Year: 1876

WASHINGTON, July 81 1916
BLUFoED WILSON BEFORE THE wHrsKEY CON-


MITrEE-How THE WHITE HOUSE WAS


DRAWN INTO THE scANDAI-THE PRESIDENT


RELIEVED OF ALL opPRoBRIUM--AN INTER-


EsTING STORY.


The whiskey Committee had Bluford Wilson before
them to-day, and succeeded in getting from the
ex-Solici,or of the Treasury compre-
heusiva account OF the IN
which tho White House was drawn into
the scandal. The testimony Of Mr. Wilson, happily for
country and the dignity OF the Chief Magstrncy,


lifts from the President much, not all, Of the oppro
brum which he incurred through his friendship with
the members OF the famous whskey Ring The testi-
mouy reads like the chapter of a novel. Tho following
It's important portions-


The President was advised OF tho movement soon
as it became apparent that the investigation would
really lead to the capture of considerable portion OF
the whiskey Ring He cordial in reference to the
matter, consulted freely with regard to the changes
which should be and which were desired by the
Secretary and the Solicitor and in all respects COOP
Grated fully IN the movement


Wilson was questioned as to whether thero
was any difficulty procuring the indorsc-
mcnt upon the Bernard letter which contained
the words '1.et no guilty man escape II 1t be
avoided " and answered tnat so far he knew there
was none and that as the Endorsement was printed by
tho Presidents permission, he took 1t Tor granted
that the matter entirely voluntary his part
The Endorsement made upon the letter which
made certain charges against Casey, the Presidents
brother in law in connection with Jcwett OF the
leading distillers, and tho further statement that
one OF MeDonald's friends charging openly
upon the street. after his Indictment that the Pres
dent would not dare to proceed against him. NC





If he did II would end Babcock In regard to this let.
ter the President expressed the utmost confidence in
Babcock and declared that he had bclet whatever
that he was III any way connected with the ring in ST.
Louis and upon that letter he the celebrated
Endorsement Tho testimony OF Wilson this particular
rcucs tho charge that hc he is trying represent that
the President unwingly gave expression TO this ia
nous sentiment


Tho committee then insisted upon Wilson inform
ing them at what time, any the President changed
his opinion in regard to tho prosecution. In reply
Major Wilson said that up to the time of tho discovery
OF the ''Sylph" despatch, which convinced Secretary
Bristow and tho Solicitor that it showed the connection
OF Babcock with the ring the President cordially CO.
operated in all movements for tho overthrow OF
the ring, but that after that there grave
differences between himself and The President, and
many obstacles were thrown the way tho prose-



President and tho department. Tho substance of the
Major Generals testimony upon this head to tho
effect that various after the discovery OF this
despatch the President; under the influence Of charges
that brought to him against the Solicitor and aso
statements in reference to the methods by which the
trials conducted bad exhibited great coolness
the matter and as these dispatches
cleared away the President again cooperatcd- These
conditions seemed to alternate with each other from
the time OF tho discovery OF this despatch until tho
time when the Secretary and the Solicitor left the
partment


Upon being questioned as 10 the FIRST matter OF
difference between the President and himself tho
conduct these trials he related the loving story
After Macdonald had been indicted and upon occa-
zion OF the visit of the President TO ST. Louis, at
which time 1t will bo remembered tho statement
was tclcgraphcd from that city that the Prcsi-
dent and General Babcock had both declined
all communication with Mcdonald, the Solicitor
had strong for believing Joyce, Nc.
Donald and Babcock would be in consultation
during th,t visit He thercupon wrote letter to
Henderson, the government sc asking him to use
his Secret Service in observing tho movements OF
Joyce and Mcdonald, and said to him, In emphatic
terms, that the whole conspiracy must be
ferretcd out and exposed from top to bot
tom This letter, 1t seems, was stolen from
General Henderson and gwen to Mcdonald, who,
In turn gave to Babcock In tho meantime the prose-
cuon in 81 Louis had asccrtancd the fact that McDon
aid and BaDcock in communication during tho
Presidents visit Upon tho return OF the President
Washington he for tho Secretary of tho Treasury
and informed him that hc had in his possession pos
tive evidence that Solicitor Wilson had during tho
Presidents visit to ST. Louis ordered tho government
counsel to put detectives upon tho President aud
watch all his movements. Upon Major Wilson'S ar.
rival IN the city tho Secretary sent for him
and reported this statement, and gave him the
further information that tho President insisted
upon his pcrcnptory dismissal Upon this
Major Wilson denied TO tho Secretary that
he had written any letter Of tho kinds that had