The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-29
How Justlce was BETRAYED.

When RICHARD HARRINGTON was in
dioted and tried for conspiracy In the safe
burglary last winter, the whole power OF
the Washington Ring In all its ramifica-
tons, the District Attorneys office, and
other connecting influences, were exerted
70 prevent his conviction. The jury was
packed ne far as was possible by the United
States Marshal, brother-in law Of the
President; witnesses were spirited away
and concealed by corrupt use of the pub
ho money, and in the midst Of the trial
HARRINGTUN was invited NJ n guest ut the
White House for effect on the jury aud the
comm unity.
That the jury was tempered with after
retiring is no longer a matter of doubt.
Boss SHEPHERD and some OF his confed-
crates were found in the building at night,
and signals between the jury room and
parties outside were seen plainly by
various persons who, ~lspecting collision,
had placed themselves in position to watch
the movements within and without. Il is
believed that n very large sum Of money
was expended in various ways to procure
mn acquittal.
In spite OF these extraordinary efforts
there was disagreement. Three honest
men could not he driven from their belief
IN HARRINGToNs guilt The case had been
managed by the Hon. A. G. RIDDLE ms
special counsel. Soon after the trial he
ssoertained that important testimony
could be had which had been kept out of
his reach, and which would insure u con-
viction in another trial. This fact was
made known 10 q. ii. WILLIAMS, then At
-
operating in the interest OF justice,
abruptly dismissed Mr.. RIDDLE ana the
case against HARRIEGToN, with those of
WILLIAMS. WHITLEY, and CuSz. who had
also been indicted at the same time.
When Mr.. RIDDLE entered the court the
next day, he rose aud said:
-IhGve received the morning the communication to
sns 20 .uom Il re.. ~ oow one ""'" "0uD be
"DKrAnTNESr - JvsTicK,
"MAsntNoroE. Dec. 4, 1874.
-Hos. 4. @. RIDpLE-a, Min you be good ,uough
oovsnmenl does propose take any further pro.
on me a, n whte"cf Other sep TTis may T 20
tAken in reference 10 the ease VII be the subject VI iu
GEoEor ii. SiElrAss Attorney. General"
Judge MACARTHUR, peculiar friend Of
the Ring, was holding the criminal term,
md he promptly came to the relief of the
conspirators by declaring;
sIdisnss the Indictment cancel the RECON izAnces
der Of the Court, So ends the pro,ecatlon '''
From that day to this no attempt has
been made To bring these criminals before
. court for trial, and the statute Of lin ia
tions which is said TO apply has nearly run
Its course, because the District Attorneys
Office was used to screen the villany, ana
20 thwart every form of prosecution. II
Il thus seen that the great machinery of
Government, and especially OF the de-
partment created to promote justice, was
scandalously employed to protect u gang
OF scoundrels who had deliberately con-
spired to ruin a citizen, for no o her reason
than because he had resisted the outrages
and exposed the frauds of the Washing
ton Ring.
Mr.. CLEMENT II. HILL, then Assistant
Attorney -General, who was detailed to
aid Mr.. RIDDLE in the case of HARRING-
TON, and who was in earnest throughout,
was soon after the trial driven from Office
on account of the zeal he had exhibited on
that occasion. The upright discharge OF
duty was something the President would
not tolerate when II touched the persons
OF the interests Of the Ring which is in
Eenched at the White House.
1t is said a new leaf has been turned over
and that Mr.. PIERREPoET desires 10 re-
deem the reputation OF his ONCE by disin-
fecting it OF the impurities left by WILL
LIAMs. If he means 10 live up to these
professions, there is great opportunity
before him. A Grand Jury is now sitting
at Washington, and nothing IL easier than
70 bring before II witnesses who can turn
inside out the whole villainy OF the safe
burglary, aud bring before the blaze OF
day the infamous wretches who connected
that dabolical crime. Now is his chance,
and he will do well not 10 miss IT,