New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-02-21
NETWORK DAILY TRIBUNE

in the position of Solicitor man OF lar Hoio
than ordinary power. No wonder that thieves
dread him. But what motive for his removal
can an honest Executive plead
This IL the man whose skill and fidelity have
proved stronger than the gigantic conspiracy
which boosted that it was stronger than the
Government" and was absolutely confident,
when first assailed, that it would drive Secre-
tary Bristow out of the Cabinet within a
month. But, rare as his qualifications wero Mt
the outset, they have been UNNECESSARILY IN
creased by years spent in studying the problem
OF reform. No other man can so fully I'M
derstand all the methods by which the rev.
enue has been stolen. or the methods by
which thieves can be detected, OF the
measures by which they can be brought
TO punishment. In his hands he holds all
the threads by which every branch OF tins
conspiracy can be traced. Other able officers
in the service understand each his own especial
part of the inquiry. But Major Wilson alone
understal d. the wOrl. rs q whole, and knows
how the discoveries Of each fit into and COM
plctc those OF others. IL general in COM
mand of an army is killed. in the midst OF Il
complicated campaign, it is not easy for
H1OlUcI W ltht up thNNg component $500
plans in all their details, and carry them for
ward without error. But it would be I'M
mcasurably easier than for any other
man to reap the fruits of Major Wilson's In
qury. In tho conduct of lOng-contnued
secret investigation. directed against con-
spiracy which has connections in every part OF
the country and for years has adopted differ
cnt tricks and devices for different times and
places, no man can be expected to take the
place of the Solicitor. The knowledge that he
has acquired is of incalcuabe value to the
department. The ablest man, coming into his
place, would be compelled to spend months III
studying the problem, as Major Wilson did,
and even then would lack the personal knowl-
edge of men, rs prosecutors, witnesses, con-
spirators, OF allies, which his experience has
given. In word, to remove Major Wilson is
TO break up the campaign against the Whisky
Ring.
That is why the unconyicted thieves clamor
for his removal. They hold high places III
Illinois, Wisconsin. Louisiana, Ohio. or New
York Linked together in this attack are
friends of Logan and Carpenter, West De-
lano, and ConhlinG. and even friends OF the
President. All the thieves and oil their tools
and allies are fighting with desperation. Every
man who has had part in this great robbery,
every man who has aided it for personal or
party reasons, is haunted every night by dreams
of states prison so long as Bluiord wilson
il on his track. To get rid of him u
tho imperative necessity for the thieves and
their poltical allies They know that his re-
moval would arrest the investigation, If not
forever, at least for months, until successor
could master the details of tho conspiracy.
During that interval many would escape
through inadequate prosecution. They know
al This. and the President knows it. Yet the
President il is stated, has agreed to remove
the Solicitor. Major Wilson has done his duty
faithfully. and is TO los punished for 1t. lie has
obeycd the directions OF the Secretary. and for so
doing he must he dismissed. The Secretary
might wei feel that the dismissal Of a faithful
officer for such IL reason would be an outrage.
He knows too, and the President knows. that
the removal of Major Wilson would be Il
warning 10 all other officials mol TO do then
duty fcarc~,iy. Hot to obey orders faithfully,
not 10 prosecute the Ring 10 the death. Ii
would mean no les. than formal order from
the President. "WhOcyer NEEDLES with these
whisky thieves any further shall be kicked
- ont of Office. ~
Tie whisky thioyc. and their Senatorial and
other poiitical friends do not demand the re-
moyal of The Treasurer, the Controller, either
of the Auditors. cr any other subordinate.
They are not afraid Of other officials They
leave Justice her balances, but demand that
the sword shall drop from her hand. III"
Solicitor is the sword of the Treasury. II
thieves can disarm the Secretary by an order
from the President Of the United States, what
have the people to say about it!