The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-31
JUDGE BLoDGETT'S CASE.
A. C. HEsINa TELLS THE COMMITTEE HOW TIE
UNITED STATES COURT FIXED BUSINESS
MATTER FOR HIM.

A. c. HEsINa TELLS THE COMMITTEE HOW THE
UNITED STATES COURT FIXED A BUSINESS
MATTER FOR HIM.
CHICAGO. ILL.,. Jan. 80. 1879.
In the Blodgctt investigation this morning MIR. A.
c. Hesing. president OF the Illinois Stats Zeitung
Company, testified that he had been intimate
friend OF Judge Blodgett for twenty years. wit
ness Of the founders of the Germania Insur-
ance Company, and after the fire he owed the com
pany $4,000 secured by 40 shares of Soats Zeiiung
stock; he went to Judge Blodgett in person to
secure the appointment Of Mr.. Woke as assignee
of the company. Ho appealed to Judge Blodgett. as
friend to assist him out Of great business difficult
ties and to help him dispose of the note without pub
lcly advertising it. Judge Blodgett promised to do
what was possible, and advised witness to tell Mr..
Woke (who. meantime had been appointed assigneeD
to solicit offers from bankers and brokers and
submit them 70 the Eoaft, ana nc n SD9uge KY,
ders. Judge Blodgett had been fully informed
by him that the stock was very valuable.
having accrued dividends on ii, and that Bodgett
might help the witness to get 1t back; witness said
that though 1t might not look honorable IN him 10
popular In the United States courts. he would in
duge in IL himself witness had written the bid OF
Rehm for the stock aud had dictated the bids OF sew
erai of the bankers three OF the heaviest creditors
of the Gernania Insurance Company had objected to
this arrangement with Bodgett at . meeting OF the
creditors, and witness had to give them $4,000 to
keep quiet about it.
HARD SENTENCE.
On cross-examnation the witness stated that Judge
Blodgett had sentenced him to two years imprison-
ment in connection with the whskey frauds that
he considered that sentence infamous. and that
President Grant had equalized 1t to three months
He manifested considerable feeling on this point,
but said he had never told anybody that he would
be revenged on Judge Blodgett He had, however:
said that when opportunity occurred he wouia te
what he knew about Judge Blodgett.
WHY HE PLEADED GUILTY.
On being asked why he pleaded guilty OK the whis-
key frauds witness said that when the cases Oh ush
and Pohmau were in the hands or the jury Juuge
Blodgett called four jurors into his room and told
them no wanted verdict OF guilty, ana that snch .
verdict was brought in The rest OF the whisky
men then concludes to plead guilty. Mr. Winston
told tho witness that Judge Bodgett waited the wit
meas TO plead guilty and ''lay down on District At
torney Ward. Witness paid winston $500 to use
his influence with Blodgett IN his behalf winston
not nav him money. winstown advised witness to
employ Mr. Campbell ~ counsel ~ The had the car
Herman Rustcr, Of the Staots zcitg. testified that
he considered the stock OF the paper in 1874 worth
Also Der share; lately OF it sold for ninety
five cents the dollar.
HEsrNa GOT THE sEcunrr1Es.
Henry Grcencbaum testified that at the instance OK
Hcsna he had offered $4,000 Tor the notes and stock
of HesiuQ 70 the dcrmania but had subsequently do
$1,000; witness considered the stock valuable and
isil had told friends that tho dividends twenty
william Henry smith. General Agent OF the wcst-
ern Associated Press testified that the value of te
Associated Press franchise was generally fixed by
Chicago papers at $6O,WV 1t was difficult To state
tts exact value.
| The committee here adjourned to meet at tho
house OF MIR. Woke, assignee OF the 0crmana Insur-
ance Company, he being confined TO his room.