The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-02-17

them that the President was hobneooing with
Mcdonald and winkng at the conspiracy. Yet the
President testines that he riding day when
he Mcdonald standing on the sidewalk and asked
ever sad relative TO St Louis Affairs IL such
little incidents this which have placed the President
under suspicion and which have occasioned the daily
avalanche OF newspaper scurrity which is directed at
the President The testimony OF Everest shows an
other trick OF Joyce's. He did not place the letter
privately in the Post once, as natural
TO criminal act but he got 81, 600 paraded two en-
veopes addressed to BAbcock and Avery pretended TO
put money IN each and sent them by Everest to the
mail This was only a damnabe trick OF a desperate
villain TO convince the dstillers, through Everest OF
would be proved to the satisfaction OF the jury before
the case was closed. The whole case shows ana WIZ
soon show far more plainly that an attempt was maoe 70
sacrifice Ba6oock IN order to serve the fraudulent Pu'
poses Of Mcdonald and Joyce
TIE GRIMES CORRESPONDENCE.
Much stress had been placed on the fact that BAD
Major Grimes but let this be explained IL was at that
time charged that all the government officials here
were in the Ring ana at Washington II was thought
that the dsticrs working revenge upon the gov
eminent authorities by making indiscriminate charges
Mr. Babcock warm friend Of Mr.. Mcdonald and
believed him innocent The newspapers had al
ready printed the names OF many persons
about the country and attached TO trivial
circumstances guilty meaning Mr. Babcock very
naturally shrunk from allowing the fact OF his cor
respondence with Mr., Mcdonald to become known,
knowing that II would be interpreted evidence or
guilt The contents OF those letters had not been
shown and they could not be proved to be Of guilty
import II will be shown, furthermore, that this man
Hoge In the Ring giving information as early as
May 1874 that while enjoying the confidence of the
defendant he receiving brides from the Ring
Mr. Babcock had means OF obtaining information
from the department; but Mr. Hoge had and he prob
ably sent the information Evidence Will be adduced
to show that Mr. Babcock had no part in inducing
President revoke the order transferring super
ysors and revenue agents but ny the rresiaents
ordered the presence and through the representa-
tions and influence OF Supervisor Fulton.
General Williams closed with quite a brilliant perora
ton, in which he asked justice OF the jury, not
mercy, and trusted their verdict would be TIL
umphant acquitta.
BADcocK's CHARACTER.
General A. A. Humphreys, Chief OF the Engineer
Corps, United States Army was put on the stand and
testified to having known General Babcock since 1862
has of late years had charge OF the Department OF Pub
lie Buildings and the superintendent of the aqueduc
at Washington; with the exception of the Capitol
grounds and the Treasury Department he had charge
OF all the public buildings and grounds he has per-
a Disturbing officer, handling 100000 annually; his
standing in the army is that OF officer of integrity
standing in Washington is Of like character
David W. Mahon, First Officer OF the Treasury OF the
United States was next examined, and testified to
having known the defendant four years and TO having
audited Superintendent Of Public Build
ings &C his total disbursements 81 200 900; his
accounts had all been settled; he had not been bonded
officer during the time have known him; his stand
ing, general reputation, &c, far as have heard
from the opinions'of those in Washington, have been
good.
James G. Berrett ex-Mayor and ex Postmaster of
Washington, testified have known General Babcock
six years socially and from observation as
any gentlemen would know each other in city OF that
kind General Babcock's character and standing have
been good; his administration OF the office which he
has held has given general satisfaction; his integrity
is unquestioned.
General N p Banks member of Congress from Mas
sachusetts, testi1ed:-I have known the defendant
since 1861 he my staff in the early part OF the
war; have since known HIM at Washington; his gen.
eral reputation for integrity capacity and fidelity has
been very good; know much Of the duties OF secre-
ary to the Executive and have had frequent inter-
course with General Babcock as such secretary his
OF discharging his duties always prompt,
intelligent and upright leaving a strongly favorable
impression on me.
THE ORDER TRANSFER
Allen p. Tuition then took the stand and teshed:-l
Supervisor of Internal Revenue OF the States OF
Pennsylvania New Jersey, Delaware Maryland and the
District OF Columbia; have been Supervisor since
1868; am, l think the Oldest Supervisor in the
country remember an order transferring the super
vlsors in January, 1876 such order made, and
under it TO be transferred from Philadelphia TO
ST. Louis and ordered to report here ON February l5
/ visited Washington in February in regard TO this
order and reached there the I'd day Of the month";
the Sd saw Commissioner Douglass, and my object
Mr.. Brodnead-I object. to the conversation with
Douglass any one else.
discussion followed, after which the witness con-
called on Douglass on February in relation to this
ORDER next called on Secretary Bristow at the Airing
The same objection was again made and, after an
other discussion the Court said:-lf this converse
ton with the Secretary repeated TO the President
IL may be admitted. F"
witness proceeded:-I had conversation with the
Secretary he directed call the President and
state what had said to HIM; It was about eleven
O'Clock A. NJ. l called at at the Executive Man
sion and the Presidents said had been ordered
by the Secretary report for duty at ST. Louis and it
would be very announcement for me to go, and impos
siblc il the transfer was to continue for any
length OF time l had property and personal
matters to look after at home and would not move
my family to ST. Louis, and would not come without
them and that il this order enforced II would be
necessary for resign the President said he was
sorry that 1t Inconvenience me, but II was thought
that great deal OF fraud was being committed in ST.
Louis and Chicago and this order made to detect
these Frauds that while lac did not think The officers Of
these places involved he did think the frauds
were beng committed, and that change OF
officers necessary in order TO suppress these
frauds; that there had been considerable political
influence brought to bear him to induce him to
woke the order but he thought 1t necessary to carry
ont prevent these frauds he thought the officers of
the district had got 10 doing things in routine way
aud the disters knew their time OF dong things and
advantage Of that to commit frauds; that new
officers there they would change this old rut
the frauds; SAID, at is a
personal matter with me- and l
resign you have score of TO put in my place who
have views you have time to listen to them " he said
he had, and endeavored TO repeat what had said TO
the Secretary; told him that, judging by my expert
ence this change could not be productive of good TO
any extent; that notice had been given
and the parties interested, officers as well
dstillers had several weeks notice, and whatever
frauds there would be covered up and all evil
dence concealed by the time the new officers could get
TO the places everything would be running straight
and good could be accomplished as far detecting
frauds that already committed; that might pre-
vent frauds in the future, but could not discover those
already committed; stated better and certain way
OF getting at the frauds was to send some good man
or men who were reliable and who had good knowl-
OF what could be done at these points, secretly
and such would be able to detect these people
In the act OF fraud. In this way the proof could be
gathered for seizure; then II they had not con-
hdence in the local officers they might
transfer supervisors 10 those places
TO make the seizures and push tho punishment and
forfeitures said II this order revoked 1t would
throw the dstillers OF their guard again, and the OPP
portunlty would be good one to send on detectives
secretly. told MIN had said TO the Secretary OF the
N..eT knlA vnA NJ he ha AnA
man. and that If he could be out there without par
knowing he going he would be able 10 get A. the
bottom OF the frauds The President said the more
information be received the better no satisfied this
order would accomplish the purpose intended, and
he said that he would suspend the order that day;
this was done that day, the Sd Of February, think
l went away the next day to Baltimore, where had
good deal OF business.
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