The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-21
CROWDING BRlST0W OUT.
rHE THIETES COMBTNED AGAINST
THE HONIST SECRLIihf.

wAsIfrNGToN, Feb 10.-The Cabinet Crisis
which THE Sun predicted long ago Is inevitsb'c
and IA very near at hand. Dabcock's trial ana
bsweu.knovn connections arc the precipitat-
hps cause when Mr.. Drstow Initiated his pohcy
90 capture and crush out the Whi-koy Rng tue
President was reluctant to adopt 1t, for various
personal ind political reasons. At that time
thcfc was no belief, outside Of a limited circle 10
Ba5cock's completely in the frauds.
Nr Bristow succeeded In removing these OBJ |
teotions Uy showing that advantage would result |
70 tho President and to his Administration by |
an honest and stern execution OF the law |
through which examples might be made. Graht |
consented, expecting that Joyce, Mcdonald, and
some of the oflciis would be convicted and
Ihen the prosecutions would stop. lie was viii
Ang to sacrifice a few friends for the glory OF be-
lre called reformer.
II was under these circumstances that Grant
wrote his letter to II istow, saying. let no
rulity man escape" Those memorable words
vhich have Of late been perverted ino the
worry opposite sense, were proposed by Mr Dris-
tow, and passed into political provero at the
SINE While the prosecutions were conh1ed to
the original parties and project, the relations
Between the President aud the Secretary Of the
dfeasury wero cordial and confidential.
But 20 sooner had investigation traced colu-
sion with this conspiracy into the White House
hnhu tue1t lIltlNlN ltInie tHhhetNs ouu nave
gradually grown colder. until the Intercourse is
now merely ofncial and ceremonious, under an
exterior Of saving appearances. There has been
10 positive break, but Grant and Bristow are no
longer comfortable In each others company.
The line Of separation was positively drawn
sfter Babcock's Indictment, and has widened
every day since then.
That fact wa eodsend to the friends Of the
convicted cons spirators and to their coniederates
An public life, who had heretofore been moving
heaven and earth to stop the trials and prevent
further indictments. They were now welcomed
at tue White House. Every private avenue Of
access to 1t was choked with enemies OF the
Secretary OF the Treasury. Grant was told and
he pretended to believe that the prosecution OF
Babcock was directed at him personally; that
the object was to defame and break him down,
aud that Bristow's sole motive was a selfish am
biion 10 become President
Once possessed by these prejudices, Grant
sonformed his action TO their guidance. lie has
shrown tho whole influence Of the Administra-
ton In favor Of Babcnck, obstructed the course
Of justice. and openly thwarted the Secretary OF
the Treasury In IN inner to depreciate his posi-
uen Ia the department. The Cabinet, with a
keen instinct for their own protection, at once
fell In with these preiudiccs, and have treated
Bristow as an enemy Of the President which Il
smortal offence in the ewes Of the faithtul.
or Fish, Chandler Belknap and Robeson no
manhood was expected. Their first law Is
obedience. Jewell at the start OF his career
professed some little Independence, but soon
subsidized into an ahject follower OF Grant and
defender OF all his acts, including orders TO
favor fraudulent mail contractors. Pierrepon;
went into ONCE a self proclaimed reformer and
will 60 out of 1t without a shred of reputation,
either professional. political, or personal. His
aaefant prostitution Of a great ONCE TO the
worst ot iects has no parallel in American his
tory, and may yet lead TO ms impeachment.
The party in Congress has f.llcn into line
behind the White House like a body Of regulars.
Hotavoice Is raised to sustain u istow. Sepa
tors and Representatives. sit like statues Of
silence No man /. bold enoug t. speak for a
cause which concerns public honesty and
upright coycrnne ent. II It ,e a.ked what
sauses have rruduced these extraordinary
results, the answer is ready. Leading Repub-
hcans Of both Houses, nd leaders in several
States, esptci ily Of the Northwest, are gravely
compromised In the whi-key frauds Exposure
Of their compllcitv is ruin, no only TO the indi-
Viduals, but to the orcanizatl u.
Hence there is new conspiracy in aud out Of
Congress to defeat any further prosecution OF
khe whiskey con piracy. Tho President, the
Cabiuet, and the leaders In Congress are engaged
Ia it. They are all combined TO-DAY 10 drive Brs-
10 discharge his duty, to punish thieves, and u
NJ no guilty man escape This is his only crime
but It Is one which corrupt Administration
sill never forgive.
These partisan consplrators have sought In
rtry wa, t. force resignation from Bristow.
Bailing In that, they were afraid TO demand 1t 10
Ne present state Of public opinion. A new
Sheme has now been concocted in the hope OF
having break up without going before the
country on the naked issue of Dabcock's trial,
sbich Il at tie bottom OF Grants animosity
The duty u ferreting out the Whi-key frauds,
snscting the testimony, and virtually preparing
he whiskey cases for trial has sub stantially de-
solved on Bluford wilson, solicitor OF the Treas
Hry. In his capacity he has rendered immense
service, and exhibited great ability, untiring en-
Wgy. inhexhe integrity, and resolute purpose
" 90 to the bottom Of this rascality, no matter
sLo might suffer.
hsRne"eeeary consequence he has come into
collision with the wishes Of the President and
his followers, wb1 believe in the policy Of 81
kDce and the protection Of TOgu's Mr., Wilson
has had. from the beginning, the unqualified
confidence OF Mr. Brstow. They have worked
together in rerfect harmony, and may be said
10 stand alone In their ende-yors TO bring the
sonspr tors 10 Justice.
Now, i- intended 10 remove Bluford Wilson
Simply because he "a honest, faithful and capa-
bie, and Las taken the Pr dent at his word,
and because he s friend ot Bustow. II Is sup
posed at the White House that the Secretary
may Indignantly throw up his portfolio and re-
Hire In dlsgust.if wilson is rudely dismissed
without cause. At least, it Is designed as a prov
oeatiOn TO that end.
Perhaps this scandalous intrigue may succeed,
and perhaps not. the transparent motive may
possibly defeat the aim. In any event, the re
noval Of pronounced Republican like Blu
eord wilson, whose record is unstained for NO
ether real reason than because he would not
disgrace himself and betray his trust, cannot
be misinterpreted by the country or fail to
react on the party which will quietly tolerate
10 gross an outrage.
Ring Senators, Representatives and other
managers claim that Bristow should be put out
forthwith, because every hour that he remains
On once is damaging TO their interests and inju-
Sious TO harmony in the party. They contend
shat once deprived OF once and Its authority be
will become powerless, and before the ConVen.
ton meets next June, his name even will be al
most forgotten.
Grant shares In these opinions and will find a
fs. Nla.W. oh lFaWa Nlag .l.s