The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-02-12

ernment and satisfactory TO ourselves Mr.. Douglass,
the Commissioner showed me a copy OF the letter In
his own handwriting think Mr.. Douglass said his at
tenton had been called certain Objectionable ex'
pressons in the letter. and he cautioned 70 beware
OF persons who used such expressions; shortly after
the investigation
Witness was briefly cross. examined but nothing new
brought out
J.. W. Douglass ex-CommlssIoner of internal Revenue
was next put ON the stand and said Durng 1878 1874
ana 1910 there were efforts constantly made 70 ferret
out the frauds that being perpetrated several
revenue agents were sent to ST. Louis in 1872, but
received no definite information from them later
Brooks and Hoge were sent out especially TO look into
Bevis and Frazier's affairs and that firm paid the
government $40 600 as q compromise; when | sent
Joyce 10 California II was 10 get him out OF the way
OF the agents whom sent here and who complained
Of an excessive attention on his part, wining and
dining them, so they could not do any work Melon
aid and Joyce never camo to see me much whom they
were In Washington; had q conversation with Mr..
Rogers in regard To the Investigations in tho West
BABcocK's INTERFERENCE
! remember showing him copy OF a letter received
between the 10th and 18th OF December, written by
Brooks, saying that the delay would prove equally
profitable TO the government and gratifying to our
selves, or something of that kind; the copy Of the
letter was shown to at the White House by General
Babcock; no said gentleman had shown 1t TO him
and ho was afraid was being deceived by those men
he said would hold responsible their conduct
told him that had great confidence in the men; he
said what might sensitive man like Logan say II he
saw that letter." Babcock told me that the letter
had been given to him conhdentialy, and requested
not to say where received IL from after the visit
OF Mcdonald TO Washington remember coming out Of
about St Louis matters; cannot say exactly what
said; we talked about revenue agents coming here;
once, in 1874 Babcock came to my ONCE and talked
about the supposed charges against Ford, who
dead at the time; told him there were no charges
against Ford, that the charges was getting up
against the living; he asked what examination had
been made, and said something about backenng the
memory OF Ford; the only way mans memory could
be olackened who was dead was by an examination;
afterward Babcock came to see me about sending
brd-a thrush, thlnk-out West; he only came to my
office once or twice altogether that | remember
some two or three months before Richardson went
out OF office had talk with the President and told
HIM things were crooked In ST. Louis, and thought If
proper investigation made It would result largely
to the benefit OF the Treasury he concurred with me-
and asked when was going to begin; tho 25th Of
January 1875 addressed letter 10 the Secretary Of
the Treasury regard TO the change of supervisors
the rumors of frauds, beginning in 1877 caused TO
write this letter; afterward Secretary Brlstow
into the Office and We talked the matter over, concud
ing to wait until the fall elections over;
waited, and then there were number of Senatorial
elections aud had to wait until they were over;
then we found that in the midst of the Presi-
dental election and that another obstacle after
that we arranged to make the transfers
Letters were then produced and read In regard TO
the change Of officers of internal revenue including
General Mcdonald to Philadelphia and Mr. Tuition to
St Louis
BABcocK TRIES HIS INFLUENCE AGAIN
The witness then proceeded After addressed the
visors were made had conversation with the de-
PENDANT; the conversation commenced by his calling
my attention to the subject he told me IL was
wise measure and would result in bringing such
strong pressure the President that the order would
have to DO recalled, which would be unpleasant for
me; the conversation held at General Babcock's
room in the White House; the President was not pres
ent; don't EepSsnber to have had any other CONVEX
sation With sue defendant about the matter this trans
fer te,ake place the 18th of February; noti-
fed heC2rtes by telegraph on the 4th that the order
=" THE FAMOUS REVOCATION
GIonel Dyer then read the Presidents revocation OF
the order as lollows:-
'ExEcurrvr MANSION, WASHINGTON p: c,l
Feb. 4, 1875.
sIR-The sPresident directs me to say that he de-
that the circular order transferring supervisors
further orders LEVI p. LUGKEY.
Witness identified the following as having been re-
ceived by him
To J. W. DOUGLASS. Washington d. c. =
Don't like the order II will damage the govern
when I sec you j. MCDONALD
The following was identified by witness as his an
swer TO the above
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 1875
To john MCDONALD, ST. Louis
The order of transfer is general and only temporary
Witness also identified the following
WASHINGTON, March 7, 1874
To john A JOYCE Revenue Agent st LOUIS
I need an agent make an investigation in San
Francisco the place of sewel made supervisor and
ordered home.
Can you go there for me-say for four mon,hsS
j. w. DOUGLASS.
Mt Douglass identified the following
To J. W. DOUGLASS Washington =
Shall be pleased to serve the honorable Commissioner
can benefit the government
Before starting should like to consult you and get
my Instructions. JOHN A. JOYCE.
The following was identified and read
WASHINGTON, March O. 1874
Not necessary to come here Will write you full In
structions OF Supervisors at San Francisco
J. W. DOUGLASS.
witness said Il didn't want him to come and find
out why was sending him away.
The following was identified by Mr. Douglass
WASHINGTON, March 9, 1874
IT, n II
You have permission to 90 out Of your district to
follow up frauds J. w. DOUGLASS
The following was identified written by Avery
WASHINGTON, March 0, 1874
To JoHs W. BRowSIEx, Newcastle, Pa =
You have permission to outside OF your district in
following up evidences OF fraud. J. w. DOUGLASS.
ST. LOUIS, March 10, 1874
To W. DOUGLASS Washington
When will my instructions TO go to California DO
hereS J. A. J0YCEn
The answer was as follows
WASHINGTON March 10. 1874
To JOHN A. JOYCE, St. Louis
Full instructions will be mailed to San Francisco.
J. W. DOUGLASS.
The following was identified as in Avery's handwrt-
ing
WASHINGTON, June 4, 1874
To J. A. JOYCE, San Francisco
You may return to ST Louis soon as practicable
]. W DOUGLASS.
Mr. Douglass identified the signatures OF Rogers and
Joyce to the following
ST. LOUIS, June 20, 1874
To J. w. DOUGLASS, Washington: =
desire TO make a report, in writing and personally
the Pacific coast investigation.
JOHN A. JOYCE
WASHINGTON, June q, 1874.
To J. A. JOYCE St Louis
You have permission TO come the business men
toned in your telegram.
H. G. ROGERS, Acting Commissioner
The witness shown despatch from Hoge, but
did not Identify his handwriting. Judge Krum looked
at It and admitted the handwriting. 1t read as toll
lows
CINCINNATI August 8, 1874
To J. W. DOUGLASS, Washington
have Just received information showing extensive
frauds In ST. Louis in 1871 and 1872 II ono Woodward
applies for authority don't grant IT, IL is not neces
sary have the same Information and more con
elusive Send Brooks and we ferret II out
JOHN 7. HOGE
A number Of kilograms shown TO the witness
for Identification but not read being reserved for in
PRODUCTION al another time.
Colonel Dyer wished read despatch signed by GEN
eral Babcock but the defence objected and IL went
over Several other dispatches, either to or signed
by General Babcock, identified, but withheld
The following was IDENTIFIED
WASHINGTON, Feb. s, 1875.