The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-15
PRICE TWO CENTS.
CHICAG0'S WIIlSKEY RING.
DIsTILLERs MAKING TERMS WITn
THE GOVERNM ENT.
Thirteen Of them Allowed TO Plead Guiity 20
the Charge Of Conspiracy-Tho Iufereuos
that they will Uncover Bigger Gamo.

Thirteen Of them Allowed TO Plead Gaiity -
the Charge Of Conspiracy-Tho Iufereuos
that they will Uncover Bigger Gnme.
CHICAGO, Jan. H.-Thrteen OF the dstil-
lers who were indicted at the December term ~
tho United States District Court, to-day entered
pleas Of guilty to the first count IN the indict-
ments against them, which charges conspiracy
to defrdud the Government. II Is admitted by
the District Attorney that nOtlc prOscpd will DO
entered as to the other counts, which charge
them with various offences under the Internal
Revenue law. The conspiracy count Is not
drawn under tho Internal Revenue law at all.
but under general statute, which
makes II criminal offence to conspire
to defraud the Government in any
way. Tho punishment is fine OF nos
more than $4,000, and imprisonment OF not
more than one year. The discretion Of the Court
under this law II very great, and the abandon
ment OF the other courts Of tho Indictments
makes 1t quite plain that the distillers who have
ogreed to turn States evidence have obtained
very favorable terms from the Government. IL
they were guilty of conspiracy to defraud tho
Government by the manufacture OF Illicit
spirits, It is solf-evldont that they were also
guilty of every offence under the reve-
nue. law. There arc two or more prov-
sions of that law the violation OF which
is punishment by nne and impri-onment.
leres and property found thereon at the time
Of the seizures WILL Of course, pe dctermined In
favor of the Government by this action OF the
inuic ed rnrites to-day. IL remains 10 be seen.
however, whether the Government viii be Juatt-
nfd In suffering the distillers who pleaded guilty
to-day tO escape with Only nominal punishment
The inference, Of course, "a that these men are
In posses cssiun Of evidence which Will enable the
Government TO bring still greater criminals 10
Justice and that there was no other way Of so
curing this result than by making terms with
| less important parties.
| The course OF the Government In 81. Louis
was entirely different The distillera, gaugers,
and store keepers tnere who had been indlcte ed
were compelled to plead guilty TO all the counts
| In the indictments against them. and not one OF
| them was promised clemency hy the prOsecut-
Ing officers. 1t is true that there Ia a wide DIFF
ference between the st. Louis Ring and the
| combination here. The Ring here WAS much
stronger and had local surroundings which
| gave II many advantages over the Governments
1t was almost impossible to reach some Of the
| parties who have been IMPLICATED within the
| last three weeks, without making terms with
some one two II the men who were in-
dlcted at tho former term of the court.
| II the developments hereafter to- be made i'm
| pllcate some Of the distinguished persons whose
| relations with the Ring we're matter Of general
conversation, tho country Will be inclined TO say
| that the Secretary OF the Treasury acted wisely
| IN trading of men Of little Importance for others
| whose position makes them much more crimi-
| nal In the eyes OF the world, Dut II no bigger
game than Hesing, Miller, and kehm are
| captured by this bargain, the public win
| not be satisfied. It Is patent to every
one who has given the matter attention
that Heslng, Miller, and Rehm are not the Dia
| criminals IN this Whskey Ring business. WITH
| out the assistance ana countenance Of men wac
| welded great political influence, these throo
| politicians would have been OF but lttle service
| to tho distillers. IL only as the teprosent4-
| tlyes and manipulatOrs OF men like Logan and
| Furwel that they were oipnble Of serving the
| manufacturers Of crooked whiskcy Secretary
| Bristow, with all the glory he has 80 ~ ty ac-
| qured by his matchIess crusade against oflciat
corrupt!ons, cannot afford TO make mistake
| here.