The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-02-18

A-Iney were.
Odd you resist the pressure that was
made upon you for the revocation or suspension
of the order, and if you finally decided to d.
rect the revocation of that order will you
please state why you was induced to do so, and
by whom? OBJECTED to as immaterial and ir-
relevant and incompetent.)
Al resisted the effort to have the order re-
vOked until L became convinced that it should
be revoked or suspended in the interest of de-
tecting the frauds that had already been COM
mtted L gave the directions for the suspen
sion OF the order making the transfers.
Odd Gen Babcock ever in any way di-
rectly or indirectly seem to influence your &C.
ton in reference to that order? OBJECTED TO-. }
Al do not think he ever did. Do not re-
member him ever speaking to me about it, or
exhibiting any interest in the matter. Do not
know that he desired the order revoked.
In answer to questions the President says:
Gen. Babcock has not undertaken to prevent
an investigation of his alleged connection with
what is down as the whisky ring He COM
planned very bitterly of his treatment after the
speech of Mr.. Henderson in the Avery trial
was delivered. Since his indictment no effort
has been made to my knowledge to dismiss the
Indictment found against him or to enter
nole prosequi or to in any Way Interfere with or
prevent his trial.
So far as know he has never exhibited any
desire to interfere with or prevent the trial.
At the time the court of inquiry was called
at Gen. Babcock's request no indictment had
been found against him aud supposed none
would be- L understood from the Attorney
General that the grand jury which was then in
session would adjourn in day or two. That
was the only course left to him. 1 understood
that the court was called as Gen. Babcock
could have no other way of indicating him.
self. lie was informed that he could not be
heard as a witness in the Avery case. Cannot
say whether he was anxious to appear as a
witness in that case or not further than his
dispatch to the District Attorney asking to be
heard.
t.
Gen. Babcook which indicated to my mind that
he was in any way interested in, or connected
with, the whiskey ring at st. Louis or else
where. always had great confidence in his
Integrity apd his efficiency, and as yet my con-
| fidence in him is mistaken.
have never learned anything that would
shake that confidence.
Cross Examined By Mr.. Eaton-Never had
any intimaton from Gen. Babcock or any one
else in any manner directly or indirectly that
any fuads for political purposes were being
raised by any improper methods.
was not aware that the prosecuting officers
had attempted 10 repel destinations that had
tolerated any such means for raising funds
Speaking of W. q. Ford, 1 never had any
| suspicion that anything was wrong I had as
much confidence in him that way, rs any man
l knew in st. Lotus.
ceased to reside in st. Louis in May, 1860.
| From 1860 down to the time of Mr. Fords
death, Mr.. Ford's residence was also in St.
Louis. Had private correspondence with Mr..
| Ford during the time he was collector, bus did
not preserve copies.
| $1,000 at time, and he would pay out the mon
| ey and account to me for it.
Have no recollection of the letter Of Mr..
Ford TO myself dated May 3Oth, 1870, in which
he spoke of Mcdonald as "a bad egg" or that
| he was a dscredit to the administration. I
have general knowledge that about the time
Mcdonald was being pressed for appointment
Ford thought it was not suitable appoint
| ment, but my recollection is that he afterwards
| acquiesced and, possibly either Joined in the
/ recommendation, which was written one, and
will be on file in the Treasury Department, or
1 else he told me in conversation.
John A. Joyce was not RECOMMENDED t. me
as Ford's successor by Gen. Babcock. Bah
l ceived from Joyce, saying he was an applicant
| for it. The substance of it was that he wanted
/ to be Ford's successor. My reply to him was
that should be guided largely in selecting the
| successor of Mr.. Ford by the Recommendation
of his bondsmen. He having died suddenly,
unexpectedly and away from home thought
they were entitled to be at least consulted as to
who the successor should be who should settle
up his accounts.
| If did receive protest against the appoint.
ment of Constantine Mcguire it is no doubt on
| file in the Treasury Department. Such pro-
test may have been received, cannot call it
| to memory.
was aware that Mcdonald was not an edu.
Gated man but he was man who has seen a
| great deal of the world and of people, and did
not Call him ignorant exactly. He was litter
ate. do not remember of receiving protest
| against his appointment. | do not know that
1t would have had any particular weight with
me if had received it, his endorsements being
| good. My recollection is that when Mcdonald
was appointed supervisor he asked the Com
mittee OF internal revenue to give him an as
| quainted with the duties. L think there was
no acquaintance existing at all between Joyce
and Mcdonald at that time. 1 never heard of
Joyce myself and did not know of the existance
ofsuch man until he was appointed on
recommendation of the commissioner who
| thought him to be the most capable man in his
Office. did not remember about these dis
| patches at all until.since the conspiracy trials
commenced.
| have heard Gen. Babcock's explanation of
most or all OF them since that. Many of these
| dispatches may have been shown TO me at the
| time and explained, but 1 do not remember it.
Did not know that during the fail of 1875, SUBJ
| sequent to my visit to st. Louis, Gen. Babcock
| correspondent with Jno. Mcdonald after the
| latter was indicted and sent his letters to Nc
| Donald under cover to Maj. e. B. Grimes. 1
| do not remember as to the particular dates, but
| we have an Executive Mansion cipher so that
| when myself and the secretaries are separated
| dispatches can be sent without being read by
| the operators. We always have had such
| cipher. had no particular knowledge, but l
| know in general way they were corresponding
l
| the Avery trial. he having gone there as
| witness. Do not think saw the dispatches. I
never keep the cipher and never wrote cipher
despatch. l never travel without having sec
rotary with me.
Cannot remember particularly think, how
| ever, Gen. Babcock did ask if there was any
reason why Maguire's name should not be
| sent have an indistinct recollection of his
| asking me the question. / resisted the pres
sure brous ht to bear upon me by prominent
m n tn ho
| cation OF the order transferring supervisors. l
| think could give the names of several sena-
| tors and probably members of Congress, but
| should have to refer to papers that are on file.
know that the pressure was continued from
| tho supervisors and their friends. I could
| name two or three but do not believe that is
necessary. AS regards the following dispatch
| don't remember of ever seeing it until these
prosecutions comm enced:
ST. LOUIS, Feb. Sd, 1875.
Gen. O: C, Babcock, Executive Mansion, Washing.
We have official information that the enemy weak
ems. Push things.
(Signed) SYLPH.
do not remember dates, but remember of
| his showing me letter that had been handed
| him from somebody 10 Philadelphia to Mr.
| Rogers, and he said it appeared in his judg-
| ment to be Matchmaking, and 1 think iG was
the occasion on which he told me what be had
| stated to Mr.. Douglass. That is as remember
| now l do remember of Gen. Babcock's
| telling me at one time of what he had pro-
| posed to Mr.. Douglass, but the date of it do
| not remember aud that it was not suggestion
| to me. 1t was merely what he had suggested
| to Mr.. Douglass, and this the same that have
| stated before. Gen. Babcock did not at any
| time tell me he had endeavored to Influence
| Commissioner Douglass. I thought General
Babceck was clearly entitled to vindicate him
| self if he was innocent. He had been denied
that opportunity before the grand jury. do
| not know except from tn, secretary himself.