The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-01-08
CRAN1.s CHIEF JUSTICE.
AtfoEney.Gsreral williams and the
r.. Nipple Ring.

announcement that the NOMINATION %
Attorpe General Williams has bec'
recommitted to the Judiciary Commit
tee 10 taken here as an indication ths'
he will not be confirmed, and causes
general satisfaction. The revelations
of the last few days have converted
| fully ons-hali Of Judge Williams
friends in this city iato bitter enemies.
His adherents are confined to the Nipple
Mitchell ring, all OF the leaders OF which
find themselves mensced by the elec-
tion fraud investigation set on foot by
nited States District Attorney Gibbs.
Heretofore Williams has not open
ly taken sides in the quarrel going on
here between the two wings OF the Re-
publican party, aud he has been regard
ed as the possible instrument OF iu.
ture reconciliation. The removal OF
Gibbs has changed this, and Williams
is now looked upon much as Nipple is
himself To understand this il is nee
essary 10 know something OF the demor-
slizatiou OF the ring which Williams is
now proslitutiug the Department ot
Justice" to cave has brought upon this
community and Stale.
Nipple first began 10 intrigue for the
Senate in 1850, 10y capturing the prims-
ries OF bis party with hired ruflisns.
With these he took possession OF the
stairway aud hall leading to the roow
where the principal primary meeting
was being held and prevented by force
any but bis part;sans from entering.
At that time Gibbs, the man whose re-
moval has contributed to the present
feeling here, then the late law partner
OF Attorney-Geseral Williams, and
Governor OF the State, vss his compe,i-
tor for the Sena;orship. Neither cot il.
The contest was the beginning OF the
split in the party. Nipple perservered
| in the means adopted to carry his fret
primary election. lie employed them
in his business. lie succeeded
at last in filling the different
county offices with his tools, the most
plant of whom was placed on the bench
OF the State court in this circuit. Not
an average lawyer, he has by superior
courage and cunning, succeeded whore
weaker men would have failed aud gone
to the penitentiary. Within the last
two or three years be undertook to get
possession OF an immense estate, COM
p,ising a part Of the site Of this CITY,
known as the "Caruthers estate, snd
varously estimated at from half mil
lion to a million dollars. In carrying
out his plans an infrm bsggar from ST.
Louis, was imported and caused 10
persouste the heir to the estate, under
the name OF Joe Thomas. One OF the
most remarkable trials in the history
of the State followed. The
Western aud Southern States
were rsnsacked by attorneys in
search OF evidence. Scores OF witnesses
were imported to testify pro and con.
The impostor swore at great l.ugth
and with infinite detail concerning his
carly life. The material facts dsted
back more than half century, aud It
was necessary that the claimant should
be nipety-two years old. The whole
community, a large number OF the
members oil which found their titles as
called, became deeply interested in the
proceedings. The perjury aud bribery
employed for the claimant were simply
marvellous. After some two years
LITIGATION, a Judgment favorable 10 the
| i'm postor was pronounced in MitcheIIs
court, and the rightful heirs were driven,
with one exception, into q compromise
by which the greater portion Of their
estate was sacrificed The obstinate
heir is prosecuting bis resistance with
the assurance Of speedy triumph. The
claims OF the pretender have been 90
completely overthrown that the "old
beggsr" has thrown Of the mssk and
made full confession in the premises.
His name is Nixon. lie says be was a
beggsr in St. Louis; was picked up by
emissaries Of Hipple, prepared and paid
for the infamous service which he rem.
dered. His confession hiss been pub.
lished in all the papers. and has caused
the conspirstors to withhold the..greater
part OF his pay and cast him of. He is
to-day begging through the towns Of
the interior. But few men could
have survived the blow that
this exposure bss given Hip
ple-if be shall be 60 fortunate. His
seat in the Senate is the last hold that
he has on society. With the manners
Of woman and the moral. OF devil
he has carried into politics the same
Infamous disposition that character
lied him in the attempt upon the Ca
ruthers estate. Hollsdsy had scarcely
landed ia Oregon before an alliance
was formed between the two and the
work oil debsucbiDg our elections was
begun on q scale commensurate With
their interests and joint capacities. The
frauds OF last October were so unblush-
ing that the State was thrown into ex-
citenent by their recital from one end
to the other. u vas un-
der such circumstances that
4 the Uoite1 States District Attorney
one grand jury having refused on the
most positive testimony to fnd any in
dictments for these election crimes
moved for new grsrd jury. apd il was
this act Of the District Attorney that
caused the head OF the Department Of
Justice" to promptly intervene IN be-
half OF the repesiers. Since roy Last
letter two Of those indicted for illegal
voting by the new grand jury have
pleaded guilty and have been sentenced
, by the court 70 one years imprison-
. ment. All that the Attorney General
can do for these two criminals 10 to "a. +.
duce President Grant to pardon them
. as Was done in the case OF the Phils-
delphia repeater.
A new charge has been made sgaiDsi
the Attorney-Geueral within few
days. one which IL true shows him 70