Year: 1873

RODMAN THREATENS THE RING.
1.-THE LESSER cULPRIT MADE TO APPEAR THE


GREATER"-A WORM TURNING on THE RING


WHICH CRUsHEs HIM.


The information that Assistant District-Attorney
Cullen was laborins to get witnesses to appear be-
fore the Grand Jury on next Monday, was cOmmuni
Gated to Mr. ROdman last evening by TRIBUNE
reporter. No difficulty was encountered in reaching
Mr. Rodmans cell the representations that he keeps
secluded and is disconsolate nearly all the time.
have been exaggerations. Naturally he is not in
cned to be cheerful under his present prosecution
by Kingsley and the Ring which he has served but
be is not without hope. Yesterday morning his
counsel, Mr.. E. Z. Wood. communicated to him in
telligence of some sort which greatly distressed
R0dman. and when the lawyer left him he burst
into tears in the presence of the jaeT The nature
Of this intelligence cannot be learned. Mr. Wood
has been one of the few friends who has stood by
ROdman from the first, protesting his belief IN his
innocence of any crime, and confident that he was
used by the Ring. Mr.. Wood defended his present
client month ago. in the columns of The TRIBUNE,
when it first made the exposure of the Ring Bank
defalcatons An affection has sprung up between
the lawyer and client. and Rodman's demonstration
yesterday may be attributed to natural causes,


But whatever reason he had to be disconsoste in
the morning. Rodman appeared in different mood at
o'clock last night, when The TRIBUNE reporter
called. He was sitting in his room, which Is large
one on the third floor. lately occupied by DR.. Irish.
looking into the courtyard. His coat was removed.
and in his hand he held letter. which he had evi-
IDENTIFY just been reading, and which had gwen him
some comforting assurance. He rose on the ap-
proach of the reporter, whom he had learned to
know during the Trust Company troubles and


txviat
be had anticipated hearing of bis conduct in the
morning In his first surprise at ROdmans manner.
the reporter said:


"You appear in good spirits, Mr.. ROdman. | un-
derstood that you quite discOnsoate this morn
ing"


"Yesv he answered, was depressed. but l am
feeling much better now. l have received letter
from the gentleman who left town the afternoon
after it was promised should not be arrested. IL
contains assurances that he will be here tomorrow.
and then | shall be bailed.'


81 understand, Mr. Rodman," said the reporter. oh
serving that he did not say anything about the
letter. "that Assistant DistrictAttorney Cullen has
sent letter to Corporation Counsel Dewitt, asking
him to have his witnesses ready Ito give evidence in
your case before the Grand jury on Monday" Thus
statement had been made to THE TRIBUNE reporter
by Mr.. Cullen himself, who said he gave the case
precedence as an important one demanding early at
tentiOn.


The reporters words were no sooner spoken than
Rodman, with great vehemence and Indignation.
and evidently without much reflection. said in
loud tone:


"There is undoubtedly an effort making TO crush
me by the men whom have faithfully served And
then he added after brief pause "It was sad
once-you recollect the story don't you--that man
lv IN
dragon and devoured him. Make your own appica-
ton" he added, with significant look. and turning
away he walked half across the room and returned.
That occupation gave him half minute for rehec-
ton and recovering his cautious manner, he turned
again to the reporter, and said slowly:


81 don't intend to say that was used in the in
terest of anybody. don't say took the chestnuts
out of the fire. but do say" and here he grew i'm
petuous again, " L do say have been made TO bear
the sins of those who were actually stealing. and
that by their shrewdness in operating they have
made the less appear the greater culprit."


Again he turned away, again grew cooler. and
when he came back once more and faced the re-
porter, who had disposition to interrupt his
mood he said calmly:


even the term of culprit dsavow. What hsvs
done has only been in obedience to orders. aud with
out any knowledge that was committing any irrcg-
ularity or fraud


He turned away once more and paced the room for
some time When. moment after. the reporter
again addressed him by name, he said. Don't ask
me anything more, have nothing more to say
now.r


With that he went to a remote part of the room.
and the reporter left pondering what ho had
heard and half convinced. as before he had
pected that Rodman in the Treasury had acted for
Sprague precisely as obediently AZ he had for his
annariOr in ha Trust Company