The New York herald., 1876-09-20
WASHINGTON.
Trial of General Babcock for the
Safe Burglary Conspiracy.
CHARACTER OF THE JURY EMpAyELLER
Republican Fears for the Result
in Ohio.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON Sept ID, 1870
THE SAVE BURGLARY coNsPIDACY--rRIAL OF
GENERAL DABcocK coMMENCED-A JURY
WHICH Is LIKELY TO DIsA0REE-MR. ALEX
ANDER ON THE CONSPIRACY AND Ex-CHIEY
wHITELEY ON THE TESTIMONY.
We have entered upon the second series OF the murky
plotting and contemplating of detectives outside law
yers and witnesses which has marked all the phases Of
the safe burglary trial heretofore and tho consequent
indictment OF General o. f. Babcock, the Presidents
late private secretary. From tho first tho gamo
has been on ono sido tho other TO
reduce tho testimony and witnesses TO inextricablo
confusion and ncredibiliiy Most admirably hav0
they succeeded. II amounts almost to and
has all the outlines OF adaptabity to tho construction
at least OF stage rascality intrcacy. The first part
OF the farce Tor such II is, to-day consummatod
In the selection OF called jury Tho government
was handicapped by the provisions OF law beyond
which the presiding Judge, Humphreys, could not 60
IN the allowance OF but three challenger whlo the
defence were allowed four. AT first counsel claimed
that they were entitled to eight challenges each, but
tho Court ruled not These soon exhausted, and
some, though not Objectionable yet certainly
most acceptable, jurors wero solicited Tho 1rst who
was sworn in and passed. II not In bad taste, would
ordinarily. at least havo put impartaty to the blush
for he proved TO DO other than walkcr
the conspirators tho safe burglary assembled
tho night Of April %. 1874 OF which conclusive
timony has been taken before tho Congressional
mittee Next was John W. Freeman colorcd, who
has worked under General Babcock the public
grounds, and last was william Ferguson, who IN tho
estimation OF unprejudiced lookerson
hang the jury he seemed anxious got at all
hazards for tho sake OF the revenue It brought
Mr. Columbus Alexander, the person most Interested
In the trial, and who affected by tho alleged
conspiracy, interviewed In regard to the jury Hc
Is old citizen of Washington. but says hc
know them and appeared very much dissatisfied with
the different elements composing It. So far as thcil
probable bias concerned he apprehcnds even now
that tho jury will disagreo and has almost made his
mind up to It. Ho tried hard TO keep colorcd of,
he thinks they would not be likely decide UNDER
standngly tho evidence. What ho expects to prove
in regard to General Babcocks guilt Is that he in
terested in breaking him down by destroying his cred
ibility during tho Investigations which mndo by
Congress into District affairs in which Mr. Alexander
and his friends wero important aud persistent w.t.
nesses against tho thon existing Board Of Publis
Works, Of which General Babcoek was Super
vising Engineer In tho mattor OF measuring
tho improvements made about tho public
buildings and srounda 1t appears that they
striving TO show falso measurements tho part OF
General Babcock, aud also that S drawing money
from tho Treasury before tho work actually done.
Mr. Alexander says:-''Wo were tracing tho corrupt
paymon: OF $97c0 by u firm Of contractors named
DcGoyer McClcllan, and followed up TO cx-
Governor Shepherds Office whero partner of his
ceived large amount OF tho money II necessary
then," he adds. 10 strike down, and hence thoy
got up the saio burglary business show tho
mitteo what sort OF man was and effort waG
mnde 70 break down tho investigation but l turned
tno0 III klv IN thCu nv int ha Safo hupu
matter, which the committee took up at once. and
thcre We beat them."
The most important witness will bo Mr. II. Il. O.
whitley lac Chief of tho Treasury Department socrot
Service, who is charged with putting up tho whole
spIracy job. Ho said TO Mr.. Alcxandcr:-"I want to
clear myself and want to toll the whole truth. was
employed to work n up. was not 10 bo benefited.
but was doing It for tho who werc TO be pene.
nted."
General Babcock's completely In charged to have
sisted principally in having caused ex-socitor Ban
field Of tho Treasury Department TO telegraph 70
Whitley In effect the following
"B wants TO you. Como over"
"Somcrville Now York lawyer. also ON trial, pre-.
pared the depositions of Michael Hayes and Of William
Benton, alias Walter Brown. In jail TO convict
me-, said Nr. Alexander, fccngly no turned over
tho pages OF printed evidence and pointed to thcF
lengthy depositions the Ono OF the worst fes.
lures Of the present byplay Is the activity Of Mr. A.
d. Williams, o lawyer who 10 supposed have liked
up tho jury in tho Green trial and who II charged with
manipulating jurics for counsel He WAS indicted Al
ono OF tho consprators and with Chief Detssuvs
Clarvoe and Major Richards Superintendent OF Police
on tho night o Tie safe burglary, and with District
Attorney Harrington, followed up tho burglars "a
Columbus Aexander's house Tho principal burrlar'6
namo was Benton. Mr. Williams has been busy al day
getting up list OF and looking after tho jury
District Attorney Wells on being asked whcther all
hn WAr uhrfun at
said thoy were not Ho expresses himself boina
entirely satisfied with the jury, and thinks. all things
quick, strong trial ON both Sides" Mr.. Whitley was
questions which elicit his Testimony In the caso
Tho trial has created great dcai OF excitement high
Quarters and s ramcations will DO found TO extend
notable ex-ollicias " not circumseribed By
counsel or the Hating out Of Witnesses
Attorney General Taft Is understood to bo busiy
engaged to night IN giving his personal attention the
careful preparation ot tho sale burglary trial q
SEQ that the government will not IN any way be AZ
fault overlook anything which should properly he
by IL to protect Its interests and full and
iair trial by bringing out all the testimony which
should be developed by II
CRY ToR MORE MoxXY-coRPoBArIoxs 70
SEND THE REQUIRED BARREL
great deal solicitude is manifested hero smons
republicans In regard to tho campaign In Ohio Among
those who have watched It's conduct there closest a.
well as what Is dono here there apprehension fels
that everything not all right and that weakness
prevails in tho management Of Il IN some imporsan.
respects In support OF this u Y recalled by those
convcrsant with the history OF tho thing that
last year, when Ohio had become tho most importans
state tho elections, there some difficulty about
providing Tor tho campaign cxpenscs and until near
election day the Chairman Of tho State Executive
committee continued unrcinforcsd with sufncions
funds for the campaign Considerable dissasisfaction
with tho National Executive Committee grew out Of
this AID exAssistant Secretary Cowan Of shs Interior
Department, was charged with being the obstacle TO
Ohio's thrifty conuiIion. When the charge made
directly 10 him he lodged that he did not think
OHIO ought 70 have any moro money, as she already
had $40 OO0. and when ho Chairman OF the state
Executive Committee, that sufficient 10
run tho campaign. Upon being reminded