Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-11-09
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Rumors from St. Louis implicate Gen
eral Babcock and 0rvile Grant, the
brother Of the Government, in the whisky
frauds. Well, of course. Who expected
any thing else1 1t was the policy Of the
Government formerly to let the big ras-
Gals alone and send out detectives and
marshals to hunt down the wildcat dis
tillersI in the .back-woods. A man with a
bucket of sour mash and a still as big as
a teapot would be dragged in triumph
forty miles across the country, his prop
erty confscated, his family insulted, his
person abused and every indignity
heaped upon him. In many eases the
offender would have to 60 to Jail and
almost rot there for want Of money and
influential friends. These valorous pro-
ceedings we're always reported to Wash
ington and forwarded over the country
to show the efficiency Of the Govern
ment officers and to impress the public
with the great zeal Of the administration
in ferreting out crime. Williams, the
slippery and incompetent Attorney Gen
eral, became so odious that he had to re-
tire. Pierrepont, a fearless, rich and
honest man, was appointed by Grant as
Williams successor. Bristow became Sec
rotary Of the Treasury. He had no sooner
taken possession than Returned his at
ton to the big distillers, men who have
fattened On swindling and fraud these
many years unmolested. They were
truly loyal, and knew all about addition,
division and silence. Their detection
and conviction has been an uphill bust
ness, for they almost owned some of the
courts, and could place any amount Of
money where it would do the most
good. They we're backed by all
the personal influence of President
Grant, by as many roughs az they
could use TO advantage and all the iDau
ence that money could buy. 1t will be
remembered that six months ago or
more the late Commissioner Douglas
undertook to shift the supervisors of in.
ternal revenue from the St. Louis dis
trict, but Supervisor Mcdonald went to
Washington, saw the President and had
the order revoked over the heads of
Douglas and Bristow. This continued
the whisky ring in power. The last
time Grant was in st. Louis it is said
that he refused to see Mcdonald, having
suddenly grown too sensitive to corrup
tion to endure the sight of q rascal. He
thought of the time last winter no doubt
when he rode with Mcdonald behind a
fine pair of fast horses, and immedi-
ately after revoked Douglas order re.
moving the st. Louis supervisors.
Doubtless it would have hurt his feelings
to see an old friend in such q sad plight
0rville Grant and General Babcoek may
not be found guilty in this instance, but
some very tall game has fallen lately
and we n prepared for almost any
thing. The last sensation is the indict-
ment of Mckee, oReA Of the proprietors
of the Globe-D Democrat. and formerly of
the Globe. The Democrat came out
one GSy with an exposure OF the
whisky frauds. Negotiations we're i'm
mediately opened and the Democrat was
bought for $500. OOO. vhich was about
three times as much as K vas worth
Since then the double'headed i~nst,tqtion
has never had one word to say against
the whisky ring. Mckee and Mcguire
are particular personal friends OF GRATIS.
He has got drunk With them many a time,
and he is a man who never fotgets an old
friend. Secretary BristOw has still a big
work before him and it is certain that be
will do his whole duty. The President
cannot remoye him at this particular
time when he is counting public senti
nent. he would sacrifice even brother
0rville for a third term if that would Sc
cure it. Bsbeock, it is we'll known, is a
member Of the District of Columbia ring
aud has grown quite rich in a few years
rs the Presidents private secretary, al
though drawing only his salary ss major
in the regular army.