The New Orleans bulletin., 1876-01-29
BLUE RU IN.
The Whisky War Opened Here.
Our Share in the Great Transaction.

There has been so much smoke drifting
about our city of late with the odor of crooked
whisky about it, that keen noses have been
scenting around in search of the flame, but
until few days ago nothing but the smoke
was discernible The arrival here, however,
of Gen. Thos J. Brady, an agent Of the gov
ernment, blew away the clouds, and 1t became
evident that the roar and crash of the whisky
war was upon us.
Last evening a representative of the Bull
LETIN visited that gentleman at his rooms III
the St. Charles Hotel. tor the purpose OF
cleaning what could be cleaned from this
head and front Of the advancing hosts. After
a cordial hand shaking. We were invited to a
seat, when the folio wing conversation en-
sued:
Rep. 1 believe, Mr.. Brady, your mission
here is to detect the Irregularities in the
whisky business; is it not?
Mr.. T. Yes, sir; thai is wha. | came here
for.
Rep. Do you know anything Of three
capiases said TO have been issued late THIS
afternoon for certain individuals supposed to
be connected with crooked whisky
Mr. b. No, sir, do not. That branch OF
the matter is lett entirely to the legal officers,
Rep. Have you found here, Mr. Brady,
sufficient evidence as yet to sa,isty you that
the government has suffered from our liquor
merchants in whisky?
Mr.. b. Oh YES 1t was fficult to get all
the evidence we wanted at first, because the
dealers books have been either sold 10 paper
dtalers, burnt or stolen, and We were In
measure retarded by this fact. Aud then
TOO, the calpable parties here have had SO
much notice, they have had ample time to
prepare for our visit. When the war was
first started in ST. Louis, they knew it here
Immediately and SO they have had time to
arrange their matters.
Rep. Do these parties you refer to belong
to the wholesale grocery trade, or strictly to
Wholesale whisky dealers?
Mr.. B. Whisky dealers entirely, sir. This
business was confined to a certain ring only.
We have found that there have been very
large shipments here of the Bevis y Frazier,
of St Louis, the Bingham of Evansville, and
Rees of ST. Louis whiskys, all crooked, and
certain prominent firms have dealt largely in
them. This is certain.
Rep Could you give rough estimate OF
the amount received here OF this crooked
liquor?
to tell, but the quantity is large.
the gov .rnment to trace this whisky in its
original packages?
Mr. B. That will occasion US much diff
Guilty. The inquiry, taking as it does the
years 1874 and rs, has enabled time enough
to elapse tor the dealer to sell and ship away
a great deal, but there is enough evidence left
for us.
Rep. Pardon me, Mr.. Brady, for do not
desire to ask you any question You cannot
freely answer, but could yon tell me upon
whom this blow will fall here
Mr.. B. We'll, Of course you understand we
can not tell anything about this business in
our position, but l will say [growing emphat-
ic it will fall with terrific effect upon some
prominent firms. That is sure, sir-with ter
rife effect.
Rep. Are there any government officials
here implicated in the business as yet!
Mr. B. No, sir. So far We have not DIS
covered any colusion between the officials and
the dealers. The truth is, our examination
so far has been in the direction Of the st.
Louis and Evansville whiskies, and we have
had so many difficulties to contend with, l
don't feel like saying much about these mat
ters. NV position is such that can lot tell
you if would, and the courts will have the
whole case to deal with
Not wishing to intrude longer our reporter
withdrew.