The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-05
DISMISSAL OF HENDERSON.
THE ONLY ExPLANATION MADE ny
THE dTTORNEY-G ENERAL
Taking Exceptions to Henderron's speaking
oftho President as "Grant"- Con hdentiai
Correspondcnce with Drisiow and WiIaon.


Taking Exception. to Hender-on's speaking
oftho President Ms "Grant"- Con n6dentiai
Correspondence with Dristow and Wilson.
WASHINGTON, April 4.-Ex- Senator Hem
derson was examined this afternoon by the spe-
cIal committee on the so.called whisKey frauds
In Missouri. The inquiry was chiefly directed to
MIR. Henderson's dismissal by the Attorney-Gen-
eral, shortly after the conviction Of W. o. Avery
and the Indictment OF @ en-. Baboock. Mr.. Hen
derson appeared to be rather an unwilling wit
meas. He did not want to express any opinions
as to the conduct or motives Of any persons In
Washington. but insisted on his examination
being strictly confined to facts within bis per-
sonal knowledge For instance, when be was
asked what he thought were the motives that
induced the President and the Attorney G eneral
TO dismiss him, he replied that he did not know,
and didn't want to give any opinion on the
subject. The Chairman then asked him N
no knew why he was dismissed, and he replied
that he did not. He visited Washington about
the middle OF January on his way to New York,
and while here he received very polite note
from the Attorney g General asking him to come
TO his once the next morning at 10 o'clock. He
answered that he would be there at half past
ten, aud agreeable to this arrangement he met
Mr.. Pierrepont He was very cordially re-
ceived. aud after few moments conversation
the Attorney General referred in jOcular way
to his dismissal and said
81 want to read just one sentence from your
speech, Gen. Henderson," " For Gods sake,
don't inhict that upon me. Mr.. Attorney
General'p ! renlied that Is past and gone
own speech read. Inever read my own speecnes,
and don't want TO hear them read" and some
thing else In the same jOcular vein was probably
ssid. But the Attorney & eneral insisted, and
taking up the sworn extract from my speech IN
made, he read the sentence when said: what
right had Grant TO Interfere and overrule the
Commissioner OF lLternal Revenue and the Sec
retary Of tn" treasury In regard to the order
transferring revenue of1cers2
When tho Attorney G. eneral read what right
| had Grant interrupted him with the ques-
tion, " ell, what right had he2" To this the
| Attorney General reriied, No right at all.
with you IN 50 far as the mere question on the
| Presidents action In that matter Is concerned,
but that Is not the question here. Had YOU dis
| taken no exception to it," " Well do not un-
derstand your point" | said. Whereupon the
axsHs apon .sTSasoa SAW %fu'sf s.
point then and Laughing said; Then
you spenESs tE Of 'hSsPSn iSe Tspsd
the Attorney General, that Il IT," "wen."
said |, 1--WE Western people have u very direct
| way Of speaking, you know, anu we use the Iew-
est possible words. We ere not so urbane ~
our speech as you Eastern gentlemen are. II
| had said, What right had HIS Excellency,' OF
something Ike tnat: 1t would nave been ali
| right, suppose" "You should Ave said" re-
| Piled the Attorney G. General, 80 what right had
the President to DO 50 and so2 Had you done
II In this way, We could not have complained
THIS was the only exclamation that ever had
| vouchsafed me for my dismissal.
Mr.. Henderson admitted that he was all the
way through suspicious OF the President and the
Attorney General. The only persons here that
he had any confidence in were Bristow ant
Buford Wilson. lie was IN constant communt
cation with them. In regard to this correspond
ence, Henderson was not examined to-day. bu
| VIII be tomorrow. He. however, said to day
that all the letters which passed between hin
Conhdential" and ended with Burn wher
| read" III" said Mr.. Henderson, this CORE
| spondence was printed now 1t would cause
| commotion. have no objection" he continued
| "to tell you that in substance IL showed tna
| both Bristow and Wilson lacked confidence II
| the President ana the rest Of the Cabinet. The
| did not feel that they were properly supported
| In thus war lpon corruption, and in TINS agreed
| with them