The New York herald., 1875-12-20
GENERAL M'DoSALD's STATEMENT.


Globe Democrat reporter, impressed with the be-
lief that the time had come when General Nc
Donald could speak out visited him yesterday for the
purpose of interviewing him upon certain subjects in
which the public very much interested. The Gen.
eral found, surrounded by number OF friends,
who had called either sympathze with him or to en-
hven his prison life by social intercourse.
When his friends had departed General Mcdonald was
found be quite willing impart such information
desired.
The conversation turned upon the general merits Of
the whiakey prosecutions, and he said
AZ have heard good deal about General Grants say
ing Let guilty escape The saying is Bris-
tow's, and it was suggested by him to Grant The
tended to be practically enforced II is matter OF
special that Joyce and myself the only per-
who have been thus far deprived of their liberty
though many others are coni-ssedly MS guilty as We
adjudged to be. Avery sSas found guilty, but is
out on his bond. A large number of dis
ters rectifers and subordinate officials at
liberty though their pleas OF guilty are recorded
court cite these facts merely show that at least
little distinction is being made in the prosecution OF
those charged with revenue Frauds
General, what about the reported interview between
you ana Mr.. Bristow, as published In this mornings
Republican"' "'
at is lie from beginning to end 1t is pure fabr
cation, made Of whole cloth, and printed for the pur
pose Of lnjuring certain parties whom name. 1t
Is covert attack President Grant as well as in
famous assault me. The part relating 10 the sale
purchase of the Democrat by The Globe is intended
s.Did you ever call Bristow with the avowed pur-
pose Of making compromise with him?''
mo, sir; the whole thing is fabrication; never
made an admission TO Mr.. Bristow that savored of
guilt
.Dd you ever try to induce the President to dismiss
Bristowfn
THAT too Is a lie; never said a word to the Pres
ident about the removal of Brstow; presumed there
Ring subject, and never asked his discharge though
l said to the President that Bristow had his political
ends TO attain. "
..Are you willing tell what you did say to the Pres
ident and TO Brstowy"
TINE TO SPEAK.
ssThese are matters about which | have heretofore
kept SILENT but have been subjected to much
and misrepresentation in connection Herewith that
have concluded to make statement OF the facts. I'm
derstand however that my statement to you is only
part OF what l KNOW ana may some day tell some
things decidedly more startling than anything
heretofore published My visit TO Washington and
ference with Bristow and Grant follows:-
Here the General produced diary TO prove the datcs
left ST. Louis Monday, the 18th day OF April, and
arrived in Washington the 2lst he'd discovered that
certain investigations being made In 81 Louis
and that efforts being made TO conceal them from
me as well as from my superior officers In the Revenue
Department and went to Washington for the purpose
Of making my protest and TO find out why was ignored
in the examinations. saw Commissioner Douglass at
noon arrived on the 2lst. When entered his pri-
Office ne was alone though Yaryan, the revenue
agent came and sat down alterward. / said to him
substantially
Mr. Douglass are you aware that an investigation is
being conducted into certain alleged frauds in the dis
tillerles at ST. Louisr"
He at once replied that It mistake. assured
him that Investigations being made and that the
clerks in my Office being used for the purpose OF
copying transcripts and preparing other statistics to
show that frauds were being committed here. When
Douglass satisfied that was in earnest he became
excited and jumping up IRON his chair went hurriedy
out of the room saying he would return shortly. He
was much agitated the information / gave HIM,
and he went to demand of Brstow why he lad not
been apprised Of pending investigations | remained
in the office with Yaryan. In about half hour
Commissioner Douglass returned, looking calm
and unexcted. l asked him what he had learned from
Secretary Bristow. He replied that he not then
liberty relate what Bristow communicated him,
but that everything was satisfactory, Ii evident
10 me that Brstow had ''soft soaped him with some
plausible story which soohed his wounded official
dignity. thenleit Douglass Office.
At that time General Grant and General Babcock
absent down in Maine. ] was stopping at the
Arlington Hotel, the same house at which Bristow
boarded. got up early on the morning OF the 22d,
and while waiting in the hotel breakfast room met
BrIstow. Bristow shock me by the hand very cordi.
..General have you had breakfasty''
replied that had not breakasred.
.Then come to my table and join me" he re-
Piled | thanked him very cordially and stated that
might be ntrudng on his family He responded that
his family out OF town and that he alone. /
then with him and sat down at his table. He said
TO me-
General how are revenue matters in your districtgn
replied that presumed he knew about as much as
did as reliably informed he had secret
res work in my district who were hunting up
general conversation ensucd between us, In which
he assured me that disrcspect intended the
revenue officers in my district and that the he
had adopted necessary for the good Of the service
| told him in very emphatic terms that regarded the
OF his investigation not only reflection upon
self but upon the entire service that not
even Commissioner Douglass had been apprscd OF his
movements and that thought his conduct in taking
hands unprccedentcd remained three days
In Washington, during which time had
several interviews with Bristow about the nvesliea-
tlons at -. LOUIS ! SAID to Mr. Brlstow that ! had
come Washington with my resignation all prepared
a. did intend 10 submit 10 investigation beng
made over my head. He told the that he was very
sorry had such Of the matter, and endcayorcd
to assure that he did intend TO suspicion
upon upon any Of the officers ~ my district and
had lacts against any Of them. He asked me n
was aware that
FRAUDS o. TnE REVENUE
were being pcrpctrated IN 81. LOUIS. I responded
that ielt certain me government was being cheated
out Of large amount Of revenue BY the dsiers OF 81
Louis but that a. Tar my personal knowledge went
did not Know anything, and that my agents had been
unable 10 una evidences OF fraud. Brstow said THAI
there certainly had been great frauds ~ the discrcs
a. 81 Lonls and that he would be compelled 10 adopt
harsh measures against Them. ! asked him II he IN.
tended - sczc them. hc replied that he could not
avoid scizng al casl some o the dsIilcrcs, from the
fact that hc bad positive evidence against them.
un this occasion told secretary Brstow that mas
much a. he had tie eutirc power ol the government
bchind bIni aud could command ~ many revenue
agents aud detectives ~ be wanted, hs means of IN
formation W rc doubtless superior TO mlnc and that,
perhaps. hs knew cts not mithin my knowledge. !
suggested Secretary BristoW that instead Of seiLing
tie crooked dIstllcrics aud cOnlscatng the small
amount OF proert} that would be found accessible II
would be much more reasonable to nnd by reliable
ngurcs the exact amount Tor winch each dtsttllery
arrears and TO assess the proper
amount them. By adopting tins course,
oncndng distilcrs would be impressed with the mpor.
tnce Of keeping within the bounds Of the Revenue law
aud would dispense WITH the manufacture of the
'crO0kcdN anu tLat violations of the law would very
soon become unknown
GENERAL N'DoyALDs PLAN
Mr. Brsi0w admitted hatmy proposition was most
excellent one and that hc would carefully consider
A he NJ interview had with him he
plan was most excellent aud that he would cary out
IA once He asked me II could not obtain Tor h'm tho
designations ol all The officers ia the ST Louis dstrct
! replied that onId and that II he desired them
would procure them my aud
present them 10 him. | repeatedly assured
Brtstow that under tho circumstances, ! was
determined hama my resignation, aud
lie as repeatedly mportuncd me not 10 doh told