New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-07

TIE DISTRICT sAFE BURGLARY TRIAL To BE LOOKED
INTo-A COMMITTEE 10 INQUIRE INFO 1HE RI
MoRs CONCERNING TnE FURNISHING OF TFsTI-
MoNY TO BABCOCH's COUNSEL
IBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TuBrSrl
WASHINGTON, March 6-Two important rcsolu-
tions of investigation introduced in the House
to-day The first was offered by Mr. Buckuer, Chair
man of the Committee on the District Of Columbia,
was todiscoyerwhat interference. ifany,
took place in the judicial proceedings in the notorious
Safe Burglary trial. either by officers of the United
States or those who or had been officers OF the
District of Columbia OF by Others. 1t viii be re-
membered that by direction of the Attorney Cen
cral Mr. Riddle one Of the most prOmiuet lawyers
of the District was employed as an assistant
10 the DistrictAttOney for the prosecution OF the
persons alleged TO have been concerned in the Safe
burglary Conspiracy. Before he was indicted Har-
rington succeeded in releasing on straw bail one
Of the safe burglars who had been captured
by the police, and was at the time lodged
that had this man not been released he would have
BETRAYED his accOmpccs and given testimony
against them in the CONT. After the failure OF
the Jury to agree in the Harrington case, II
was reported that Mr. Riddle had obtained posses
sion of new information which would have enabled
him to the presence of some Of the conspifa
tors who were not examined as witnesses IN that
case and he was proceeding with great diligence 10
prepare his case when he was suddenly informed
by tho Attomey-Gen1al that his connection
with IL was at an end. II has been gem
orally understood that AttOrney-GencIal Williams
did not act in this matter his responsibility,
but by the direction Of the President. Another re-
mort the investigation of which will also come
within the limits Of Mr. BucLncrs resolution s that
after the jury was sent out, and before it reported
IN thc Cont it, inability to agree Gov. Shepherd
WAS seen at night locked into that part OF the Court
house in winch the jury was confined. This report
has never been denied, and the Committee on the
Judiciary will probably demand an explanation OF
this strange circumstance.
The other resolution of investigation was moved
by Mr.. Knott, Chairman Of the Committee on the
Judiciary and directs thc appointment OF special
committee of seven to inquire in regard 10 the FUR
nishing of testimony on which the prosecution IN
Gen Babcocks case relied to anyone interested III
the defense, and also whether any measures We're
taken by anyone 10 prevent the obtaining of the tcs-
tImony of any witnesses. This committee will be
empowered not only to examine into all reports now
current about the furnishing Of testimony or an out
line of the case prepared by Distrct-Attorney Dyer
10 Gen Babcocks counsel. but also "a 10 the cir
cumstanccs under which Attorney General Pierre
mont wrote his now famous letter Of Jan. 2G TO Dis
trict-Attorney Dyer and how . copy of IT cane
INTO the hands OF Gen. Babcocks counsel. aud was
afterward published Having got in these two rcso-
utiOns and kept ont all others, the Democrats were
happy-and j. Proctor Knot was heard singing
negro ballad BEGINNING The broom ledge ~ burn
inc And the rabbits all are running, Glory, Halle
luah."