The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-14
GRANTISM IN ST. LOUIS.
The Desperate shifts of the Thieves-Books
Mutiinted TO Protect Muilett.

ST. LOUIS, July 13.-New facts made
public In regard to the Custom House building
frauds investigation here are interesting. IL
seems that at the time the investigation closed
80 singularly, there had been already Afforded
proofs of fraud Of a character not to be over
looked. One incident OF the Grand Jury room
in particular was telling In It's character. A
carpenter named Kelly, accused OF doing work
for which the Government was made illegally
to pay, swore that he was paid for the labor by
a private individual. II was then developed
that he lad, only moment before he gave his
testimony, been handed money by the individual
named AT the door OF the jury room. In order
that verbally no might not commit a perjury
This Is but sample Of the desperate shifts OF
the ringsters. II was proven repeatedly III the
invest ration that private work was done for
Walsh. the Superintendent, and for Allger. OF
Mullett himself, the strongest obstacles were
thrown in the way OF the prosecution. Every
device was resorted 10 so that the course OF the
funds from washington for the Custom House
could not be traced and the handling OF the
slush money clearly shown.
The mutilation OF the books Of Snyder II ap-
pears, was what protected Mullett. II Is alleged
now that ths tools for the quarrying, furnished
Al great expense hy the eGoyernmsnt are retain
ed by SNYDER. District Attorney Bliss said to-
day that the matter would tie reopened II pos
siple, but that the mutilatiOn OF the books was
SO complete that another class OF testimony
must be relied upon As to the cessation OF the
first inve-tigation he said simply, 1t Just
amounts 10 tnls-ln snort, We never nau any
backing"
The " hiskey men are endeavoring to induce
Bliss TO aid in securing the pardons OF McKee,
Avery, and others, but be refuses, and says no
will continue 10 do 30. The man Fox who Ia In
terestlng himself IN the matter IN Washington,
and VINO mas such influence with the President.
l. man notorious here as a Hhoddy contractor.
During the war he furnished shoddy clothing
and paper-soled shoes To Lyons soldiers. and u
commission was a. pointed to investigate, con-
sisting ~ Judge Holt, Judge Davis. now OF the
Supreme Court and Campbell OF ST. Louis. They
rejected Fox's claim Of about $1,000 totally.
Fox Is now a bankrupt and political adyenturcr,
who fought on the Grand Jury to save Babcock,
and got from Grant the appointment for his son
as Consul to Brunswick Immediately after the
service.
EI.Dls,rct Attorney Dyer denies FoI's state
ment bs ore the Washington Whiskey Inyestiga-
ton committee that Over volunteered so much
testimony against Babcock that Fox on the jury
had 10 che X him. DYER says that the question
under consideration was as 10 the - Jpn de-
spatch. Some one said II was not proven to be
ln Babc0ck' hand writing. replied that that
had not been questioned th 4 'hcOck had ad
mitted 1t. and had undertaken to explain 1t Ia
! the President. When / made this statement to
| tho Jury Mr.. Fox wanted To know II was under
| oath. | replied that | was under oath as an
| oficer. though not as witness; but that II
| sworn, | would testify tn the same effect. wac
| then sworn. and stated what the Attorney zen
| eral and Secretary OF tue Ire isury had told mo
| That Is the only case | can remem Der which
/ a IA