Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-10-23
The Missouri National Bank Muddle.

The affairs of the defunct National Bank of
the state of Missouri are creating quite stir.
There has long been a scandal concerning its
management, duplicating many prominent citi-
zens of Missouri, men high up in business and
political circles. The cases presented by the
grand jury seem to be so sweeping in their
range and Importance that so far it has been
found impossible to find judge willing to try
them. The judge of the court before which they
are to come has gone to Europe, on leave'of alb
Sence, and the other judges express great un-
Willingness to take hold of the matter 1t is
known that the department of justice has asked
several of them to conduct the trial, but they
have plead other business The attorney gen
eral has said that he would find somebody to
conduct the trial, no matter who it hurts. Dis
trict Attorney Bliss has charge of the prosecu-
came on to Washington to consult with the At
torney general It is understood that the state
ment made by him was overwhelming against
the supposed participates In "the great bank
Swindle."
THE RUMORS ABOUT CONTROLLER KNOX.
Controller Knox, who has supervision Of all
national banks, has come In for share of the
scandal In the rlmors growing out of the affair.
He was before the grand jury when the banks
affairs We're investigated. The receiver of the
bank, Mr.. johnson, says that the foreman Of
that jury said In his presence that he was very
gland the controller had come, as the jury
might otherwise have done him an unintentional
wrong. Recently District Attorney Bliss
has written letter to the Attorney General on
tents of which have been variouSly given, but
all statements agree that it says that the CON
troller is rendering aid to the defense.
WHAT CONTROLLER KNOX SAYS.
The STAR reporter this morning found Mr..
Knox in his Office. He asked him about the let
ter Mr. Knox replied: 81 have seen it, OF course.
1t is principally devoted to statements adverse
to Mr. johnson, the receiver. and ex-senator j.
B. Henderson, who has been employed as coun-
sci for the defence. 1t also states that am not
aiding Mr.. Bliss as should. He evidently thinks
hot Tow np icyfc hi,
&dT:-Have you anything to do with such
prosecutions?
Knor:-The controller of the currency has
nothing whatever to do with criminal prosecu-
banks. Whenever complaints are made to him
by any one, such complaints are referred to the
Solicitor for examination and such action as he
may deem eXpedient; with advices that addt-
t1Onal information may be obtained from the eX-
aminer of the district in which the bank is locat-
ed, or from the files of this office. The district
attorney in st. Louis from the outset has had all
the information at my command as well as all
the books and papers in the possession of the
receiver. MI. Bliss severely critciZeS the action
OF ex-senator Henderson, who is quite capable
OF replying to his insinuations. The same course
has been pursued by this Office in reference to
the criminal prosecutions of the officers of the
National Bank of the state of Missouri that has
been always pursued in previous cases.
&dr:-What is the matter with Mr.. Bliss?
KnOr:-He seems to be seeking notoriety and
in time will probably get it.
WHAT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BLISS SAYS.
The ST Louis Post Dispatch has an interview
with District Attorney Bliss. The reporter in
qu1red: "Did you say in your letter to the Attor-
ney General that Mr.. Knox had narrowly es-
capped Indictment by the same grand jury that
indicted the directors and other officers Of the
National Bank of Missouri"
II did not l did not say anything about pro-
eeedings before the grand jury in relation to Mr..
"What is the ground Of complaint against Mr..
Knox"
"Do you think it looks well for one officer of
the government to array himself against a
brother, officer when he is In the discharge of
his duty. l have right to protest against his
taking sides with the defence in these bank
prosecutions"
'Have you the same fault to find with Mr..
johnson, the receiver of the bank?"
why not, when Mr.. johnson Is nothing but
the agent of Mr.. Knox"
RECEIVER JOHNSON
was also interviewed. He said: $50 far as 1 am
concerned l don't care two figs for the COM
plant. am conscious OF having done all that
the law required of me, and certainly no man
could decently dc, or decently ask more. So far
as the controller is concerned, he, too, has
done all that has been, or could be required OF
ance OF the Dist rict Attorney, and found hos
tile grand jury reaching about and around gen.
orally, and for two days gave them the direct in
formation he had in the matter and great deal
of general information of the workings Of the
banking system, and this SO fully and cordially
that the foreman approved, in my presence. in
abiding me adieu, said he was very glad he had
come as they might have otherwise done him
an unintentional wrong"