New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-11

Attorney Harrington, who il one of Gov. shepherd
attorneys with having done it. Harrington appeared
at the Committee room, with counsel on Friday
last, and that fact caused many adverse remarks.
The Sunday papers which arc controlled by the
Ring protest against the investigation by a Com
mttoe of Congress. as they always protest against
any inquiry that puts the Ring on trial.
The crOss-examination of Gov. Shepherd, by Judge
Wilson last night, disposed Of moro misstatements
in the reports of the Board Of Public Works, and
threw more light upon the operations of the Ring
than any testimony that before taken since the
investigation began. 1t may be remembered that
at the beginning OF this session. the Board of Public
Works made out bill against the United States
Government, amounting to more than S4,0OOOCO
member of the Committee said to-day that he did
not believe Judging from the information so far OBJ
tanned, that the Government owes the Board more
than S5OO,OOO.
THB STORY OF THE SAFE ROBBERY AS TOLD BY THE
DISTRICT OFFICERS AND THE RoBBER.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCHl
WASHINGTON, May 10-The Sunday Capital
has an article the mystery connected with the recent
hurgarous breaking open of the safe OF the United
States DlstrctAttorney which is now undergoing IN
vestgaon by the Grand Jury and the District Lef'sa-
ture and will this week be inquired into by the Con-
gressioual Committee investigating the affairs OF
the District Government. From this statement 1t APP
pears some Gays before the event occurred, MT.
Harrington, the Secretary for the District Govern
ment, and who is Assistant United States Attorney
and one OF the counsel for tho District Govern
ment before the Investigating Committee, received an
anonymous letter. mailed in New-YOrk informing him
that the writer had been employed break Harring-
toms safe for the purpose Of absactng certain papers
said to of importance TO the Investigating Committees
that the party employing him had "gone back on his
agreement, ana the writer therefore was moved To
blow on him This letter Mr.. Harrington submitted
to the Chief Of Police and the concluded that twas
sufficient hint which to act. To this end watch
was put upon the safe. Some time before this, how
ever the Hon. Thomas Swami Of Baltimore, was called
from the COmmttec-rOOm Of tho Committee
on Appropriations by three men, one Of
whom was personally known to Mr.. Swami as
Baltimore detective when lie CNIr. SWAMI was Mayor
Of that city, This man informed Mr. Swami that he had
obtained clue to a proposed burglary, in which Gov
eminent safe was be broken into and certain papers
distracted of great importance to committee in nyes-
tigatiOn. Mr.. Swami communicated these facts to
Messrs. Garfield and Starkweather, who happened at
the time to be in the commteeroom The three gen.
tlemen thinking this to the S1nborn business
turned over Messrs. Dawes and Foster Mr.. Dawes
heard the statement and addressing note to the Prei
dent. sent the men to the Executive Mansion. The
President in turn the inquiry 10 the Treasury De-
parmeDt THIS last resulting IN the announcement that
no such papers were tho department the matter
dropped
on the night Of the burglary strong body Of police,
headed by the Chief OF Police aud Mr. Harrington,
watched the premises while the safe being blown
open. This was determined for the purpose OF not
only securing the burglar but the parties employing
him. OF the two men entering the office one escaped.
The other however, was Swallowed along the street
until he reached the residence of Columbus Alexander,
one of the principal gentlemen, who had memorialized
Congress for investigation of the af'rs OF tho
Gov nj hn ctad
while ringing the bell OF Mr.. Alexander's base
mont door, but did not obtain entrance. TIE burglar
thus arrested at first MAINTAINED resoe silence but
stating that he mad been employed In NcW-fork by
man named Butler to break open Government
safe in Washington city containing certain papers Of
great value TO committee of Congress; that he re-
cevcd 500 down, with promise OF 900 when tho job
should be completed with also half the swag, that Is,
property Of value found in the safe In accordance
where he introduced to Mr.. Alexander, who prom
ised him the money when the papers should be delivered
rested.
me capital says: OF course such a statement made
by burglar caught III the act carries weight what
ciizsn whose active lite known to tho community has
been one OF honorable dealings Recognizing this fact
while making every effort TO secure the accomplish
Butler and Others Immediately concerned III the dark
transaction. The story connecting Columbus Alexander
with tic burglary is not at all reasonable. That gem
tleman must have known, he even capable
Of the crime, that no papers of Importance
United States D!sirct-Attorney. Had the safe
broken into been that of William A. Cook, esq,
the District Of Columbia Attorney, the story would gam
in FEASIBILITY There are people who believe that the
burglars, being STRANGERS here, mstO0k the safe Per-
hlps That they search of documents that
could he used either through sale or blackmang, few
have any doubt. No burglar, unless he were ono who
had broken out OF lunatic asylum, would blow open
District Attorney safe with the expectation OF finding
yalUabies there We scc however, that Mr. Alex
aoder may be mixed up in this dlscrclitabe affair and
he entirely innocent Of crime. Remembering the i'll
tense bitterness engcnercd by tins war between the
ucuOrialists and the District Government, can
readily that 10 approach Mr.. Alexan
der gentleman Of violent animosites. with PROPOSE
produce papers of grave importance to the nyes
tigaton, Mr.. Alexander would readily entertain the
offer, and without knowing or susptcng the means 10
no employed, would engage 20 pay lbeE1y for the evil
dence. The popular belief that this was "a scheme
Matched in the DstrictAttorney's Office intended to
ruin Alexander, Will not bear moments consid-
GRAFTON, These gentlemen have the claim 10 the
results of good character as Alexander Bat, in adj
ditiOn, the story itself is midsummer nights dream.
Ii these gentlemen were wicked enough put ia pfac
tce evil plot 1t wonld be impossible find the
burglar willing TO be a martyr for the arrested is
the high road 10 the penientIary. No realizes
this than the said offenders He IS anxious to turn
states evidence but unfortunately for himself he has
evidence worth purchasing"