The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-02-25

wv ORLEANS, FRIDAY,
Secretary Of the Treasury-I think. at all
events, before Mr.. Bristow became Secretary
Of the Treasury-Mr. Douglass expressed
the idea to me that it would be q good plan to
occasionally change the supervisors around
from one district to another, and !
expressed myself favorably to it, but
of any more by me; but when it be-
came evident that the Treasury was being de-
frauded of q portion of the revenue that it
should receive from the distillation of spirits
in the West, Secretary Bristow called on me
and made q general statement of his sus-
picions, and then suggested to him this
idea On that suggestion the order making
these transfers of supervisors was made. At
that time did not understand that there was
any suspicion at all of the officials, but I knew
that each one of the officials had his own way
of transacting his business; that these distil-
lers have so much pecuniary interest in de-
ceiving, the officials would learn their ways
and learn how to evade them; and my idea
was that by putting new supervisors acquainted
with the duties over them, their crooked ways
would be detected. Those are the views had
and the reasons why suggested the change
He does not think that Babcock did ever
seem to influence his action in reference to
the order, and does not remember their ever
having spoken together on the subject, he
never having shown any interest in the mat
ter. He deposes that neither Babcock nor
any one for him has undertaken to prevent .
full or any Investigation of his alleged con-
nection with the whisky ring Of st. Louis, or
elsewhere; that Babcock has complained Bit
terly of the treatment he suffered after the
speech of Henderson in the Avery trial; that
since the indictment no effort has been made
to get it dismissed or to procure noIe prose-
qui, or to interfere with, or to prevent
the trial; that, so far as he knows,
Babcook never used any effort with
himself or any one to prevent the finding
against any perso suspected. with the Whisky
Ring of st. Louis; that since the finding of
these indictments Gen. Babcock showed to
him no desire to interfere with or prevent the
trial nor interest nor wish in that direction;
that he has never seen anything in the con-
duct of Gen. Babcock, and had never said
any hing to him which indicated that he was
in any way interested in or connected with
the Whisky Ring at St. Louis or elsewhere;
and, that as regards the public interests and
as to fidelity and integrity he has performed
his duties as Private Secretary always to depo-
nent's entire and full satisfaction.
The direct examination ends With the fol-
lowing:
Q,-Have you in any form observed or
learned anything in connection with Gen.
Babcocks conduct which has tended to dim
inish your confidence in his fidelity aud in
tegrity, and is that confidence in his fidelity
and integrity still unimpaired ana undimin-
ished? [Same obj sction az the next proceed
ing questlon.] Al always had great con-
fidence in his integrity and his efficiency, and
IS yet my confidence in him is mistaken. I
have never learned anything that would shake
that confidence. OF course ! know Of this
trial that is progressing.
Sundry differences are deducible from the
Presidents deposition. The first is that,
having become satisfied of Babcock's COM
potency, integrity and fidelity, estimated by
his own rule and standard, he trusted to him
without scruple at all times and in every par
ticalar. Following the habit natural to SOL
der, he first satisfied himself of the ability
and fidelity Of his chief of staff, and then
gave up to him many official details with o
feeling Of certainty that his private secretary
would act in each case as nearly as possible
as his chief would act in his stead.
The next is that Grant, in giving his entire
confidence to Babcock, assumed the sespon-
sibility to the fullest extent, and in all par
ticulars Of the action of his exponsntial and
most confidential aid and secretary. Ill the
off cial acts of Babcock are therefore TO be as
sumed as the acts Of his chief. Whatever
Babcock did of his own motion and with the
accord of the President becomes the act Of
the latter. II the trial proves the innocence
Of BAbcock it will prove no more: but if the
trial convicts BAbcock it must convict the
President by the same verdict.
AL that Babcock is known to have done
was under authority and instruction from
headquarters. All the official public acts of
the Executive Department are to be shout
dered by the Executive. Grant Endorses
Babcock as honorable, honest, true and faith
full If fair, full searching trial results in
the acquittal of Babcock, it will be equally an
acquittal of Grant as to all matters in
volved; but if BAbcock is convicted, it must
be held as tentamount to q conviction of his
chief QM facit per alum faci per Sc.
The Southern Republicans
held large meeting Wednesday night, and
to judge from the crowded state of the COM
mittee room there must have been large &C.