The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-04-26
Morton TO the Front.


United States senator is once more
brought into odious prominence, this time
In connection with the whisky ring
thieves CT Northwest Missouri. This is
unfortunate for the champion OF Pinch
back and the proprietor of the "bloody
shirt" but 1t is, nevertheless, true. Those
OF our readers who have kept track of the
whisky ring frauds, trials and convictions,
will remember that the city OF st. Joseph,
Missouri, was only second to st. Louis in
the magnitude OF the frauds practiced
upon the government. The city for years
was the rendezvous of a gang of conspirs
tors and thieves, who shielded and
aided by Republican officials, robbed the
government. Among these scoundrels
we're two Republicans who, had the conf
dence of the party and of Grant t.
such a degree that both of them were
appointed to important ffices. o ne, Charles
B. Wilkinson, was made United States col
lector, and the other, John L. Bi.tinger,
was made United States gauger. The Sc
two men were brothers-in- law, and part
ners in the publication of the 81. Joseph
Herald, a sheet as Intensely partisan as it
was possible for two Republican official
thieves to make it. Wilkinson omitted no
opportunity to slop over on the subject
OF loyalty. He glor.ed ia stabbipg Demo
Gratis with his pen, while himself, his PSF =
ner and their peper, lived off OF money
stolen from the government and from the
~. y al al IT,
prises as offered. Bittinger was honored
with a seat in the Missouri Legisla-
ture, where he was known as the Pill
ant tool of any scheme that had
for Its object public plumber. Botn
of these officials were known
10 be scoundrels and were so publicly de-
nounced by ]. II. R. Condif, editor OF the
St. Joseph Gazette. So much for the ante
cedeuts of these men. Upon investigation
it was found that both had been robbing
the government. Bittinger was arrested,
tried, convicted and has been sentenced to
the Missouri penitentisry. The counts in
the indictments were numerous, and he
was found guilty at one term OF the court
Then 1t was discovered that his villanies
had been but half unearthed, and he was
overwhelming, that he weakened, sneak
thief that he was, plead guilty and is now
wearing his striped clothes. This infamous
official, it is claimed, has Senator Morton
for his friend, who Is pledged to intercede
tor his pardon. The FAC. is AWAKENING
considerable interest In the section where
Wilkinson andl Blttinger are well known
and a correspondent of the Chicago Trib-
ane, writing from Topeka, Kansas, places
the Indiana senator in a position which
will make it necessary for him to rise on
his crutches aud explain. The writer,
who signs himself Republican" says:
The recent arrest OF Charles b. Wilkinson,
late United States collector at st. Joseph, Mo-.
and with one John l.. BitttDger, the late
owner and editor OF the st. Joseph Herald, Is
about TO let In a food Of light upon the
crooked whisky business in Missouri and the
OF certain politicians OF Kansas
and elsewhere.
Francisco a few days sipce, where he had just
arrived from Austraiis, TO which country he
fled last winter when lightning struck from
Washington. An interview with him has al
rea y been published, and his friendy at st.
Joseph, Missouri, clai m that he intends upon
his arrival there TO make pub lie the crooked
OF various government officials,
and also OF certain prominent Kansas and
Missouri politicians. The most important
reported in the published interview
with W iIkinson iR, the fact that Senator o. p.
Morton, with Others, have been attempting TO
intercede for the notorious John L. Bittinger,
and have committed themselves so far as TO
favor his pardon for his almost innumerable
crimes. This act OF Morton viii seriously af-
feet him In the National Republican Conven-
ton, and oueht 10 destroy his chances OF
IL eny he had. In this matter he
may have only committed a mistake, but In
politics 1t is such blunder as 10 be denom-
mated q crime.
Bittinger Yves TO Northwest missouri what
Mcdonald was TO the whisky ring in st.
Louis, and, Ii Blaine had interceded for Melon
aid, or tried 70 have him pardoned, he would
be com pelled to retire as a candidate for presi-
dent. Why not Norton? This is the time
only for clean men, and In this MISTER Morton
Is smirched. Bittinger and Wilkinson ran the
81. Joseph Herald. One was collector and the
other was gaugy r, and they organized the
whisky ring In Northwest Missouri. Bittinge-
has been convicted In the United states Dis
trict Court at jefferson City, before Judge
Krekel, of having bribed a witness 10 leave st.
Joseph TO aid the indicted whisky ring.
Der If counts in an Indictment in the same
court, for fraudulently obtaining oney and
pay as gsuger Of the United states when he
was member OF the Legislature. He has also
pleaded guilty of having conspired with Joyce
and others in defrauding the government out
ofits revenues. Indeed OF all the whisky sim
chiefest o. ten thousand" He Is to be
sentenced on Saturday by Judge Brekel.
FOR what reason, and upon what ground,
such an b. and shrewd senator as Morton
could have interfered in his behalf Ii inexpli-
cable. 1t Is said here that he did 20 to please
Senator Ingalls,, OF this state, who, for some
unaccountable reason, has acted friendly TO
Bitunger. This Is no excuse. Httinger hiss
violated his oath of ofice: has been convicted
OF numerous offsnses: has defrauded the gov
eminent, and has pleaded guilty 10 the charge,
and does not deserve any leniency or mercy.
Senators Morton, Ingalls,, and the other SEN
ators VINO have Tried TO befriend Bittinger
should have urged his punishment, and
should ave thanked the president and Bris-
tow for the vigorous prosecution which was
successful in disclosing his crooked uansac-
tons. The attempt 70 obtain pardon Tor
Bittinger looks Suspicious, and, II successful,
would have defeated the words OF Grant-"Les
no guilty man escape"
Comment 10 unnecessary. Senator Nor
ton may have believed 1t to be bis duty to
urge the claims of Pinchbsck to seat in
the TInited Ststea Seuate He may believe