The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-19
THE CISE AGAINST hancock.
Summing Up the Evidence What MAY Fol-
low a NrrdicI OF AcaMimnl.


low n Verdict Of Acauitial.
WASHiNGToS, Feb. lS.-As the dcnoue-
ment In the Babcock trial approaches, public In
terCst here Is lutcn. fled. Tho White House
patty appear to be worry confident that there will
be no conviction, and they are very hopeful Of
an absolute acquittal On the other hand, the
general feeling outside the small circle Of B4b-
cocks friends Is that there will not be an ac-
quittsl, but probably disagreement CT the jury.
Among those who have followed the case close
y and read the testimony carefully. TIE opinion
prevails that tie prosecution has made
out it, casey clearly and positively. The
defence acmits conspiracy existed,
but claims that Babcock was wholly
innocent Of any knowledge criminal or other
wise. Of It's existence. they Offer no reasonable
explanation Of the kilograms which passed be-
tween BAtcock. joyce, ana Mcdonald, but ad-
vance the theory that Babcock, like the presi-
don't, hsd crtite confidence In these officers, and
therefore the intercourse between them was
unrestricted; but the fact that the attorneys
for the defence thought Eyorests testimony IN
regard TO the mailing of the two eiters was 70
imp1rtaut that thc1 introduced witness To
swear TO an unlikely stor, destroys this theory
Of the defence.
TuIs testimonv OF the letter carrier IL really a
two-eGsed sword. aud II rightly Landled by the
Prosecution must prove very damaging 10 the
defence. In the first place IL corrObaratcs
Eyerest's story cumpletcly. II proves that Joyce
did give Everest the two letters to mail. and the
Inference is Irresistible that eat h OF these let
tors contained a 500 bin, the 1ills Eyerest OBJ
t.in' for Joyce; Hnd, second, II proves tnat TIE
defence considered u absolutely nocC ssarl u
ma,lcl 20 aim. Now, if the iuiy does not be-
NsYe the testimony oi thc letter cWrer-whlch
every sensible man, no matter what tue oias OF
III NINA ih.N De- must hdWl T. enllelN-ih'n
tuc conclusion D. irresistible tnat the jury must
i,ke TINS attemnt at aun,fnatinh OF per
jury - a c.nies.ion Of guit 09 the
part % the defendant. Tho effect of this ties.
ulnony GA the auiiencc h hls teen described, aud
the lArY must iecl Gloss band of sympathy be
tween itself anu the crowd shat surrounds u, II
D. mariicst that the uopuiace did not he itye
the letter carriers story, and II Is quite safe 90
conclude that the inrs reasons ia much the same
way. If the jury di-peucNes it then tne chauces
ns inst l}ancock ana realty Increased thereby.
There are four very strong points made against
Hahcock, and The defence has altogether failed
10 explain them away, lrstl hs correspond-
euco with joyce and Mcdonald before uud up
10 the rain on the Whskey Ring; second, the
secret correspondence with McDonaid after he
was indicted; third, Evcrtsts testimony as 10
the mailing Of the letters containing money;
AND, fourth, the testimony OF the dislillef,
Bows, rs 70 the letter which Joyco gave him u
reassnre bis lello" nemhtfs OF ihe Hng. II Is I'M
possible tnat an acquit TAI can he secured against
such points a. the although II l. possible mat
one or lMo jurors may prevent az agreemeht
II, however, there should he An absolute acquit-
J there viii be some important deyclopmcnis
ipluw close upun The reception OF the news
here. The Presidents friends say, III the event
Of an ncquilta, lrlsiow shouli Immediately
tender HIS resignation; but this Is prepusterous.
IL would be confession ON his part
that he bad exceeded his duty He
will not do anything Of the klnd but, on tho
contrary, he will aw.it calmly the action of
the Presiden', expecting u demand Tor his
resignation. II it is called for lac will tender it
with fun exposition Of all the facts having
any bearing on the issue, and the public may
depend tnat there viii be some mighty interest
ing reudlng for a day or two thereafter. A Con-
gresslonal Investigation will be forthwith or
uered ana then the bottom facts In the Whiskey
Ring business Will be aid bare Tor the first time.
Tho impeachment Of Attorney-G oneral Pierre
pOnt Will be the first result, and the President
may not escape either.