The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-22
Babcock's Trial at Washington.

1nefe seefnr 10 ne uttio 'h"s
the judicial farce which was performed mt
ST. Louis, when the private secretary OF
the President was tried for completely in
the whiskey frauds, Will be repeated ut
Washington, where he is now undergoing
trial for completely in the safe burglary
conspiracy. In the former case he was
saved from the penitentiary by the direct
interference of the President aud the
power exerted by his Administration. No
body doubted then, or doubts now, his
guilty connection with the Whiskey Ring,
for the proof exists under his own hand,
and III II did not the evidence from other |
sources is damning.
The formidable influences that pro-
tected BABcocK in st. Louis are again |
called into requsition by the same mo |
tives that inspired their activity on that |
occasion. He is the keeper OF secrets and |
Of papers that would utterly ruin some OF
the most prominent leaders in the Repub-
| lican party, IL published. His confidential
relations to GRANT gave him access TO
both, aud he proHted by his opportunities
to prepare for the contingency which has
4, come 10 pass MS last official act us secre-
tary to the President, was to steal PIERRE
POINTS circular TO the District Attorneys,
and to print II As means OF promoting
| his own defence.
That fact reveals his true character, and
shows the infamy of which he is capable.
! GRANT, and the Cabinet, and the leaders,
| and the tI1be of which HORACE PORTER Is
| the chef, who were associated with Bah
COCK in the Rings, know that to save them
selves they must first save the scoundrel
who is ready to betray aud sell their oonii-
dences. But for the investigation set on
foot by the Democratic House OF Repre-
sentatives, BABcooK would not have been
indicted at all for his part in the safe bur
glary. And even when the information
was laid before the Grand Jury, the loyal
District Attorney who is now to prosecute
HIM did not hide his zeal TO prevent pre-
sentiment
Ii NAV be asked what motive BABCoCK
1895. .--...s-.s--e 49, ---f~ 49,. -i...
The answer Is easy. A joint committee of
Congress were investigating the corruption
aud rascaities of the Washington Ring in
1874. BABcocK and SHEPHERD were part
ners in various enterprises, and intimately
? Identified in all the plundering operations
Of the Ring. The testimony of experts be-
fore the Investigation showed the most
barefaced robbery in all the appropriations
made by Congress, through GARFIELD and
his confederates, for the District OF Co.
lumbia.
The measurements, in every instance
taken unfortunately as test, were found
to be fraudulent. and the charges for ma
terial and work were equally false. Bah
COCK bad signed all the vouchers upon
which these frauds were perpetrated.
Every day was developing new facts, and
I public opinion was laundering at the
| doors of the committee. In this emer-
, gency IT was necessary to do something to
turn the tide. COLUMBUS ALEXANDER was
9 the chief prosecutor Of the Ring, aud gave
l himself up 10 the duty OF crushing IT. II
\ he could be silenced, escape was possible
z TO strike tins brave adversary down, the
% diabollcal plot was Matched OF charging
1 hun with the infamous crime which the III
d strumonts OF the Ring were hired to per
petrate. The District Attorneys Office
II was htlv chosen as the scene OF the bur
Il giary, and the Assistant District Attorney
10 now a fugitive from justice, was one OF the
II chief agents in the vllainy. The secret
e service of the Treasury, and the public
i money, were freely used to achieve sue
Ia cess, which only failed by providenlal
e interposlton. The Ring chiefs were all
= assembled at their notorious club house
n aud remained till the night was far al
( vanced. expecting to hear the glad tiding;
i of ALEXANDER's arrest and Imprisonment
But th5y were thwarted.
d II required some extraordinary agenc,
J. like that Of BADCOCK TO command tn
II services Of the secret detectives and thel
'c associates for a dangerous work like this
ID His position and his direction were SUI
d ncent for WHITLEY and his gang, VINO be-
8, hrved they were serving the Administra
ID ton in carrying out the conspiracy to ruiz
re ALEXANDER They provided the mean
d. aud the criminals to do the business, som
1t of whom are now serving out sentences il
"a the penitentiaIY Tor other jobs"
IT The prelminaries of the trial in Wasl
is ngton indicate pretty plainly what ma
30 be expected. In the first place, there WI
at much doubt whether to go on with It, q
II TO wait until after the election. When IT.
a Attorney General and the District Alto
- ney decided to try BABcocK at this time
they had the wires III their own hand
and pulled them in the interest OF IL
Presidents late secretary. IT has gone on
re TO the country that the jury is set up, All
ut that the manager OF this part OF the nus
ut ness is the expert who has been II Rim
or tool Il ON the beginning, and the organic
m Of the system by which the District of G.
~ lumbia was turned over 10 negro rule
ly OF the whole jury there is not one con
Ii spicuous citizen, There are three negroc
ir- all Of whom have in one way or anoth'
MT been employed by the old Ring. Thr'
Of clerks IN the departments figure side i
"a side with the black Jurymen. Two oth'
Iat whites ARE well known instruments
he Boss SHEPHERD, who, IL appears, was
be court giving BABcocK the benefit Of h
he moral support and countenance, ms ne d
n- HARRINGToN, when he was tried and, by
mt disagreement, escaped conviction of Il
al crime which he has since confessed.
Whatever may be the result of this trii
I'D ! in which tae prosecution is to be conduc