Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-01-06
ne whislky Ring.
THE NEWS IN WASHINGTON,
ccisl Telegram to the Inter.Ocean.

EPccisl Telegram to the 1nter.Ocean.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-The Inter
Ocean Of Saturday reached here this eve.
ming, and, although it was Sunday night,
as soon Is it was known that it contained
startling Developments ON whisky mat
,crs copies were in great demand. The
article occasioned considerable surprise,
although persons claimed they had for
some time been expecting movement OF
that character. Gen. Babcock's house
was besieged with his friends and newspa-
per correspondents desiring to know the
truth OF the statement that hc intended to
make disclosures unpleasant to BristoW;
but he vas not at home, having gone to
New York on Saturday on business. liz
il expected to return to Washington on
Tuesday. Secretary Bristow was also
visited by great many people 10 learn
what he had to say in regard I" the mat.
ter. He said rs far - the accusations
against him in reference to lis connec-
ton with the whisky frauds previous to
the exposure of last May were concerned,
they were tissue Of lies, and that II hc
did not have character enough to with.
stand tie assaults of the whisky ling It
was better for him aud better tor the
Treasury Department that he should 80
under. He desires the fullest investiga.
ton of the whole record, which he hopes
to have given him shortly. lie has been
aware for some time Of An effort on the
part of the whisky ring to cripple the
prosecution BY assailing him. Bri<tow
would not refer to the Babcock matter ex-
cept to say that he knew nothing about
It. Bluford Wilson was interviewed by
sour correspondent tonight. He pro-
lessed no, to know anything about it, and
when told the outline Of the story pro-
nounced it incredible. He was just
starting for Secretary Bristow's. Sam
Randall was also visited by your cores
pondent At his residence on Capitol Hill.
He had read the article, and said he
guessed he had "struck it about right
Concerning Babcock's intentions he
knew nothing, and laughing'y referred
your correspondent to that gentleman
himself In reference to the investigation
proposed BY him he said his object WAS
to get information concerning the secret
organization and management OF the
ring, on which to base an effort r. frame
law to proven, the recurrence Of anoth'
er such conspiracy. IT. was his PROPOSE
ton to give this work Of investigation TO
the Committee on Ways and Means. for
It would be their duty to draw up the
bill; and in order TO do it properly they
must know the ins and outs Of the matter
and the methods Of the conspirators, etc.,
20 that they could make provision to de-
feat them. It VAS his purpose to lay
bare every fact relating to the conspiracy.
he knew that he would lmplicate Demo
crats As we'll As Republicans, but it was
no party matter. The public Treasury
had been robbed, and the people, irrespec'
tive of party, had an interest in the pr. 8
ecution and punishment Of the thieves
The idea that the bringing Of this tcsti'
mony into the committee would interfere
win public justice was the suggestion Of
those who are interested in keeping the
facts secret, and Bristow would not care
TO take the responsibility Of Withholding
anything. There were whole herd Of
fellows to be reached, Randall said, who
had not yet been named. He intended
the matter should not be kept entirely
within the walls Of the Treasury Depart
ment. Attorney Genesal Pierrepont
knows nothing Of Babcock's position in
the matter, and does not doubt tina. he
would give all the information he has II
called upon. Judge Pierrcpont cannot
believe Bristow guilty Of tho matters Of
which he Is charged.
The ruth appears to be that Secretary
Bristow's great success In prosecuting and
convicting the members Of the whisky
ring has given him popularity and
strength that command great respect
here, and hold his enemies at bay; and it
u but justice to say that the charges
against him are believed by very few, a1d
they generally Of the class who earnestly
wish they may be true. He is probably
the most popular member Of the Cabinet
with the present Democratic House Of
Rsprese n,s.ivss