The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-07
BRIsrov,s ILLUMINATION.
Refusins % ssp whsther Grant sustsiued
Him I'm his whiskoy Raid.

wAsuINaroN, July e.--Ex- Brls-
tow, after hours OF patient waiting, was ex-
amined this afternoon In regard 10 bis kpowl-
edge OF the attitude OF the Administration on
the wbiskey trials. The examination was con-
Quoted by Messrs. Coohrane and Pisieted, the
latter q Republican. Everything went on
smoothly so long M the questions were OF no
general importance. The appointment OF Dis
trict Attorneys and assistants in the cities
where the whiskey trials were held was first
taken w. Bristow said that he had nothing to
do with the appointments. nor did he know
what influences actuated the President In the
selection OF the men he appointed. In one lu-
stance only. that Of Henderson. did he know
auEht OF the Federal spponteos engaged In
prosecuting the whiskey frauds. In Hender-
sons case Solicitor Wilson recommended his
appointment, and having conndbnce in the
Solicitors judgment, he urged the selection OF
ex-senator henderson upon the Attorney ten-
eral. He did not then. nor aid he now, think
that llenderson's selection would be the cause
seeded ss 10 Whether he Was sapoori cd In his
work by the President, to which BristOw re-
piled that he was, as lar rs outward evidence
Tue next questions were "Do you believe
that the President was In sympathy with these
prosecuLiOns2 Was be as earnest In the work
AZ yourselfY Did he encourage you to De aegres-
sive ftor he saw what was the scope OF the raid
on the distillcrs aud their contederatesr
Brlstow, In declining to answer, said substan-
TALLY that bis relations with the President for
two years had been that OF Cabinet ofncer, and
II bad always been held that communication
between an executive Othcer and the President
were OF privileged char icter.
The question was then asked whether his
reason for declining to answer was because u
would reflect upon the Administration. This
question. Mr.. Bristow thought. came under the
same category ~ the others, and declined to
answer any quesiion that touched upon conf
dental relations between the President aud
himself. Having stated frankly that lie did not
wish to appear In contempt OF the oDmmittee,
he SAID the rule which had been observed ny
Cabinet officers heretofore he must now observe.
Mr.. Cochrsne Informed Mr. Brtstow that II
was matter Of record before two committees
OF the House this session that an ex-Auorney-
General and an Attorney-General had not
shielded themselves behind secrets OF State"
and that under the circumstances the Inference
could only be that refusal to answer was because
the ex-Sscretary did not wish to reflect upon
tine AdminIstr tlon. such was not privileged
matter, and he thought tue witness should an
swer.
Mr.. Piaisted took the ground that IL was a
personal privilege. whcn witness could not
waive even II he was 81 disclosed. II was against
all pubic policy to compel or require any one
occupying confidential relations with a high
officer Of the Government to tell what had
passed between them.
After discussing the question for an hour the
examination was continued until Tomorrow,
wben the question will be submitted 60 tue fun
committee. Tue Chairman, Proctor Knott, said
| TO. nignt that he knew Dristow would plead priv
tleged communication, nut that II would not
be sustained by tue committee.