The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-08-17
The Whiskey Ring Again.
Gen. Mcdonald, Of st. Louis, Telling
Unpleasant Stories Of His Re-.
publican "PalS,"

publican "PalS,"
And Describing a Method of Pro-
viding Champaign Expenses"
Revival of Which would Save
Mr.. Jewell and Gen. Gar p
field Much Trouble.
From the Special Correspondent of the World,
ST LOUIS, August 3 Ever since Gen.
eral John Mcdonald was released from
the peni,entiary in the closing DAYS of
the Grant Administration he has said
that when the time came he would talk
That time has evidently come In few
davs the manuscript of a hook to be
called "The Secrets OF the Great Whis7
key Ring" will be given to the publish
ers Mcdonald was Supervisor of In
ternal Revenue for the district comprs
ing Missouri, Arkansas. Texas, Kansas,
Indian Territory and New Mexico when
the ring was exposed, and he served sew
enteen months in the Missouri Peniten-
tiarv for completely in the frauds
To the World correspondent General
Mcdonald said this evening: 81 never
lied to General Grant in all my dealings
with him. He had positive knowledge
of these operations. The ring was
formed to raise money for the campaign
expenses in 1872, and Grant and the
leaders of the Republican party knew
it. When T.had laid the plans in my
district I went to Washington and told
Grant about them. His instructions
were to see Babcock and give him the
details and then we would be protected
from interference and trouble, by the
Commissioner OF Internal Rsyenue apd
the Treasury Department Douglass had
information of what was going on, but
begged not to- be informed of details
that his conscience might not be burden
ed. Rogers knew it as we'll as Avery,
who went to the peni.entiary with u.s.
| tell you the. Whtskey Ring formed for
the purpose of raising a campaign fund
had the sanction of the Administration
and was party measure. We sent
money to Morton to be used inFcarrying
Indiana and used 1t in paying the ex,
penses Of Republican speakers through
out the West. Thousands of it went to
keep up Republican newspapers and to
strengthen the backhones of editors and
make them for Grant in 1872"
"And you wore the stripes before you
would make all this known?"
IL did. Nobody can say that John
McD Donald ever betrayed friend Be-
fore my trial, in the fail Of 1875, Cen
eral Grant and Babcock were here. l
had been indicted, and they were afraid
I was going to squeal. They came to
see what could be done to save them.
selves, and when they found that l was
firm they went back to. Washington
leaving promises that I should never
suffer il sentenced. Then came my
conviction, and simultaneously with it
Babcock's indictment | was sent to
the St. Louis Jail, and they begged me
to hold off till Babcock could have his
trial. l furnished, under positive pledges
that they should be returned to me, q
batch of Babcock's letters to be used if
necessary in his trial, They were not
used. and never returned. Babcock was
acquitted, and that night he came to me
in The ST.. Louis Jail and pledged his
word that my pardon should come as
soon as be returned to Washington -
Almost the day after be got there came
the Balknap exposure, aud l was urged
to hold off little while longer. Their
the Cincinnati Convention was at hand
and there was possibility Of Grant be:
ing renominated, and once more was
asked to be martyr for my friends 8
little longer Then came the campaign
and as party measure I was asked te
remain prisoner till election. l walled
for the November returns, and / Saw
that Tilden bad the electoral majority
Then / said l would wait no longer
they must let me 60. had an address
drawn up in which l narrated the origii
of the Whisky Ring, told as briefly as
could what proofs had OF the compile
ity of Grant and other Republican lead
ere in the frauds. ] sent word that thil
document was to be laid before Procto
Knott's committee then investigating th
ring unless my pardon was forthcominI
by the Goth Of January, 1877 Ex.Gov
ernor Fletcher, of Missouri, came to th
penitentiary and read that paper. The
and not till then it was that my pardol
came" s}'
Referring to the loss of part of th
Babcock letters, General Mcdonald sal
they formed but very few OF what b
had and for which alone $4,000 ha
been offered. He exhibited letter atte
, letter, including many signed fictitiousl
!, and sent under cover, urging him to b
, steadiast and assuring him of sympath
and help from the White House. Thes
letters, he stated, would be printed
his forthcoming book, and with 9th,
documents, some to be given In fa'
simile, would leave no room for doul
! that the Whiskey Ring had it's ramific'
!, tions throughout the headquarters Of Il
Republican party. g
In reply to question as to the tin
: when the book might be looked for Il
: : General said: "The Republican leade
: are bringing every pressure possible Q
me to get the publication postponed ul
!, til after the election. They have frigh
ened one publishing house which BIS
:. already made commencement on Il
manuscript by threatening ,injunctio
= proceedings, Two or three others vi
= stood ready to take hold Of it have bet
: forced to refuse it by various polite
!. influences brought to bear. This b,
! delayed me and may necessitate d
: : going to Chicago or Cincinnati to bril-
: out the book, but it shall be published
: and tha. before the campaign is over
!; I gave the evidence to the Sherman an
Blain managers which they used effeS
!. ually at Chicago to defeat Grant, al
!. now they are begging me to hold it hat
!. so as not to hurt the Republican par,
= in the present campaign, for the Repul
lican leaders are as deep in the mira !,
' the White House" -.
, !,
y New York World. August 8. 1880, J,
Garfield and Colfax.