New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-20
ny TELEGRAPH TO TIE rnrBuSE.l

revelations of specially startling nature. Inc
principal witness was Joseph Gross. His testimony
was as follows:
Twas bookieeper at Busby's distfllery in 1874 it
made crooked whisky from April 10 July we made 800
barrels used stamps long as they would wear our
sni times 500 1869 $3.50 81 .297, and s2,s15 was
rom as5e5 mat me RSS could not he well
formed with me IN the place am not unNer huic'nen'
and not employed IN the Post-Once.
John McFa testified:
twas United states Gauger about year, and en-
poyed at several dstlleres had talks with ESerest
made Il M in sealed packages was instructed by Joyce
let Urci run crooked the gaugers ana s9rekepeTs
hf supposed the money raised for political pur
poses did know who in the Ring until after
The raids made last Spring
Ia order 10 ascertain how many were present, the
list of witnesses for the defense now called 1t
was composed of the following names Daniel Il.
TAYLOR, w. w. Sanford Geo. II. Ray, John Fitz-
gerald ]. a. Scudder, Dan Able, Gen. w. 1. sher-
man, Jos. Brown, Geo. Cation, Frank Egger, f. j.
Brandell. j. NJ Mason, John p. Kaiser, VIM II.
Stone Garrett J. Vanwagoner, WIN. Patrick Con.
Mcguire c. A. Neweomb, VIM. Mckee, W. o. Avery.
Gen Sherman, who has been very regular IN his
attendance since the opening of the case, was the
only one of the witnesses who responded The de-
Tense without preliminary remarks, opened by call
ing the General TO the stand The General testified
that he had known Mcdonald since 1861, and that
his reputation, so far as his knowledge went, was
good On cross-examnatiOn he stated that he had
resided AT Washington for four or five years, imme-
dately following the war, and had seen very little
OF the defendant.
The witness was followed by c. c. Rainwater,
member of the Board of Police Commissioners; the
Hon. w. H. Stone member of Congress from tins
city: Capt John A. Scadder, President of the
Memphis Packet Company Capt. Dan Able, capt
Isaac Jones' and other prominent citizens each of
-. 4 & n~1rf nhaT n
years They each testified that his reputation had
been good. On croSs-examination, however, these
witnesses stated that McDonald's character had not
been discussed in their presence until his indictment
by the Grand Jury. The defense then offered
number of documents in evidence. Among Others
were the indictments against Megrue for bribery OF
certain gauger and against Fitzrcy for official mis-
demeanors and for perjury; also indictments against
Encel, Kee Bevis, and Frazer, all of whom had
appeared as witnesses behalf of the prosecution.
Henry C..Rogers of Washington was then intro
duced Rogers is Deputy Commissioner OF Internal
Revenue, and testified that he had never had any
understanding with Mcdonald for any illegtimate
purpose, but had written him letters Of special
nature. On cross-examinatiOn, however, point OF
more importance to the prosecution was made. II
was adduced from the witness that Mcdonald and
joyce frequently requested that when revenue
agents were sent 10 ST. Louis they be sent TO confer
with the local revenue officers and that they be not
put 10 work in a secret manner playing the part OF
spies. Said he
Inls74 l had just completed the organization OF
secret raid ON Louis dlstleTies hen Mcdonald came
into INV room one evening; he remarked Brooks and
Hague starting for St Louis now protest agains,
notification being " Brooks and Hague were really
about 10 start of course stopped them because me
investigation have been made strictly In secret
and IL waa evident that development hnd been maze
uctobeT Election in OHIO hut Hague urged that it be
postponed until after the elections; and was NOT Iu!
competed until the list of November; don't know how
McDonald was enabled 10 anticipate the departure OF
Brooks and Hague from Washington
The facts elected from this witness were evidently
unlocked for by the defence, and created quite a
breeze in the court room.
SOME OF THE ALLEGED CONSPIRATORS.
HpoSALD. MaGUIRE AND M'KEE-THE SERVANTS OF
THB KING-sOcIAL AND POLITICAL ASPECTS OF
THE CONSPIRACY.
70 the Edftor Of The Tr!buHe.
SIR: The trial has begun at last. OF course
mean the whisky trial. for other legal proceeding for
.ome years has excited much interest IN this city as
the prosecution of Mcdonald, Mckee, Mcguire Avery,
Joyce. and other alleged participants in the whisky
frauds IL was expected that the trial OF Avery would
be reached first His position as former chiei clerk OF
the Treasury used IL is claimed 10 warn the rlng OF pro
ceedngs against &C. caused his 10 attract more atten
ton elsewhere than it really deserved il the testimony
WAS only that Of subordinate paid from 500 TO $500
per week for sending prompt information The profits OF
The eaders Of the ring from 81 goo 20 $1,000 each
ner week and they necessarily coeDnan OF every
important step nearous business Hence the post
OF the Avery until after the chiefs in
the conspiracy have been tried seems altogether rea-
sonable
Gen. John Mcdonald formerly Supervisor Of Internal
Revenue and William Mckee, proprietor OF the Adj
mnistraOn organ originally me dfo'e, ana no" nc
GLobe- Democrat alleged to have been the ehiei
managers Of the conspiracy. The trial Of Mcdonald
hogan to-day. All OF rumOrs have been current
about it, 1t was said that the President would not suffer
one who had been ointimate friend 70 be brought 10
trial II WA sad that Mcdonald had offered TO make
clean breast Of IT, but had been refused the mercy eX
tended 10 some Others. Wild stories were circulated
abont the evidence 20 lie produced. But the day of
rumOrs over, aud the TRIAL in open court mas begu
Judge John NJ Krun, and Judge Chester H. krUIn' his
son defend the acoused Col Dyer, the DstricAttOney
IL aided by Senator Henderson and his partner, MI
Shields and by assistants PediTiek and Biss To-Day
The case for the prosecution stated by Nr Pedd1ek
very strongly; II expected that the first witness to
morrow will "COn" Megrue, whose testimony III regard
10 the Organization OF the ring In 1871 oauso the indict
nent OF the managers You will receive report OF the
evidence by telegraph bnt some account OF the chief
aetors In droma and OF the history and surroundings
Of the conspiracy may help make the proceedings more
lutelhgble and interesting
John Mcdonald is o comparatively small ana slender
but muscular and vigorous man. of light hair and com
p,e1ion sandy mustaehe and bright quick eyes prompt
and decided IN movement and full Of nervous excab
iy Twenty years ago. they he was not an easy man
to handle rough aud tumble fights On tho eVee AFTER
the war, prior 10 his appointment he was principally
noted as very bold and successful player of bluff"
Ills intimacy with Grant during the war, when be wac