The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-13
SHERMAN'S JURY.
THE CUsTOM-HOUsE INVESTIGATION
who Is Mt the bottom OF Them:

Secretary OF the United States Treasury (Johr
sherman) is generally considered, and with
Rood ana SUFFICIENT reason, the prime mover
ID the political prosecutions In the South, and
particularly In Louisiana. and 1t has BIZ gen.
orally pellevet that the present United States
grand jury sitting at the New Orleans Custom
House was specially drawn and organized with
| tne Indictment OF prominent citizens In this
state In view, but no one until very recently
Imagined that 1t could or would be used any
| further than In helping John Sherman to the
presidency. But recent proceedings taken In
connection with the late successful move to gain
| possession OF the Custom House at New York,
indicate that the pending investigation OF Gus
| tom House officials arises from something
more than an excess of virtue. or desire for sat-
isfaction on the part of the persons who are
pushing II. and point to John Sherman as the
| man who Is pulling the wires.
The movements Of certain we'll known indi-
vlduas and their close connection and intima-
cy with the members OF the United States grand
jury. several days ago attracted the attention OF
a representative Of the DEMOCRAT while he was
pursuing his inquiries regarding the employ
ment OF grand jurors In the Custom House.
These men were entirely too familiar with
certain jurors. Visiting them at their houses
and button-holeing them at the door OF the
grand jury room. and entirely too mysterious
In their actions. their visits to the jurors being
paid after dark and their conferences being
held In whispers. to escape the observation OF
even the casual observer. and to admit OF any
doubt even In the minds OF the most unsus-
pfciouS that they were at the bottom Of and
were pushing to the top some big thing or
something they considered big one
IL did not take long to ascertain that they
were the men who, were furnishing the inform
atlon 10 the grand Jury regarding the irregu-
larities Ia the Custom House. This was all
right, 80 far as 1t vent they no doubt put the
grand jury IN possession OF a number Of facts
OF considerable importance; facts which In ali
probability would have resulted in indictments
DeIore this against certain prominent officers
intended; but as 1t was known that one or more
OF the m had been taken care Of by the existing
by being employed. their mo-
cation on this point resulted In information
which leaves no doubt that the party form
RING IN THE INTEREST OF JOHN SHERMAN
The ring is composed of Richardson, who Ia
Radical journal OF Chicago: Mortimer Carr.
the record ing OF whose name Is all that IL |
necessary for bis Identification: man BY the |
another by the name Of Thomas. whose pres
ent occupation 10 unknown. and two or three |
members OF the jury.
These men, IL Is averred. have been In corre-
9pondence with Sherman. and claim to have
been instrumental In securing the nomination
Oh Gen. Badger. though 1t must be stated. In
JUSTICE to that officer, that there Is nothing
which would indicate his connection with the
ring; and, on the contrary. there is testimony
lending to establish the fact that he repudiates
them.
Sherman needs the vote Of this State In the
convention as much as he does that of New
YORK, and as the present administration has
shown their Inability to control the Republican
vote, their places are wanted for men who can
carry 1t. and hence the ring and the investiga-
ion Tor the purpose of furnishing founda-
ion for removal.
There can be no doubt that but for the inter-
erence OF the United States District Attorney
indictments against certain Of the officials
would be on file before this date and the success
y the ring and the ringmaster would be com.
Dlete: but as Ii Is there is delay and one which
nay prove fatal. With Smith at Washington,
md other persons whose places are jeopardized
lighting sae combination In this city there Is no
cling what the result will be. There are pre-
lictions, however. that. no matter what the out
ome IS IN other respects. the Interference OF
he District Attorney will cost him his head as
Don as the political trials are over.