The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-08-11
Conclusive Proof of Babcock's Connection
With the Robbery The White ssz. Srss.
House Encircled by
the Ring.
How Grant Bought $4,000 Outfit ser
Three DOllars--The 0Onspirators
Secres Interviews With
BsboOck and the
President.
he story of .sSyIph''-A 81 200 Box of
Cigars-Origin, Incidents and
End of the Ring.

General John Mcdonald, OF ST. Louis as
Il is well-knOvD, has a book in preparation
living the secrets of the Governmentrevenue
-aude. We give this morning extracts from
q book as published in the st. Louis POST
ispstch OF last Saturday. The book will
ontain over 600 pag e:
HOW THE RING STARTED.
According 10 General McDonald's account,
made In 1871 Collector Ford ~ first refused,
nd a consummation OF the scheme was for
ne time being. prevented Ford, however,
icing menaOcsd d by removal If he did not con-
sent, finally agreed.
GRANTS KNOWLEDGE OF THE RING.
Mcdonald says: ''There was, repeat, an
Understanding ostween the President, Ford,
yce and myself that a ring should be
med, the proceeds from which should con-
ftute a campaign fund, to advance the in
rests of the administration.
THE FIRST RING MONEY.
"Tba first assessment was made in Septem-
sr, 1871, ,j0st after Megrue arrived. can not
1--WE the minute details of the collection and
disbursement Of he1llicit fraud tor the reason
that there was no rule established for the gov
ernment of the ring members in their oper-
atoms. One month an assessment OF $4,000
may have been levied on the distillers and rec
tiders and during the next month five times
chat sum may have been called for. Much de-
ended on the demand for money made by
3inistration cOospirators and the demand for
zeal purposes.
BLAcKMAILING AGENTS.
"In addition TO this the Washington segment
the ring was in the habit of sending Com
1lSsiOus into the District for the sole purpose
If D!ackmail J can have no doubt that
1ogue, Brsshear and others who appeared here
revenue agents, We're sent by Babcock and
Sc OF soaring the st. Louis officials into the
.ymeDt of large sums of moHey for their ST.
nee. More IMAM .OOOU0 was paid out OF the
ad in this way. and that some OF this money
mt into the White House has always been
positive belief. . g
TROUBLE IN THE RING.
Grants collision with the ring consisted in
utilization OF corrupt money TO secure his
election. After this purpose was accom-
.dsned was anxious TO see the ring organiza-
on dissolved. because its TaTnificatiOns were
o extensive anu iUciuded such a vast number
Of men of every character that was in CON-
slant dread OF public exposure. Time and
again talked with the other managers, urg-
ing the danger of our position and the bad
policy OF continuing the corruption after our
purpose was accomplished. l laid the matter
efOre Grant, no referred me to BabcOck,
hose judgmen ut he relied upon. The
administration at length concurred in the
pinion that the ring could be run successfully
y creating fund to advance Grants third
srm aspirations. Harmony again prevailed
mong all the members of the ring"
THE FIRST INTERVIEW WITH GRANT.
.cOonaId and Ford visited Washington in
rch, 1871. Ford dined with Grant, and
Donald and FORD called at the White House
Sp. m, and had an interview with Grant
out the cam paign fund. "After salufing
rs. Grant, we retired 10 the Blue Room and
pent a long while thoroughly ca pvassing the
chemes for creating a campaign fund. The
resident distinctly informed Mr.. Ford that he
nd intrusted certain matters to me- that he
lderstood ever thing, and that whatever we
7anted would be forthcoming upon request"
THE TEAM N DONALD GAVE TO GRANT.
Concerning one of his gifts to Grant, Gen
raj Mcdonald says: On the first Monday iu
ctober, 1874, the st Louis Fair opened, with
'resioe ent Grant, Secretary Borie and Genera
SabcOck In attendance. Grant and Babcock
lere my guests ct the Linden Hotel. Soon
gagged In conversation with him at the Lin
5sIl. l reminded the President that on his pre-
lords team to drive while IN the city. but,
Added, since our friend is dead, 1 presume you
lhave been at a loss for the use of such horse
flesh as you have been accustomed to driving.
1 then Inform MIN that had a team which,
while ii was not the fastest In the world. was
fair 10 drive. he responded: Wei, Nc,
never knew you 10 own a bad horse, aud IL
you have a pair OF Serviceable roadsters
IN use them tomorrow by driving them down
will gladly accept the use of them while
here. On the following day had the team
hitched up and drove them around TO the ho-
tel for the President. Before he got into the
buggy 1 said, You may find them little slow
ut first, but can touch them up with the whip,
ma when you get well out on the Gravois
Road, tighten the retns and don't think you
will have any trouble getting four minutes out
of them.' .Ifer
"He then stepped into the buggy with secre-
tary Borie beside him. They drove out to the
farm, twelve miles from st. Louis, and re-
NAMED absent till evening. 1 received the
cam after his return. and taking them to
stable short while afterward, in company
with my wife. called socially at the Lindell,
and met there Colonel Joyce and his wife, Mrs.
Grant, Mrs Borie and a number Of others.
Secretary Borie came mp to me. and placing
mis- hand Familiarity upon my shoulder, re-
marked. General, never had finer ride In
the President IS IN ecstacy over them !
"Just then President Grant greeted me and
said: Mack, never saw better horses. Why,
take I the w whip for When drew the lines % they
went like shot out of q gun. on should
!. have seen Mr.. Borie; he drew his feet in under
e seat pese6 ms fs na b1esT bow ns w ene
hand, and the seat with the other, he would
every moment ask me II didn't think the
horses were running away. In a moment
those horses and II you viii sell them will
give you $1,000 for them. 1 replied: Gen.
ersl, 1 don't want 10 swindle you in that
manner. for 5000 wouldn't have bought
hem. We 1oKed about the horses
ONE time. but before leaving him that even
ing told the President the team was at his
have much pleasure in them. His delight was
manifested by their almost constant use on
everal mornings, going to the stables himself
ource of so much pleasure TO the President,
At length told him that he should have those
horses. and for him TO think no more OF buy
ng a team. ascertafned that he had no
ansom buggy; so took 1t upon myself, as
Id him, to procure rig such as would buy
rmy own ornamental use as well as for ef-
"He thanked me, and declared that nothing