National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-23
TIE EREEcH HORSE THIEVES.
Cards, Letters and Explanations.


On Friday last an item was published in THE
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN relative TO the arrest
and imprisonment Of two Frenchmen for horse
stealing, In which their story Of assumed wrongs
was given. Subsequent developments have
clearly Droven that the statement published was
incorrect, and that they were guilty Of the crime
for which they were held, and their Incarceration
awaiting the action Of the grand jury was a
matter which could not be avoided. Like all
other articles which reflect upon officials IL Gre
ated considerable unkind comment among those
most Interested, and eliminated yesterday in the
publication in the Star Of the following letters:
CHAMBEUN TO FISHER.
WASHINGTON. March 81, 1875.
NV BEAR JUDGE: The Capital of this morn
ton wss called YESTERDAY evening Contains Sross
misrepresentation Of the facts relating to the
two Frenchmen, about whom you were kind
OF course, you will see that have not had any
thing TO do with any publication OF this sort and
t nad spoken 70 reporters, would have stated
act Of great kindness on your part TO save me the
trouble and expenses attending the investigation
OF the facts needed for the defence OF those men,
and of course there was a primG fGcle case
against them. viewed your action solely 10 the
light of benevOlence towards helpless strangers,
and of courtesy towards me. Therefore, amL
exceedingly sorry that people have gossPed about
Il case the Features OF which are completely
unknown 10 them.l or course, If you deem 1t to
be of the least Importance to YOURSELF or 70 the
Office at the head Of which you are placed, TO
make statement to the press, authorize you
to make use OF this note and should you prefer it,
would state the facts just as they are to the
editor Of any paper you name.
am, very respectfully, yours,
To the Hon. Geo p. Fisher.
FISHER TO MDEvITr.
OFFICE OF U. s. ATTORNEY FOR TRE)
wAsu1SGroH' b. e., MS lar ~ q. h fs45.
DEAR SIR: herewith enclose a copy OF a letter
received by me this afternoon from the Marquis
de ClambruQ. As the officer wi
brCught the two Frenchmen mentioned in IL from
the state of Maryland into this District, for
doing which you have been censured 10 TIE
REPUBLICAN, Of Friday last, give you this copy
oil the Marquis letter, to satisfy you of what
incapable OF lending his sanction in any way TO
such miserable newspaper gossip.
Ii you desire, you may publish the letter of the
marked, which relates TO myself alone. and is
more complimentary than l deserve. That do
not wish published as 1 make it rule never to
reply TO any reflections cast upon me in news
paper articles. i should omit that portion of the
Marquis letter in the copy give you, only that
desire you 10 know how he feels upon the SUD-
Yours, truly, GEO P. FISHER.
james 4. AcDech, TaShiRgtoR, d. Z.
AN EXPLANATION.
As far as the item is concerned, It reached the
reporter of TEE REPUBLICAN, from gentleman
who had shown as much interest ia the case as
did the Marquis. and who had doubtless been de-
ceived by the men with their pitiiul story of
wrongs Before the publication was made Mr..
NcDeyitt, the officer 10 question, was called on,
but declined to make known the facts TO the re-
porter. AS far. therefore, as he is concerned the
reflections On him are due entirely to his own
fault.
As for District Attorney Fisher, when it be-
came known that he also felt aggrieEed a reporter
called upon him for copy of the letter, as pub
lished above, but which was ungraelously de-
clined in order, perhaps, that he might have an
opportunity Of writing the McDevitt letter and
getting in bis fling about ''such miserable news
paper gossip" which Of course he makes 1t a rule
never TO reply to. 1t is, however, very apparent
that this choice letter written for publication
as much for the benefit OF the District attorney
as for the defence Of the detective. Mr.. Fisher
may be right when he says, ~ make It a rule
never to reply to any reflections cast upon me in
newspaper articles" but If his memory is good
he cannot fail to recOllect that q former Occa-
sion when some criticism OF his official conduct
appeared in this journal he took good care to call
upon the editor and urge that they be not re-
peated, he then claiming immunity on the Rrouud
Of his party afliation, as he does to-day. He and
the officer are. however, given the benefit of the
letter OF the Marquis; and here, as far as The
REPUBLICAN is concerned, the matter rests