Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-02-14
GEN. BABCOCK's TRIAL
EesttmODY and ArSumenf SATURDAY.

After our telegraphic report OF the pro-
ceedipgs in the Babcock trial in St. Louis
closed Saturday, nearly the entire morning
session was taken up In trying TO trace
through telegraph clerks of st. Louis and
Washington, and also by the dOorkeeper and
messengers of the Executive Mansion, Seve-
raj telel rams not yet admitted. and prove
that they were received. aud sent back and
forth between Joyce aud Mcdonald at st.
Louis and General BabcoSk and Washing
tor. Finally the defence waived this proof
aS 10 OF dispatch, and allowed the follow
ing, admitted TO be in General BabcOck's
handwriting. to be read:
"HashiaC'on, Dec. Is, I87i.-Gen. John Nc.
Donald, ST. Louis, Mo: ! succeeded. They
Will not so. ] will write you. SYLPH."
Before this was read Judge Porter an
nounced that they proposed TO make q
lengthy legal argument against the aimis-
sion of the other kilograms, and perhaps they
might wish 10 include this ''Sylph" dispatch
in those objected 10 The defence wished TO
reserve that point.
Deputy Commissioner Rodgers was recalled
and testlhet:-I had conversation with
General Babcock In regard To the transfer ~
revenue agents. General BabcOck said that
ne Lad heard that Mr. Douglass was about to
Issue an order directing 4 transfer of agents.
l told him the order had that morning been
Issued; he expressed his regret, as IL would
bring political pressure on Mr.. Douglass,
and he would be forced TO revoke the order.
and that would work disaS trOuSly to them:
Mr.. douglass was at that time spoken of as
candidate for judge of the Court OF Claims;
there would be more or less Odium on hi m;
Gen. Babcock said on account of the failure
OF the enterprise when the order was reached
the interview came about by messenger
bringing NE either note or verbal cOmmu-
nlcaLicu from Gen. B2bcock, / had no pre-
yfCus conversation with him on this matter;
1 did not speak to him before n bout the Judge
ship Of the Court OF Claims; there was not a
word said III the conversation with General
Babcock at his house I'm regard 10 breaking
up the frauds mere. Mr.. Douglass was not
appointed judge OF the court Of claims, 8S
there was no vacancy. i DO not know that
the reyOkiuC Of the order changing SUPER
yisorS had east such otium on Mr.. Douglass
that he was not appointed. In the cOaverSa-
ton with General Babcock l told him
Should report the Interview 10 Mr.. Douglass.
On c1oss-eXamiuati0n the witness said: 1
had two interviews with General BabcOck,
the first of which sought myself. MY ulte-
nor object was 10 promote the interest OF
MIR. Douglass in connection with the Judge
ship Of the Court Of Claims, thinking, 10
doubt, mi gbt get the position held by him
as Commissioner. General BabcoClI eY-
pressed great friendship for Mr.. Douglass. /
DO rot know Ofany influence brought to bear
except from rumor, to have the order trans
fcrIing tthe supervisors revoked; think
m9de application by letter N General Nc
Donald to secure his assistance; I had no
suspicious OF him AT that time; the revOking
Of the Orter by the President would create
an impression that Mr.. Douglass was re-
Uked; the leading OBJECT of General Bah
cock was in Judge Douglass interest, a.
though ne spoke OF one more object, viz:
l3ving the President from being annoyed.
The opposition of the defense to the al
mission of dispatches alleged to have passed
between Joyce, Mcdonald and BabcBck was
carried To the utmost extremity. They
would admit nothing, tie clear proof of
which could not be produced. They required
lot only proof authorship and the tlaUSmiS-
Son by telegraph but that the dispatches
ere actually placed in the hands Of the per
SOILS TO whom they were addressed. So far
the prosecution nave satisfied the defense
only in one instances, that Cf the Sylph tele-
gram, given above
Tire dispatch which met the mos. deter
mined and persistent opposition is the one
sent from ST. Loais December }, 1874, TO GEN
eral BabcOck, az Washington, siguci -, :"
ard admitted 10 be Joyce's hand whiting, bat
II was not read and, therefore, It's contents
are not known outside OF counsel.
TIE dispatch was traced into the hands OF
George s. Joyce, doOTkeeper at the secre-
tarys office, Executive Mansion, Washing
ION, who reCeipted for II; bat as Joyce died
some time ago, there is TO positive proof
that General BabcOck ever received it. Other
dispatches were traced in like manner 10
dGOTkeepars and others, who receipted for
them. but those persons vino were PLACED on
the stand and testified to receiving and re-
Ceipfing for them, as shown by the receipt
books of the telegraph company, could not
identify or swear to the actual delivery Of
any particular dispatch 10 the person TO
whom IL was addressed.
The afternoon session was devotei entirely
to legal arguments as TO the admission OF
these I{lPvramS.