The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-12-05
BABO0OK.

Gen. Bsbcock wants Court Of Inquiry. The
Cabinet consider the point, and perhaps Will
grant G an. Babcock's modest request oecfe-
tary Babcock will appoint the officers OF the
court. and the court will organize, and-in-
ouire The average citizen might suppose
that q Court of Inquiry would be appointed
to investigate something in Gen. Babcocks
official conduct as an officer OF the array
Not at all. The Court of Inquiry to be ap-
pointed at Gen. Babcock's request is to IN
onire about Gen. Babcock's connection with
whisky-not whisky as beverage, or as .
medicament, in which capacity it might
influence Gen. Babcock's "conduct as
an officer and gentleman Ou'
WHISKY as an object of taxation and revenue;
not "whisky straight" with which Gen. BAD
cock is supposed to be familiar as becomes q
military hero: but whisky crooked" OF
which he declares that he knows nothing, and
of which he claims to be more innocent than
Kentucky baby. Butth question Will force
itself on the mind of the average citizen,
what in the world a court Of inquiry COM
nosed Of military officers has to do with Gen.
Babcock's connection with the whisky ring.
The ordinary citizen who INDUCES in IN
limited "whisky straight" and gets drunk IN
consequence and becomes disturber OF the
peace, is hauled before q magistrate,
and fined and imprisoned Gen. Bah
cock being a near friend and confident OF
the President, might escape with mild Gen.
sure from the crusading women. But
"whisky straight" is in question now; it is
"crooked whisky" The average citizen who
launches into the devious ways OF crooked
whisky, violates the laws of the land, and be-
comes liable to indictment, and trial, convic-
ton and punishment. So does the average
office holder-and even the ofice-holder so
far above the average that he is admitted to
the confidence and friendship of the Presi-
dent He may assume virtuous airs, and
declare himself absolutely innocent" but he
does not ask for Court Of Inquiry composed
of other ofice-holders.
If Mcdonald and Joyce could have been
tried by court composed of other super
visors and collectors, they would doubtless
have been declared absolutely innocent, "
and even recommended for promotion. As it
is, their chance of going to the Penitentiary
seems to be remarkably good. But why
should Bsbcock be tried by court composed
of his brother officers rather than by the
courts and juries to which the law RENTS the
trial Of such charges as those which have
been brought against him? Is it because he
is the nearest friend of the President? Is it
because his trial before jury would
expose those secrets which the reputation
Of the President requires to be con-
cealed from the public? It certainly
has this appearance. Hence, if the Court
should be appointed, and if it should pro-
claim Gen. Babcock to be absolutely inno-
cent" the suspicious of the public will be
confirmed rather than dispelled, and ad-
Sitional odium will be reflected on the Ad-
ministration, which has one measure of JUS
tice for the tools and servitors whom it aban-
dons to the vengeance of the law, and another
for the familiars and intimates whom it
wishes to protect.