New-York tribune., 1875-12-04
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
THE WHISKY CONSPIRACY.
GEN. BABCOCK's DEMAND.

| SHOWING HOW THE GENERAL WILL PROBABLY Yrr
Gsr CHANCE TO BF BEARD-A COURT or IN
CURRY UsELEss-IMPOssrBuITY OF OBTAINING
ALL or THE BlBCoCK TILEGRAss-wHERH THE
MONEY WENT TO.
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUsEI
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The written request Of
Gen. Babcock for court of inquiry TO investigate
the charges against him in connection with the ~.
Louis whisky frauds, is treated with derison here
by persons who have the meaus Of knowing some
thing more of tho snbect than has yet appeared in
print Such persons say that Gen. Babcock need
not complain that IN opportunity TO answer the
charges is denied him. for il is only necessary for
him TO have little patience. The Grand Jury is
still sitting at st. Lonis, and ex-senator Henderson
will in due time make good his promise TO show
Gen. Babcock's connection with the conspiracy.
Thus far, not half the kilograms and papers 10 and
from Gen. Babcock have been given to the public,
and the fact developed by the trial. connecting
Gen. Babcock with the conspiracy, has never reached
Eastern readers Many leading facts have been sur.
pressed by the press agents in ST. Louis. Neither
has the extent Of the frauds been understood, nor
what disposition made Of the money collected
by the Ring. II is known that the Rings share Of
the money robbed from the Government amounted
TO between and two millions OF dollars. The
story of the whis1ey frauds will be fully told
did not go TO Mcdonald, Joyce 4 Co., nor to Avery
to the gaugers and subordinate officers Unques-
tionably, large amounts were divided among Gov
erument officers, but where the bulk of il went may
he learned within few weeks. The frauds were at
their height IN 1871 and 1872. Telegraph companies
destroy their dispatches every two years. and those
for the years mentioned are Of course beyond human
power to restore. Ii Congress however, which now
seems probable, chooses 70 take up the subject, it
Will be in order 10 ask where all the money came
from that was used for the second election of Gen
Grant. and whether any st. Louis whisky money
was used for that purpose; and, further whether
anybod, near the President in addition Ia Gen. Bah
cock, had anything to do with raising the money.
Gen. Babcock will probably have ample time and
opportunity 10 answer the charges contained ia Mr.
Henderson's speech, and 10 explain his telegrana
What he now asks is military court OF inquiry TO
investigate the facts this bearing Oh hs position as
Colonel Of Engineers ia the army. A Court Of III
quiry has power Whatever either TO pnnish OF
quit aud in the present ease is wholly useless. No
such court can reach the facts at present.
Gen. Babcocl must know. All the documents are
in the hands of the Government officers and all tho
evidence cannot he reached for the simple reason
that il is in use before civil judicial tribunal,
which is higher than a court Of inquiry. II e1-Sen-
atOr Henderson. who the attorney representing
the Government in the prosecution of the whisky
cases does not make good his threat 10 connect Gen.
Babcock with the conspiracy, there will then be
time for tho latter gentleman to appeal to military
court to pass upon his suilied army reputation.
However. IA court of inquiry recommend the
organization of court-martial which, on the ape
provd Of the President, may dismiss officer II
found guilty. 1t is generally believed here that nc
court of inquiry viii he ordered at present ~