The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-08
PIERREPONT CRITICTsED
The Git of tho Report of the House Ju-
dietary Committee.

dtCinrf tOmmittec.
WASHINGTON. March AT the meeting
Of the Judiciary Committee Of the n ouso to-day
the sub committee, OF which Scott Lord IL Cbair-
man. and to which was referred the reply Of At
torney General Terrepont to the House resolu-
.ion-in effect by what authority and for what
purpose did be issue the letter to the Western
District Attorneys-msde to the full committee
ther report. Owing to the precedence OF othor
important matters before the House II cannot
be presented for several days. II is understood
that the line Of argument by which the action OF
Attorney Gensral Pierrepont Is severely criti-
cized was substantially stated In THE SUN OF
yesterday. The last part Of the famous letter Is
the text OF the report. 1t is as follows;
write this by way OF abundant caution, for dc.
sec 80 e IN $ Ssg T say az. oss TS ns
honest Judgment q the homes. men Of the eonntIy.
one hs. been perseeuisd from malIcc, aud that no
no suity one who has been proysd guilty or confessed
himself guilty has been suffered to escape punishment
Tue Judiciary Committee holds that an ac-
complce er neccssttdtc oonfesses himself guilty.
and could not escape punishment under such
determination OF the Attorney General, al.
though from evidence essential to the Govern
msnt. No one claims, nor has It been claimed,
that any proposition was ever made TO let any
guilty one escape. merely because he has oon-
fessed his guilt. Attorney General Pierrepont,
In view OF this position, wrote the letter Of in
structions to the District Attorneys. In order
that the position Of the Attorney General might
be fairly and truthfully before the ommittee,
he consented that certain statements made by
him should be laid before the committee, which
were printed In TIE Sun yesterday, stating
what had occurred to influence him TO write the
letter, alluding to the complaints made to tho
President and himself OF o combination that
was being made % shield crime by accusing 10.
nocent men, which statements were also included
that, in the light Of ali these statements. there
Attorney General gave the Instructions to
prevent scandal 10 the administration Of
possible wrong Of criminals combining to pro.
tect themselves by accusing others. Therefore
II became necessary to Instruct bis subordnates
whether proven guilty OF confessing tis guilt,
escape" The Attorney General also sent TO the
October, which the committee admits to he IN
full harmony with the rules OF law. The query
eonsusns % % with the Secretary % OF the Trea.a1y
who has charge by law OF criminal pro.ecu-
tlons Of offenders against the revenue lswsf
The question was then presented whether the
instructions Of Mr. Perrcpont were In contra
vention OF law Prom several authorities thu
Law IL quoted, showing that both on account Of
public policy and judicial necessity accomplices
have slways been admitted to testify The au-
conspiracies and exposing them by such a rule
therefore immunity is offered to an accomplice.
In the case In point. II Is suggested that Ia q
OF tle Mississippi, In Wisconsin, and eise b ere,
BY closing the mouths Of accomplices millions
which have so recently startled the country
The answer Of the Attorne y General that he de-
sired to protect innocent men, u met hrst, by
pocent who claimed to be falsely charged. or
said that they were to be falsely charged. Ap-
parently the most respectsbIe citizens have
who a, Srss earnestly claimed that they
were Innocent. The question then arises,
Why d!d not the Attorne y-1 enefai leave these
the Treasury didf The authorities. 4 h alleged.
furnish perfect answer 20 the AtS yuey-Gen.
eral's course, for no favor o. immanlsy can be
granted unless u appears to the Court and jury
told the whole truth 20 btnseh and co.
ishment 10 aggravated thereby. Under the
rule of the Attorney General. based upon
statements to the Presidents and himself.
plioes the crescent oonsplracies are safe, and
new ones can bs formed no sccomplice IN crime
is honest en- rough to testify without some hope
Of favor. IL further appears that the Attorney
General intended hks letter only Tor his subordi-
mates. This would answer their full purpose,
suading an Accomplice to testify without reveal
ing TO him the fact that his confession and dis
closures n to others could not benent him. II
is further stated that important testimony was
suppressed by reason of the letter, and that
Gen. Babcock Understood that such would be
tbe effect appears from the fact that, without
authority. he secretly sent eopy OF the letter to
his attorney.
In view OF The fact that the action Of Attorney
General Pierrepont was In contraventiOn TO the
lone-estabIished rules of law relating to testi-
mony Of accom- plioes In crimi nal cases, and in
view Of the tendency which IL must have TO
promote conspiTacies and take from the courts
a right OF long precedent, the committee Will
report resolution calling upon the head Of the
Department OF Justice TO immediately revoke
hts Instructions III the letter addressed to the
United states District Attorneys al Milwaukee,
Chicago, and st. Louis.