The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-15

more censurable, because the law commits
the prosecution of these frauds to the
Commissioner of Internal Revenue and
the Secretary OF the Treasury. The Attor-
ney-Gencral has, therefore, usurpcd power
which does not belong to him, and en-
ploycd ii to screen crime from punishment.
The extraordinary spectacle is thus pre-
scented of the Government seeming to pros
ecutc conspirators for dcfrauding the rev
cnuc. while its whole official machinery IL
used TO obstrIct aud defeat successful
prosecution Of BABCoCR The President
and every member of his Cabinet, except
Mr.. BRisrow. with all the official and So
cial influences which they control, are now
openly enlisted to secure BABCocKs nc
quttal, or n disagreement of the jury.
Power. money, intrigue, and villainy will
be employed without scrupc to save this
chief conspirator, not only because of his
relations to the President, but because
conviction would carry terror to hundreds
in political and private lifc who are now
sitting on the ragged edge of fear and de-
spair. GRANT would be compelled either
to pardon him, as is proclaimed to he his
letting him go TO the pcntentiary.
In this trial the lie of the Republican
party may be said to be suspended by u
hair. II is the last trial of any consequence
which the Administration intends to per-
nit Mr.. PfERREroNr'S notice means no
more prosecutions. II has already had the
intended effect. District Attorneys are
warned to stop, aud honestreven officers
have informed the Treasury that under
such a restraint their occupation Is gone.
Republican leaders in and ont of Con-
gros- have demanded that these prosecu-
tions should cease, because they were de-
stroyiug the party. They had more per-
sonal than political reasons for that ur-
gcucy. n is iCcN hpoirH that testimony CdS
iciHlhtid from the Grdnd turtles IN chicago
ditd hilcdyh,c mat on q trial ,cou'd be
opt 10 send scrcrol Republican Senators.
cr-Sonoiors, ana Representatives 10 The
| pcnitCntiurH II is also known that the
crust of these frauds IS barely broken, and
that vast mine of corruption i'm Califor-
mia and in New Orleans has yet 10 he cX-
| plorcd The party influences in Congress
are strong enough TO prevent the removal
OF accommodating District Attorneys ami
| Marshals who are officially connected win
these prosecutions. Superaddcd to that
protection. they are admonishcd by the
| highest law officer of the Government not
| to seek for testimony IN the usual way, or
| to offer any inducements of lencncy to
| the small cOnspirltors who would he able
toconvict heauthors of this great iniQuty
| This is the condition of the Whskey
| Ring prosecutions to-day. There is no
prospect that they will be pursued. The
| Administration is actively engaged in the
dark work of obstruction. Mr.. BRIsrow
stands alone in the Cabinet, distrusted,
hated, aud belied. His colleagues have
abjectly surrendered TO Executive dicta-
| ton, and are mere tools used TO defame
him aud to sustain GRANT and BAR
| COCK. The House of Representatives must
| therefore prepare for n rcsolute, down.
right, unsparing, and courageous investi-
CATION of the whiskey frauds as soon rs
the BABcocK trial is ended. The very best
men should be chosen for the service. who
have the ability, the nerve, and the integ-
| rity to 60 to the bottom of this huge ras-
cality, suffer who may. Now is the time
TO prepare calmly for this work, so that
resolution shall not be sprung on the
House by some hired instrument DELHI
| Grafton Is required, for this inquiry Is des-
tined to swallow up all others, and, prop
| erly conducted, to make mighty and "A
permanent impression on the public mind.