The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-12-07
THE GREAT WHISKY WAR.
Arrangement of John w. Bingham.
He Pleads 'Guilty !" and Says Babcock
is i'm the Ring.

promptly put in an appearance at the united
States District Court. The room was crowded
with lawyers and citizens curious to see MIN
and eager to hear his defense. AS he took
his seat by the side of his attorneys, Messrs
Shackleford and DENLY, Of Evansville, he
looked worried and worn. His eyes were red
and swollen, and the firm mouth and deter
mined face which characterized his appear
ance on the 10th of November had evidently
relaxed their grip He sat like defeated,
detected man, who knew his days Of liberty
were mum bered. As soon as Judge Gresham
announced the court opened tor business,
Binpham's case was called Gen. Sbackletord
Immediately arose, withdrew the plea of
guilty which his client had entered on the
10th, and substituted therefor
THE PLEA OF GUILTY
to an indictment containing all the charges
against him. "The defendant has no de-
tense to make, said the General. : He &C
knowledges his guilt, but in order to relieve
himself, his counsel, and his frie nds from all
suspicion of implicitly with the attempt to
Withdraw and keep him from the jurisdiction
of this court he desires to present the follow
ing affidavit in which the facts are set forth
and in consideration of which he prays that
the forfeiture Of his recognizance may be set
aside" This move WAS unexpected TO
majority of those present and created quite
sen sation.
To the outside world, also, it would be
surprise, more especially so, since the de-
fendant has all along protested his innocence
of the charges against him, and has taken
such active steps in procuring counsel and
witnesses with view of asserting and demon
strating the same. Those who are in posi-
ton to know, however, state that the evidence
of his completely in the whisky frauds is very
strong and conclusive, and that any defense on
his part would be rash nonsense. Mr.. Blng
ham doubtless realized this fact when he was
confronted on this morning by witnesses
whose evidence would convict him
IN SPITE OF THE EFFORTS OF HIS COUNSEL
or friends to make favorable showing in his
defense. When Gen. Shackleford ceased
speaking, the affidavit referred to above was
read.
'In view Of the facts set forth, the defendant
asked to have the forfeiture of his bond set
aside and himself relieved on the same recog
nizance as it stood prior to November 80.
The affidavit concludes with positive de-
NAL of any intent on the defendants part or
that of his counsel to perpetrate fraud upon
the court. The document being read, Dis
trict Prosecutor Browne stated that he be-
lieved Bingham's statements we're true and
hoped the court would answer his prayer.
Judge Gresham
GRANTED HIS REQUEST PROMPTLY,
and fixed Thursday, Dec. =, for his reappear-
ance. Mr.. Bingham then went before the
grand Jury, and, it is believed, has made a
clean breast of it, and told all he knows OF the
ring and those in completely.
The air is full of rumors that his evidence
will secure the Indictment of several promi
nent citizens of Evansville, who up to this
time have not been connected with the ring,
either nv implication or suspicion.
The condition of Mr.. Gordon Bingham, who
is lying i'll at Petoka, is reported to be very
critical, which necessarily delays the DISPOSE
ton of his case. The supposition is that he
will pursue the same course as that of mis-
brother
In an interview with Judge Gresham, on
this afternoon, he stated that none OF the
accused would be sentenced until after the
trial of Deputy Collector Hill, and two or
three others, who have entered the plea OF not
guilty. They are needed as witnesses in these
trials, besides" continued the Judge
Judge Drummond will be here then, and |
can have the benefit of his advice" 1t is the
desire of Judge Gresham to be just and mercl-
full at the same time, and before
SENTENCES ARE PRONOUNCED
the guilt of each man will be thoroughly
known to him.
BABCoCK IN THE RING.
The Journal on tomorrow will publish the
following, In an interview with Agent Leman,
who stands on the inside of the whisky ring,
and is supposed to know whereof he speaks
Mr.. John w. Bingham, in his statement to
the grand Jury on this afternoon, is said to
have implicated persons outside OF the dis
trct, the most prominent of whom is Gen.
o. Z. Babcock. Our reporter was assured by
one, than whom there is probably no one bet
ter informed, that there was not the slightest
doubt of Gen. Babcock' s connection with the
ring Mr.. Bingham said that he (Babcock)
had been indicted before he (Bingham) left
st. Louis ON Wednesday evening. The in
terview states further Mr.. Bingham impli-
Gated several prominent revenue Off cials who
are now out of office but who are now living
in the First District. Chicago Times Dec. 3.
The 1T. Louis Ring.
THE CASE OF BINGHAM.
ST.. LOUIS Dec 2.-Fhe news reached here
on this afternoon that John w. Bingham, who
left st. Louis on last night in charge of
Deputy United States Marshal for Indian
apolis, had pleaded guilty to five indictments
found against him in Indiana for whisky
frauds, and had also gone before the Grand
jury. This is regarded as news of the great
est Importance here. The Binghams, beside
their connection here in the whisky ring, and
their facilities for obtaining information
through Joyce and Mcdonald, also had an
Indiana connection with the Washington De-
partment, through which they are in receipt
of intelligence.
Frequently they were ahead of the St.
Louis ring i'll getting news from Washington,
and would send their information to their
agent here who would report to Joyce and
Mcdonald and it would be acted upon. 1t Is
believed here that Bingham can open up
A PERFECT BONANZA OF CORRUPTION,
embracing some Indiana Radical of high sta
ton, and throw light on the authority by
which the raising OF campaign funds was in
augurated in 1872 by crooked whisky.
Some of the distilerS here claim that they
were shown letter from Senator Morton IN
1872 speaking in behalf of the National Re-
publican Committee, and giving directions in
regard to the raising of contribution from
Missouri. This letter from Morton was
shown them by the revenue officials here, and
the construction put upon the letter by these
officials was, that the National Republican
executive Committee authorized the raising
of the fund at the expense OF the internal
liz, Mt o.