The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-03
B1BCOCK "VINDICATED.o

WASHINGTON, Oct 1.-The safe-burglary
farce OF a trial is over at Washington, ana mas
ended we predicted 1t would do when 1t be-
gan. With packed Jury Of negroes, depart
ment clerks. and dependents OF the Washington
Ring, with a partial Judge, whose personal rea-
lions with the Ring chiefs have long been Doto-
rious, and with the power Of the Administra
ton openly ex 'rted to save Babcock, this result
excitcs no surprise
The very best that was expected, and that de-
pended pretty much on one man, was hung
Jury. At no time was a conviction possible with
such jury, and with such personal and polti-
cal surroundings. When the Attorney General
consented that tue trial should take place at this
time, instead OF postponing It as was proposed
to a eriod Of calm in the public mind, the YER
dict was fOresbadowed, because the wb ole busi-
ness was clearly arranged In advance. Nothing
but the forms remained, and they were all Ia the
hands Of the tools oil the Administration.
10 have convicted Babcock on the eve of the
Presidential election would have cost Hayes
thousand Of votes, by the sensation and res
ton alone. The managers at Washington dis
counted that fact before tue trial was allowed to
go on, and they took care to provide against
possibility OF failure la their plans by means
which Will sooner or later be brought to light.
There Is no doubt that one ut least of the i'm
ed, weakened in his testimony with protection
IN his pocket. His memory was conveniently
feeble.
This verdict In no way affects public opinion.
The facts stand. OF all the conspirators In the
safe burglary, DABCoCK was the one who had
most interest In its success, aud the only one
who could command the secret service detec-
tves, who were employed to carry out that
atrocious crime. His false measurements and
fraudulent vouchers were exposed to the com
mittee and the country by the vigilance, cour-
age, and energy Of Columbus Alexander, who,
more than any other OF the citizens OF Washing
ton, bore the burden Of the alht against the
Ring Of which Babcock was one OF the chiefs.
Ii was. therefore. essential to the plunderers,
who were daily uncovered 10y the investigation,
TO strike him down and to brand him with some
infamy, SO as to turn the tide In their favor.
Hence this devIsh plot was ooncocted. In
which public officials aud public money were
used as freely as II justice was the object to be
pursued, and not a criminal conspiracy without
parallel IN this country.
That Harrington, now a fugitive from Justice,
Of the active spirits in the plot, Is true,
but he was rather willing and servile lustru-
ment than directing mind. All that he could
do In the District Attorneys ONCE he did to
serve his masters and to enrich himself At
best he was mere creature Of the Ring, who
was paid with Offices perquisites, and the So
ciety OF shoddy scoundrels.
At the head Of this foul conspiracy was Bah
cock. who had previously set the very same
detective agencies at work to destroy and carry
81 Raymond II. Perry for having opposed ana
exposed the corruption and rascality Of the san
Domingo Job. which was among the first Of faD-
cocks enterprises under Grant. The closing
scene at Washington, when BaOcock entered
with Boss Shepherd aud his stan to receive the
verdict, stamped the character Of the whole
trial. They were partners in the Ring when the
investigation Of 1874 began, they were associated
IA all its operations, and twas fit, when packed
jury was about to indicate Que, that the other
should he present to share in bis joy and to
start the applause Of hired gang In the court
room.