Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-03-03
CttRitUPTfON INB1GmPLACEs.

sslis Presidential EavOrs-Fifty Dol
lars Paid In Hand the Price-Lotter
Of mr. Emerson Etherfdge of Ten-
ncssee--IIOw the Fraud wasExPcscd'
From The Washington Constitutional Union OF
FridayJ
We call the attention Of our readers 10
communication from the Hon. Emerson
Etheridge of Tennessee, calling attentioh
= to new mode of obtaining the release ON
parole of prisoners OF war from conilne-
nent. The facts disclosed are certainly OF
an astounding character, and well worthy
of earnest consideration. There are thous-
ands OF anxious parties In the country to
whom this subject is one of the most absorb
ing interest, aud they cannot but feel the
most intense Indignation upon learning tnat
the levying of black mail is carried on SO
openly beneath the caves Ofthe White House.
The matter should be at once examined IN
to and this foul reproach instantly removed.
The President owes it to himself and to the
country that this imposition upon his be-
nevolent credulity should be promptly
checked and severely punished, else cop
perheads" will be liable to think there Is
collusion somewhere.
HOW PRISONERS OF WAR MAY BE DISCHARGED
During the present week a young gentle
man from Gibson county, Tennessee, came
to this city, for the purpose, if possible, OF
procuring the discharge Of five prisoners OF
war at military prisons in the Northwest.
He brought letters to the Hon. i. Ander-
son of Kentucky, invoking his assistance.
This morning Mr.. Anderson started him to
the President with statement IN the fol-
lowing words and figures:
PRISONERS OF WAR.
Benz. Bobbitt, Camp Morton.
S. d. Anderson, Camp Morton.
A.. v. Afford, Camp Morton.
w. L. Eastwood, Camp Douglas.
Jas. f. Thomas, Camp Douglas. t..l 4
am not personally acquainted with the
above named persons, but they are recon-
mended by ten true men with whom am
personally acquainted) as proper persons
to be permitted to take the oath and return
home. From the recommendations and in
formation received, ask the President to
permit them to be released on taking the
oath of December, 1868.
LU. ANDERSON.
In the forenoon of to- day. the young gen.
tleman referred to appeared at the Presi-
dents with this paper and asked TO be per-
mitted to present it. He was informed by
G. OLeary, who is in charge of the door of
the Presidents Office, that he could not be
permitted to enter. Subsequently, upon
being informed OF the object Of the call, he
was taken aside and told by O'Leary that
if he would pay him fifty dollars he
(O'Leary) would take charge of the papers
and procure the Presidents order for the
release of these prisoners; that otherwise ne
would have to remain for many days with
out any probability of having an interview
with the President. He saw two other per-
sons on q similar errand pay money to
O'Leary, and saw the desired papers, few
minutes afterward, given by OLeary to
such persons. The young gentleman had
but little money at the hotel; nothing like
that amount with him. He left the papers,
however, with 0'Leary, and reported the
facts above recited to me.
l went with him Immediately to the Pres
ident's house, intending to ply simple and
rustic part. With some difficulty sue
ceeded in disarming him OF all suspicion,
and arranged with him to pay the fifty dol
lars so soon as the Presidents order for the
discharge of these prisoners should be hand
ed to the gentleman above named. OLeary
promised to meet him at his room at the Ma
tional Hotel (taking the number), at pre-
cisely o'clock to-day, when he was to
bring the order of the President for the re-
lease of the prisoners, and receive the
amount stipulated. remained out of sight
until the order Tor the discharge OF the pris-
oners was delivered and the money paid.-
Just as O'Leary was bowling himself out, l
Intercepted him, forced him back into the
room, denounced him as swindler, and
caused him to surrender the money (thirty
dollars, that being the amount which he
had agreed to take finally, because of the
assurance that nothing would be advanced
for two of the prisoners, and the inability
of the gentleman to pay more for the
others.
The order of the President for the release
of the prisoners is written on the paper
which was signed by Mr.. Anderson, and is
in the following words:
.''Let these men take the oath of December
8, 1868, and be discharged.
"February %, 1866. "A. LINCOLN"
Just as O'Leary was taking his leave he
gave to his supposed victim his address, and
urged him to inform the relatives and friends
of prisoners of war that they could have
them released from confinement by apply
ing to him and paying ten dollars in each
case. He gave his address, which l have
in hisown handwriting: &c. OTeary, Ex-
ecutive Mansion, Washington, d. G."
1 make this matter public from motives
of humanity. During the last year have
made many applications for the discharge
of prisoners OF war upon the terms mention
ed in the aboveorder of the President, but in
no instance have been successful have
often written to the friends and kindred Of
prisoners that there was no end to their
captivity but peace. rejoice, however, to
be able at last to inform those who feel an
interest in the matter, that a cheap and
remedy is within their power.
Commissioners of Exchange may disagree,
Butler may higgle about his niggers, but
ten dollars enclosed to &c. O'Leary, Ex-
ecutive Mansion, Washington, D. c." will
restore any repeDtant rebel to the blessings
of freedom and the society Of friends.
rpp Ws 10 EN-. ETHEMDGE.