Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-05-19
THE PRESIDENT AND SECRE-
TARY BRISTOW.

Almost without an exception our
exchanges accord to the President and
Secretary Bristow the highest praise
for the skill and determination dis
played by them in the exposure of
the gigantic whisky fraud, the great
est, next to that Of Boss Tweed,
which has disgraced the American
continent. The New York Tribune
closes an editorial notice with this
paragraph:
No reference to this remarkable develop
ment would be complete which did not ex-
press the most cordial recognition of Secre-
tary Bristow's admirable work, and of the
exceptionally hearty manner in which the
President has supported him.
Mr.. Fishback, editor and proprie-
tor of the st. Louis Democrat. to
whom a large amount of credit is due
for this gratifying exposure, says in
his paper of Tuesday morning:
Secretary Bristow is man who, when
he talks of reform, means business. His
investigations, some Of the results of which
are given elsewhere, have been conducted
with mastery skill and secrecy, and with
a thoroughness and accuracy that leave no
| loop-hole for escape. But while giving the
utmost credit to him for his fidelity to the
public interest, and the ability with which
he has broken through the intrenchments
of this ring, apparently so impregnable,
/ not less honor should be awarded to the
/ President himself, who has not only sus-
tanned the Secretary to the fullest extent
but from the first has urged him to go to
the very bottom of the business and expose
it, no matter how many or what persons,
high or low, might be found implicated.
But for the absolute sincerity aud uD wav-
ering determination Of the President to sup
port the Secretary in every step necessary
TO expose and break up these frauds, in all
their ramiications and connections, success
would, OF course, have been impossible.
Nor will any one now need to be told that
the sudden removal Of the Commissioner o.
Internal Revenue Mr. Douglass, and the
appointment Of successor, were not en-,
tircly unconnected with these disclosures
and demonstrate the esrnestness Of the
President to make thorough work in thi.
reform.
lie adds to the above:
Enough facts are given elsewhere t,
stsrrle the whole country, but every alten,
tive reader Will infer that much more will
soon be known Of this gigantic ring, it
managers, tools ai1ers and sbe,tors. Among
them will be found citizens well known
and hitherto not suspected oferime, ofiiciall
who have claimed and have been usually
awarded high credit for seeming fidelity
and public men whose connection with thes,
frauds when reyesled, n It presently mus
be- will amaze the country. When the po
litical influence which these participants il
crime have exerted shall also be noLed, pub,
lie o. Mon Will realize that n..---g tbe mos
powerful agencies in the Generalization
dishouor and defeat Of the Republican par
ty in several States has been the whisky
ring, with its headquarters at 81. Louis
"banks 10 the President and Secretary
/. L ,istow, it will henceforth demoralize, dis
h nor and defeat the party no longer.
We trust and believe that no leni
ence whatever will be shown the per
jured scoundrels who under the cloal
Of official position have assisted il
defrauding the government. Thu
principals in the ring, those who fur