The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-08
The Washington End of the Line.

The juries of st. Louis, Milwaukee, and
Evansville have thus far dealt stcrnly with
the conspirators and thieves of the Whis-
key Ring, and deserve honor for their
fidelity to duty under temptations and
pressure such rs have rarely been witnessed
In criminal trials. With these examples to
encourage, Chicago is not likely to default
IN her part of the work.
But above and beyond all other points,
interest is now concentrated on the trial
OF BABcocK, the Presidents confidential
friend and secretary, who for years has
stood nearest In his trust, who has enjoyed
q familiar intimacy with him known to
no other person, aud who has maintained
footing in his family circle such rs no
one else could expect 10 acquire.
The qualifications of the great conspir-
acy, by which the Treasury was system
stically robbed of millions of dollars every
year. have been traced clearly and posi-
lively through several cities of the West
where whiskey was illicitly manufactured.
The testimony collected by the Govern
ment was overwhelming, but it has been
supplemented by confessions OF distillers
and officials, which reveal the length and
breadth of IA corrupt combination almost
without parallel.
II has been made manifest TO every inn
partial mind that this conspiracy not only
never could have succeeded at all, but
could by no possibility have gained any
Roadway, without the aid OF the most pow
srful influences at Washington. To make
it successful on so large n scale as was
practsed, the Secretary OF the Treasury
and the commissioner of Internal Revenue
must have been in collision with the plum
derers, or power higher than either
must have intcrfered for their protec-
ton. From these alternatives there is no
shance of escape. That the President did
nterpose his authority is matter of
official record, for he revoked the order
changing supervisors and agents. TO which
he had before reluctantly consented. That
he made appointments in the interest of
the Ring nj st. Louis and elsewhere has
been made apparent long ago.
The question comes up naturally, by
what agency was the President induced to
exercise this extraordinary power to in
terrupt the course OF administrative duty,
and 10 favor the McDoNALDs, JoYcEs, and
bther thieves as he had favored Boss SHEP-
HERD COOKE, MULLETr, and their coufed-
srates Of the Washington Rpgi Was he
Interested personally in this plumber, or
was he betrayed by political ambition or
through false friendship
Perhaps these questions may be an
Bwered on BABcoCK's trial, which, II II
means anything at all, means an exposure
OF the Washington branch of the con-
Bpiracy. The trial of AVERY and the at
tempt to faston the responsibility Of this
vast machinery OF fraud on him was n
mere incident He was one Of the small
tools with winch the conspirators worked,
and nothing more. He did what he was
told TO do by his employers commune
Gated whatever knowledge came TO him
officially, and was paid for the treachery
according to its value
BABcocK was the moving and master
spirit of the combination at the capital,
and he was chosen for that peculiar posi-
ton because of his exceptional relations to
the President. He could call Senators and
Representatives to his aid whenever their
influence was needed. His suggestion in
any OF the departments was accepted as an
order from the White House. He had ac-
cess to every means of information, how
ever secret it might be, and he saw every
AcltcI ullu telegram sent 10 tnt PRESIDENT,
whether formal or confidential.
All the testimony given to the public
thus far points conclusively TO the guilt of
BABcoCK, and the disclosures yet to be
made will be more overwhelming and
astounding. II MCKEE is allowed to 20 on
the stand, he will crush BABcoCK TO powder,
and involve others far higher in position
than he. But without his evidence there
will be more than enough to convince the
country that this infamous conspiracy to
rob the Government was abetted at Wash
ington by the sworn guardians OF the
Treasury and the highest In authority.
Since the conviction of MCKEE, who was
probably among the best OF this vile crew,
BABCoCK and his friends have been seized
with CONSERVATION, and look forward with
dread to the ordeal through which he must
pass. Proof OF their consciousness of guilt
ana danger may be found in the denuncia-
ton of the juries that have tried these
cases as "ex-rebels," which would apply
with equal force to those at Milwaukee
and Evansville.
Every effort that power and money and
persuasion can employ, will be cxeri ed TO
save BABcocK, for they feel at Washing
ION lnul hhANI ullu the administration
are on trial. His conviction would carry
dismay to hundreds in public life, who are
carrying their heads high, ana directing
the policy of the Republican party. They
tremble at the prospect, fearing that il
sent to the penitontiary he will pull Others
down TO his own level, and make clean
breast of the corruption and frauds in
which SO many Christian statesmen and
moral leaders have been concerned.
There will be an attempt to raise up side
issues and TO throw dust in the eyes of the
public, by proving that BABcooK may not
have directly asked the appointment OF
MCGUIRE Us Collector at st. Louis after
FoRDs death, either from the President or
from the Secretary of the Treasury. Sup
pose they should both appear on the wit
mess stand, as is not improbable, and tss-