The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-16
GEN. BABC0CK'S DEFENCE.
DIABOLICdL CONSPTRACY TO BB
TRE1TED As 4 HUGE JOHE.


4 view of the safe Bu, gIary Cu-e In which
Father TAN aud District Attorney Wells
Concur-A Talk wstb Babe ock's Counsel.
WAsHfNGroN, Sept. 1b.-Mr. Cook, counsel
for Gen. Dabcock In the forthcoming safe burg
ltry triIl, says that the special charge AGAINST
his client Is not that he was connected with
what Is known ns the safe burglary. but II Ia a
charge that he united with Oti ers to injure tn 8
character of Columbus Alexander by creating
the belief that he was engaged In having the
safe in HrrinRtons Office broken into, and
hooks belonging TO John o. Evans taken from IL
for the purpose Of using them IN support OF the
memoir lists and against the District Govern
ment. lie also says that, as counsel Tor Gen.
Babcock, he attempted to procure trial In
July last. This failed and the case was set
down percmptorily by the court. and with the
concurrence of the District Attorney. for Tues
dav, Sent. ~. The Cove nmcnt has recent "
been endeavOring to postpone the case. his
has not teen done in any regular method, or
by consultation with hin (Conk) nut
otherwise and q mode that has been entirely
unprof,'sinnal The defence do not desirs
DostpOnenent OF the trial, but will resist IL IN
1t is understood that Mr.. Samuel sbellahareer
will assist the District Attorney. ana that Judge
William Fullerton OF New York VIII be assistant
counsel to Gen. Babcock. The chief witness on
the part Of the Government will be Hiram
whitney, who, Col. Cook says, has testified on
various occasions that hs knew nothing about
the burglary or persons connected with IL. In
rel ~ TO the question. how long II wouli take
to try the case. Col. Cook said. III the case Of
the Government should not he broken down,
and II becomes necessary to 90 into formal
defence, the tfial would last prob a month
OF SIX weeks. he witnesses for tue defence
will be more numerous than before"
Col. whitley, ex-Chtef OF tho Secret Service,
saws that he not only holds the letter Of the
Acknowledgement, Rr ntinR hin immunity from
prosecution In the safe burglary case, but ne
has the letter OF the Judiciary Co nmtttee Of the
House setting forth that he evidence furnished
bv him waA such as to entitlo him to mole pro-
stQlif on III the indictments that might grow out
OF The prosecution OF the cOnsptrators Against
Columbus Alexander. whitley saws he shall
tell the whole truth, and will be able to substan-
uate hts statements with proof that Will he un
pleasant Tor the leaders Of tue conspiracy to
have made public. Tho line Of defence will be
most remarkable, Dancocks counsel setting
tOrth that the whole AFFAIR Of the called safe
burglary was Intended only as joke. or that
the mOst serious aspect In which IL can be
viewed Is that the purpose OF the participants
was merely to break the force ( the testimony
Committed. aud that In doiug this thev we
JUSTIFIED. as the memOrtalists had ~ various
wh,s attempted TO mi re- the character Of nigh
Oncldls anu prominent citiLens. nd preju lice
the comuiites against pnrties holding Office
under tue ltional and Dist let Government.
Mr.. took says: " IL will be shown. VI necessary,
that there VS. not the slightest intention on
the part OF anyone TO seriousl iniure anvbody's
character aud ~ attemp.s To make u out other
wise Will fan" This POI iton uf BlpcOcks
counsel would be .unmportant N II were not
that District Attorney Melles regards the safe
burglary affair as huge joke, md So docs
Father Taft, he forming this opinion from what
ne has heard OF the inside history Of tue case as
related 10y the District ATTORNEY. Thus, instead
Of the triI proceeding fOr the purpose OF prose-
ouitng 40 base conspiracy a. was ever planned.
II II known that the prosecution and defence
are Ia harmony IN treating the charges on the
ID sis of a practical joke upon Columbus Alex
ander, the leader OF the memoralists.