The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-01-06
Joyce interviewed i'm Prison.
EXTRACTS from Jefferson City, Mo, Letter. De
cember 22d, to New York Herald

talK with him. lie seemed verv glad
to see me. and at or,ce launched into con.
versation. Bot before proceed to give
the dialogue that ensued must premise
that during this interview Joyce evident
~ played two roles very distinct and diff
terent. AS long as he talked about his
book and other unimportant subjects ne
was delightfully."- chatty, communicative
and unrcserved, and apparently uncon-
scious, but the moment the conversation
dlvcrgcd to any point which seemed to
invite communication of the secrets of
the whisky ring conspiracy from him he
squlrmed, became uneasy, restless and as
non-coinmittal as William Of Orange He
lost his former Inconsistencies instanta-
neousy. and his manner as we'll as his
words became as conscious as those Of
theatrical performer.
"Colone," / said, beginning seriously
the attack, II am informed that you
have nothing to hope for from the Pres
ident. Why not, therefore, give up all
the evidence that is locked in your breast
TO the world p
Joyce's complaisant ease forsook him in
an instant. He squirmed and assumed Il
forced theatre air.
The evidence? know nothing. As
far as these frauds are concerned | know
nothing. AS far as know Babcock Is an
innocent man. AS far as l know the
President is an innocent man.
'Peoplc say, Colonel. that yoa know
more about the secret history of this ring
than any other living man! =
Joyce laughed. He fairly chuckled !;
but in a forced manner, that vas rather
painful than other wise.
''They do, eh - he replied; .they
think | could knock these fellows ali
higher than kite, do they, eh q Aud
he shook his head, laughing in the same
unnatural way.
Colonel, you are man DESTROYS of
fame. If you made such an exposure
you would become the most famous man
In the country
THE most Infamous, you mean he
replied, nervously and sharply. Il am
infamous enough already" And he tried
to turn the conversation TO another sub
.ject.
why if you were to make a clean
breast Of everything that has happened
IT might turn popular opinion so in your
favor that it might ultimately result in
your liberation
Joyce here forgot himself and did not
assume his former constraint. GLOW
would it secure my liberationl' he quer.
led, in n whisper. "Thc only man who
could libcrate me is the President but
here he remembered his other role, and
violently changing his tone and manner
ne said, grandly, and with flourish Of
ms hand: mo, sir, know nothing; |
have declared III my speech that am an
innocent man and am an innocent man.
| stand here b. fore the world as tho vic
tim of other mems guilt. know moth
ing that is inconsistent with my inno-
cence."
WHAT returned, ''are you willing
ers equally guilty go scot free? Are you,
man Of your spirit, Colonel, willing to
quietly serve out your term while Bah.
cock, for instance, is either acquitted or
pardoned!'
This was bulls eye, and Joyce
writhed nndcr the blow despite his re-
markablc sclf-control. With his lips
slightly trembling he lowered his voice,
and putting his head closer to that Of the
writer he eagerly asked -
'Do YOU think the President will par
don him il he's convicted do you think
he will q And without waiting for an
answer he murmured to himself AYES.
suppose they'll make soft bed for
Babcock. suppose they will tAgaih
turning to his interlocutor) : Does Dyer
think he can convict Babcock! Do You
think he will convict him Now tell me
earnestly what you think. | want
to get you: own opinion. You have been
down at ST. Louis and you have watched
these things
"My own opinion is that he will either
be acquit;e ed, or, il convicted. immediate
~ pardoned.
"Yes. suppose he will be" Joyce
went On il a whisper, which betrayed
his mental anxiety on this subject.
.'Grant strongly believes in his innocence,
don't hc!' And here Joyce suddenly
burst into fit OF laughter, as though 1t
were q goo joke. ''But you don't think
he can remain the President private
secretary after he's convicted, do you =
sits hard to tell. Perhaps not.
1.-The Herald goes in very strongly
against a third term. don'titi Well.
am opposed to it. toe. II George Wash.
ington were to run for third term l
wouldn't vote for him.
.But, Colonel, are you really inBexible
In your resolution not to give the evil
dence you possess to the Herald a.
Col. joyce smiled good-naturedly. and
for the nonce he forgot the role Of the
moment, and in the following reply gave
IN implied admission Of the fact Of his
,,nsSoSSion of ryidcnce
Nov. look here! How can come for.
ward with evidence about this conspiracy
when !, have come out and in my speech
in open court declared that was perfect.
~ innocent. and how can | know any
thing about these frauds i'll am innocent
and had nothing to do With them
sYou might know something about
them and still be innocent replied.
mo. wouldn' said he, vehemently,
sthe whole people would turn against me
Is man who lied once. and therefore