The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-11-18
.ssMisfellanronS
THE WHISKY RING,

rogues who long fourished with impuni-
ty, and were protected by official power
while notoriously engaged in the Gov
eminent, appear to be coming to grief
very, unexpectedly. James s. Negley,
who represented Pittsbgrgh in Congress
for six years, and r.. r. Butler, who rep
resented the First District Of Tennessee
for eight years, have been indicted at
Washington for conspiracy in passing
fraudulent claims through the Treasury.
Negley and Butler were among the
most violent and offensive partisans on
the Republican side. They always sup
ported the EXTREMIST measures, and
could be counted upon with certainty
for any scheme or policy which the
President desired or was known to favor.
This subseryiency was capitalized in the
departments and made source Of large
peCuniary profit.
-Four years ago Butler was indicted for
forging powers Of attorney from widows
in Tennessee, through which he received
large sums of moneys due for their pen
sions. Although the proof Of his guilt
was crushing, Fisher, then District Attor-
ney, contrived to let him escape conyic-
tion by first trying one Of several cases
in,which little effort had been made to
procure testimony, and then dismissing
the others in which it was complete. Be-
ing thus "vindicatedn ? Butler took
prominent place inthe party, and in the
last Congress Mr., Blaine made him
Chairman of the Committee on the Mi
litia, placed him third on Indian Affairs,
and made him a member of the select
Committee on the Centennial Celebra.
ton. 'l~ ,N
The cases in which Butler and Negley
now figure, were claims for supplies al
legged to have been furnished to the army
during the rebellion. They were fabri-
Gated outright, and the least investiga-
ton on the part of the accounting Ofh-
GERS must have discovered such barefaCed
and daring frauds. But these members
of Congress we're powerful enough to
overcome all the usages of the depart,
ment, and in one case to have rushed it
through in a single day long after Office
hours, through the direct conniyance of
the Treasury officials.
Since the conviction Of Joyce at st.
Louis, the, Whisky Ring seems to be
wholly demoralized. Indicted officials
who had put a bold face on the matter,
and were until very recently quite def
ant in their assurance, have suddenly
abandoned their pleas of mot guilty"
confessed their crimes and turned States
evidence. Great CONSERVATION was pro-
duced at Washington by the confession
Of Fitzroy, formerly deputy collector OF
Internal Revenue at st. Louis and
Treasurer Of the Ring.
Fitzroy made all the disbursements
for securing influence, and knows every
person who was employed and the
amount of money he received. 1t is GER
tain that he kept record Of the pay
fnents the names, and the names, for his
own protection in case of accidental dis
coyery. Finding that he and few 9TH
ers were likely to be made scapegoats
and punished, though no more guilty
than confederates at the capital who de-
rnanded share of the spoils and held
high places, he determined to pull down
the pillars of the Ring, and make all the
benefciaries suffer in common ruin.
This purpose was perhaps intensified
because the partners at Washington, in
stead of keeping their agreement, after
the first explosion of public wrath at the
discovery of the frauds, had striven to
shield themselves by denOuncing their
associates at st. Louis and affecting to
urge their prosecution. The facts N pos
session of Fitzroy must lead to terrible
exposures, and his appearance before the
Grand Jury doubtless caused the report a
few days ago that Measurer Babcock and
Orvil Grant had also been indicted
While the rumor of these indictments
is not yet verified, the public is ready to
accept the charges as true. 1t is nctorl-
GUS and capable Of proof that Babcock
has grown rich in office without having
had any ostensible means but his pay as
acolonel of engineers. His name is pub.
licly associated with the Washington
Ring, the Postal Ring, the Indian Ring,
the Whisky Ring, and jobery Of all
forms, His certificates to fraudulent
measurements for Shepherd, Evans, and
that crew, are of record: His sudden
wealth is visible. How it was acquired
in five years is no secret. ha'gLn 9!
1.-THE. Presidents brother has tratficked
openly and wherever chance offered
upon his connection and influence. In
Chicago, in st. Louis, on the Indian from
tier, at Washington, and in this city, he
has made his brotherhood a matter OF
merchandise without Concealment. II a
front door or q back door or a window
was open or could be forced by which he
might enter into the Whisky Ring, it
may be safely assumed 0rvil Grant got
in and exacted an interest in that enter
prise which could afford TO pay half
million week in Addition, Division,
and Silence, and get rich besides. u
Personally, the President himself was
tie prop of the Whisky Ring. When !
Mr.. Bristow made his first move against |
that powerful combination last winter, by |
anlorder suddenly changing the Super
yisors of Internal Revenue so as to break |
the connection with Washington, Nc |
Donald, the Supervisor at 81. Louis, now |
under indictment, went to the capital in !
style with fine team OF fast horses, es- !
tablished himself in favor at the White
House, and was able to procure a revoca-
ton Of Mr.. Bristow's administrative or
der without the least delay. The Presi-
dent did not deign to consult the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, and the first Bris-
tow knew of this insulting reversal OF
his well considered act, was the written
command of the President not to exc
cute 1t. .95tln.
The Whisky Ring furnished a large
part Of the money for maintaining the
Republican organization in the West and
South, subsidized the chief organs OF the
party thereof and was political power.
Senators, Representatives, and high func-
tionaries were on its pension list, and it
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