The New York herald., 1879-02-06
JUDGE BLODGETT'S CASE.
THE ACCUSED MAKES HIS STATEMENT BEFORE
THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE.


THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE.
CHICAGO ILL.,, Feb. s. 1879.
The Knott subcommittee met this morning.
Several witnesses testified that A. G. Hesing had
used violent language regarding Judge Blodgett and
had threatened TO pursue him. Judge Blodgett
testified that about April S. 1874. Hesng
and Woke to his room and said
Woke had Hesing's note secured by stock
for $4,000; that Hesing was bankrupt and judg-
ment would be disastrous; Woke said he was
not satisfied of Hesings insolv ency; witness told
him it was most important to know this; he asked
him how much the stock was worth; Woke thought
par; Hesng said it might be worth par to insider.
but not to outsider and insiders were unable to
buy both expressed anxiety to make the best pos
sible sale of notes; witness accustomed in such
to offer securities at special sale. according to
the law which he here quoted; Hesing agreed that
Woke had better try to negotiate this note with par
ties i'll the habit of dealing in such after full
ference it agreed tnat Woke should satisfy him.
self regarding Hesings insolvency and make reports
Woke was afraid that others who had been made to
pay in full would censure him; witness said nobody
could censure him for doing his best; day or two
later Woke reported that Hesng was insolvent and
asked instructions Hesing and Leake into the
chamber; witness then suggested that Woke ask
bids. and Leake Woke produced order which
witness approved; on the 10th Of April Woke re-
disappointed both Woke and witness: wit
ness then called on Mr.. Coolbaugh the
banker. who told him Hessing's paper
peculiar; Hcsing undoubtedly insolvent; the
-Zeittng was close corporation and the stock
valuable only to the controlling interest. and, there
FORE Woke would assume as much responsibility in
refusing accepting these bids; on the next Monday
afternoon. objections being raised, witness con-
tirmed the sale; never had any other conversations
with Hesing on the subject. nor intimated that he
would be favorcd; there secrecy.
for any. in these procecdines never knew that
Hesing had any interest in the purchase as finally
confirmed.
INTERFERENCE WITH THE GRAND JURY.
AS to the Grand Jury, did nothing to prevent the
full investigation OF Register Hibbards Office; on
the day the jury adjourned learned from Bangs of the
would lie: said Hibbard's reports were made under
my construction OF the law. which had given Hib
bard and whether right or wrong he ought not to be
indicted and Bangs should inform the jury and il
the jury wanted further instruction would give it,
witness then talked the matter with Judge
Drummond, who agreed there was much force
in the witness interpretation. and said it would
be great wrong to indict Hibbard under
asked If he had given the jury the message he sent
Bangs answered no. that the jury had considerable
feeling on the matter and asked. "What if they per-
sst? Witness then said that Bangs ought to with
hold the indictment; later two jurors came to wit
ness and said the jury seemed satisfied and would
have gotten through two days had they known
witness construction of the law; had no knowledge
OF any special business to come before the jury before
the pentres issued, except the Custom House
matter; the jury expenses had been large, and had
feeling that there was not the necessary despatch.
NOT INTIMATE WITH HEsING.
for assignee; he may have done SO; had said to
grand juror that improper for the Grand Jury
to call in lawyers to construe the law for them al
though intimate with Hbbard, never conversed
with him these matters; had been careful
not to prejudice his mind regarding
Hbbard by reading reports regarding his
taking illegal fees as it might come before him in
judicial manner; never intimate with Hesing in
any relation whatever; know him anenergetic
politician; knew him to be insovent in 1874 from
Judicial proceedings in his court but believed Hes
ing was honestly trying to make the most of his
assets Witness stated to Mr. Knott his reasons for
his construction OF the Bankruptcy law
Guy Magee testified that Hesing told him that Leon
ard SWEET wanted him (Hesing) to squeal on Logan
Farwell and Others but Hesing said he had nothing
to squeal about.
A. q. Hesing testified that in April, 1874 his per-
sonal property worth $10,0OO and unencuin-
bered, and an execution for $4,000 would have been
satisfied AS he had other valuable property; Judge
Blodgett was not party to the agreement between
Witness Leake and Woke to keep the order of sale
out of the newspapers
BORROWING FROM AssIGNEEs.
On the third charge, of borrowing money from as
signees, Mark Kimball, assignee of the Mutual Se-
curity Company, testified this afternoon that he
loaned Judge Blodgett 900 trust funds in 1872
five per cent, which was shortly repaid
o. H. Horton said he knew OF Judge Blodgett bor'
rowing $4,000 of James Long, assignee or the
Equitable Insurance Company, and giving notes, but
knew nothing to the interest, though the form of
the note given necessarily called for interest under
the State laws.
PREJUDICE ON THE BENCH
The fourth charge was then read. It accuses Judge
Blodgtt of wfully using the power OF the Court to
prejudice the rights OF and to oppress citizens.