The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-12-15
A STORY OF SHAME,
The Presidents Private Secretary
Connection with the Whisky
Ring,
THE PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENSE

THE EVIDENCE OF HIS COMPLETELY LONG
KNOWN TO THE PRESIDENT HIMsELP-THE
DISCUSSION ON THE COURT OF INQUIRY IN
THE CABINET.
The Washington correspondent of the
New York Herald of Monday says: The
most startling piece of news here tonight is
that the grand jury in st. Louis, on Friday
last, found true bill of Indictment against
Gen. Bsbcock, and that it will probably be
formally returned to the court to morrow.
It has been believed here for some time by
we'll informed persons that this would be
done. 1t Is we'll known, as was telegraphed
to you several days ago, that evidence OF
his communications with the st. Louis
whisky ring was discovered some months
since, so long ago in fact as last July. Shortly
afterwsrd the matter assumed such
q definite shape that all Its de-
tails were laid before the president.
From that time the investigation In the case
has been vigorously followed up by the
prosecutors, and the president has been
made acquainted, In advance, with each
step taken. The delay in the cas- has arisen
from the extreme caution which has been
epjoined by the treasury department. Upon
those who were managing the case in st.
Louis, on account OF Gen. Babcock's init
mate relation TO the president, and the ef
feet which the proceedings against him must
nave pom zen. Grant. IL was t0Oug1JODIy
justice to bestow unusual care upon the in
vestigation, so that no public step should be
taken until it was known, beyond resson-
able doubt, that Gen. Baocock was really
involved in such way as to make 1t neces-
sary, In the interest OF justice, that
HE SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO TRIAL.
1t is the knowledge of tie great care taken
to slit the evidence in his case which gave
such weight to the open announcement of
General Henderson, the chief prosecutor in
st. Louis in tie whisky trials, the other day.
to the effect that the government expec ed
to show that General Babcock WIS
connected with tie ring. General
Babcock, in common with the pres
ident, has known, in general terms, the
nature of the evidence collected against
him, aud he has, therefore, had good OPP
Dortunity to prepare bis defense. The move.
inquiry had much more behind
court on the part OF an officer Jealous OF his
reputation. 1t was decided upon sitter long
and earnest consultation with army friends
and with politicians Of high standing. 1t
was believed that matters could be so
shaped AS to have a military court take TIE
place OF tiial by civil court in st. Louis.
or, &c any rate so as to have IL meet and
pronounce it's opinion in the absence of any
civil tribunal. But, after very full discus
SION ofthis feature of the case In cabinet on
Friday, it was unanimously decided that
under no circumstances would it be decent
or allowable to permit q military court to
take the case out of the
HANDS OF A. CIVIL TRIBUNAL.
1t has come out sine g the decision, through
some OF General Babcock's army friends.
that when the court OF inquiry was de-
manded 1t was confidently expected that
the trial of the case could be transferred
from st. Louis to this tribunal. 1t was be-
lieved that the prosecutors at st. Louis
would willingly give way, or, at least, vir-
tusly permit q transfer TO take place by re-.
THIS view of dealing with the subject being
presented In cabinet IL Is understood that
Secretary Bristow protested at once and
presented such forcibie reasons that
all present we're constrained to adj
init that he was right aud IL was de-
cided that instructions should he forwarded
TO District Attorney Dyer that under no
circumstances was he to be delayed or re-
s.ricted by the appointment or the action of
the military tribunal to be appointed. These
Instructions were sent him yesterday. Chi
cago was fixed upon as the place of court,
because il would allow its pI esident (Sheri-
dam to be near his headquarters, and 1t was
also sufficiently near st. Louis to enable it
to obtain with. ssss readily. 1t WIS also
deemed fairest to General Babcock to Rave
his case heard at dist ance from the excite
ment aud clamor which are known to exist
i'm St. Louis. The court has the same power
10 summon witnesses as a court martial,
and its
PROCESS FOR sUMMoNING WITNESSES.
runs through the United States. General
Babcock's military friends say that the
president, at a recent cabinet meeting. prob
ably on Friday, suggested tia; the proceed
ings before the civil court should give way