Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-07-12
The whisky Frauds.
HOW A BOLD ATTEMPT WAS MADETo
RENENUE SEPERNISOR

HOW BOLD ATTEMPT WAS MADE To BRIBE
REVENUE SUPERVISOR.
The circumstances herewith related go to
show how Secretary Brlstow was baffied by
corrupt employees OF the Treasury depart
ment, in his endeavors TO unearth the whisky
frauds:
Late last winter a rectifier of whisky in
Cincinnati discovered that whisky was being
sold in New Orleans at lower rates than in
the former city. He could in no wise recon
ellie this with the fact that the freight which
the distiller in the latter city had to pay for
corn shipped from Ohio, Indiana, and ILL
nOiS must prevent honest dealers from I'M
derselling the Cincinnati market. Accord
ingly he came on 10 Washington and pre-
sented the facts to Secretary Bristow, who
decided to make an inveSt cation.
Tie first step taken was to summon from
South Carolina to Washington Supervisor
Hunt. This officer was personally known TO
Mr.. Bristow. and enjoyed his fullest conf
denee. The statements set forth by the Gin
cinnau dealerwere related to the supervisor,
aud he received written instructions as TO
the course To be pursued in his investigation.
Then from this city ne started from New Or
leans.
HIS TRIP ANTICIPATED.
Now it is evident some one In the Treas
ury department. autographed to the whisky
men the mission of Hunt, and q very minute
personal description OF him. Hunt left di-
rect for New Orleans. While standing on
the platform at Holly Springs. Mi s., he was
approached by tranEer, who extended his
hand and said: Mr.. Hunt, am glad to meet
YOU The supervisor was somewhat embar-
raised, but having a suspicion that all was
not right, and with the possible hope that
the preSuming stranger might aid him in
the objects of the trip he pretended to know
hum, They both passed into the cars, and
after being comfortably seated, the stranger
without any ado told Mr.. Hunt his business
and infinitely detailed to him the substance
OF his instructions as given him by Secretary
BristOw. Then with the assurance that he
could trap the supervisor he told him the trip
he was undergoing was unnecessary; that if
he would make a report favorable to the
New Orleans people, he (the Speaker) was
authorized to enter into a written promise
to pay him $1,000 per month. Said he:
1--WE PAID THIS 10 the former supervisor and
we don't consider it liberal by any means.
Alter this offer was made il was Mr.. Hunts
time TO speak. He Indignantly refused TO
accept the bride and proceeded on his way.
The stranger, however, stuck to him like a
leech. He took rooms at the same hotel Oc-
cupied by Hunt and importuned him at
every convenient opportunity TO accept his
Offer. Even after Hunt left New Orleans he
followed him homewaTd to Louisville, Lex
ingtOn, and thence to Cincinnati.
Mr.. BRISTOW SUSPICIOUS.
Hunt reported the facts 10 Mr.. BriStOw.
At the time he did so the Secretary was in
the midst of the examination il 70 the whisky
frauds transactions. His first move was to
secure an outside man. one Independent al
together of the Treasury TO whom all infor-
nation should be sent and through him
given to the Secretary. The mai chosen
was Gen. BOyntOn, of the Cincinnati Gd5ette,
and faithfully did he perform his duties.
WHO WAS THE INFORMER?
Now even tctOre McGrew or any body else
made charges against Mr.. Avery, 1t is under
stood That the Secretary himself called on
his chief clerk to explain. how it could have
been possible thaStne visit of Hunt had
teeD anticipated. There were but few men in
the department who knew OF hunts visit.
Some one of them gave that infOrmatiO ion.
II is alleged that Supervisor Yaryan did il,
hnt there is no proof Oft, and he Indignantly
denies it.
however established the fact that some dis
honest person or persons in the department
were in communication with the whisky
men. To ascertain who they are is now
the earnest desire of Secretary Brstow and
the guilty ones may make up their mind
they will eventually be discovered and pun
iShed, while the innocent. even though under
the ban for the present, will be triumphantIy
vindicatCd.