The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-08-03

The time is near at hand when must MAKE
square issue with the thieves and scoundrels who
have combined to destroy me. You cannot be too
careful about talking with anybody The matter
about the 'Sylph" dispatch and the fact OF the
talk with PierrepoDt is known to P. and B. (Por-
ter and Babcock), and has greatly disturbed them.
I suppose must make up my mind to bear the
abuse of the ring papers, hard as it is. They are
fighting to keep their friends out of prison, and
will not hesitate to destroy anybody who stands
in the way. AS for myself, cannot turn back or
stop to parley with the thieves. I have noother
ambition to serve, other purpose to accomplish,
than to enforce the laws and the honest col
lection of the revenue. will compromise with
nothing short of this and upon this issue ] am
willing to be sacrificed any day.
p S-Ask Webster to write the President about
the Chicago Custom House and the whisky ring.
He has great confidence in Webster, and it will
quire the utmost watchfulness of his real friends
to prevent him from being mised. Tell Webster to
write strongly, and tell the truth.
The creation of the Military Court in Chicago
was considered by Bristow and Wilson as an in
dication that the President had decided that
the prosecution should fail.
Wilson heard nothing of the charge that he
had placed spies on the Presidents track until
Babcock was indicted. Then the President ex-
pressed himself openly against Henderson and
Dyer. Henderson was dismissed in spite of
Wilson's written protest to the Secretary of the
Treasury. Judge Treat and Eaton had both
declared that Henderson and Dyer meant no
offense to the President by their speeches.
Henderson, on the contrary had gone out of
the way to defend the President. Wilson con-
sidered the dismissal of Henderson fatal
blow to the further successful prosecution of
Babcocks case.
Wilson regarded the Presidents persistent
refusal to remove District Attorney Ward, Of
Chicago, as another evidence that he took little
interest in the prosecution. The President was
informed on Dec. 8, 1875. by Burton G Cook,
of Chicago, that Ward was partner in Powell's
distillery, and had improper relations with
Jacob Rehm. The President told Cook that he
would remove Ward Immediately, and asked
Webster to name his successor at once.
Wilson read from note he had written Bris-
tow in which he stated that it was the general
belief that Logans illness was attributable to
sheer fright.
Wilson produced letter from Gen. ]. D.
Webster, of Chicago, to himself dated Dec. g.
1876 in which Webster said:
Do you not begin to rub your eyes and inquire
whether you are awake? whether we are awake,
and whether we are all not involved in some bad
rings: Was there such scandalous lying and
plotting Is it not the most remarkable fight of
the century? Is there any key to it, except that
the banded corruptionists Of all classes are sum
moning all their forces and placing their reliance
on unparalleled audacity o. vituperation and cum
ningly devised accusations? 1t is possible that
Babcock has willingly counttnanced an attack upon
Bristow while he confesses his own infamy? What
other explanation is there FOR the Inter Oceans
attack? expect the ring haJe control of the Inter-
Ocean. They want an English organ in the Inter
Ocean, as they already have German organ in the
Stats Zeituqag.
Wilson, under date of De-. Is, 1875, writes
to the President from st. Louis, denying that
he engaged persons to convics Farwe1.
Wilson warned the President and the Attor-
ney-General from using rs. Bell The Presi-
dent had practically engaged him to work indie
pendently of the prosecuting officers IN st.
Louiz. Wilson defeated this.
On Christmas Day 1875, the President
vile Grant and Fred Grant. In the course of
the conversation, the President informed Will
son of his belief in Babcock's entire inno-
cence. and denounced Henderson and Dyer
for refusing to send original documents to the
military court
June 26, 1876, Wilson was invited to a con-
ference at the White House. The President
protested against receiving the testimony
of accomplices He said there was alto
gether too much of that thing. The
President referred to the case of Roddis, a Mil,
waukee gauger, who had been nolle pressed.
The President asked Wilson all about Everest
his return from Europe; where he was;
whether he was to be granted immunity; what
it was expected to prove by him; and what he
knew about sending a letter to Babcock by
Joyce containing $500. Wilson said Everest
had not been promised immunity. The Presi-
dent said: "Major, when I said Ietno guilty
man escape, I meant it, but no that nine
should escape and one be convicted" Wilson
replied: Mr.. President, we are not counting
heads; we are trying to break up unlawful COM
binations against the revenue, and to discover
those who organized it, and j know no other
way to do this except by getting inside the
ring" Secretary Chandler was present in the
room during this interview. Wilson offered to
satisfy the President further. The President
replied that it was not worth while-there was
too much of it. Supervisor Tuition had been
there that day, fresh from Chicago influencing
the President. Wilson sent Bristow to the Presi-
dent with documents to counteract Tuttons
representations. Bristow did so. Wilson then
produced his instructions as to the use of in
formers comprehended in the dispatch to Tut
ton in Chicago, Jan. IA, 1875, published some
time afterwards. The President then ex-
nressed himself satisfied with the conduct of
Wilson and Bristow. Babcosk subsequently
came to Wilson, showing that he had complete
1,,nrulodna cf the entire conversation between