the
strongest manner possible that II was his intention to
succeed and asserting that his only wish for the letter
was break the force of the Academy meeting, which
fully he might do his duty st he feared the public
would be looking for more than was possible TO accom-
plish Solely 10 relieve him from his alleged apprehen-
ss n1bIshed had foreseen the tfr1cton which
to be put upon 1t by him. or suspected his criminal
design in soliciting the favor, should Of course never
/ wrote this letter on Mr. Brlttons personal persist
ent, and piteous appeals, against my own Judgment,
solely to protect him from popular condemnation Tor his
delay. lie has used 1t TO justify longer aud needless
delay. and fually TO shield criminals whom know
he burst not prosecute II generous il iadyised
act my part; am satisfied IL base subtcriuge
his ~ protect himself at my expense. The gratitude
he expressed at the time was UnDOunded, and his pro-
testatons Of thanks were prOfuse, and did
ceve for instant that his design base has
since proved think can afford 10 leave MIN ia his
present attitude until the charges openly uyest-
gated. If then he stands justified before the people,
shall be greatly astOnshed >. ID. MORRIS.
Brooklyn, March 10, 1873.