Litchfield enquirer., 1867-03-28
From the Standard. WILLIAM H. BARNUM F-R
THE HUNBUGaERRY OF THAT. FAMOUS WAR 'e-~ CHECK EXPOSED! -


 l +- .'-'- -- ~%~-.%s 5+3---- s~ ~+34@ *1AI41 2S I THE HUABUGaERRY OF THAT. FAMOUS cwAl | '>.--.--r CHECK EXPosEDi .--.
 l LAKEvILLE, March 18th, 1867. I MEssEs. EDITORS: William H. Barnum Esq, having been introduced to the publi, 1 with such flourish of trumpets by tha l portion Of the press in his interest, 1t may be we'll to clip the wings of such bombas 1 tic high flyers as Mir. w. D. Bishop ane others, with shortlittle history. ..s.
 They are making such 'Munchausen representation: about his enormous wealth patriotism and influence, among the labor CTS and others around him, that the state ] ment of few facts may prove a proper regulator An extract from the Hartford Times in recent number of the Iitchfeld Enquirer, would have the public to con. clude that there were no other men in Sal isbury but MT. Barnum, and his workmen whereas, there happens to be several others who have paid as iberally-'draw their cheeks, for as large an amount-traveled as many miles, and exertcd as much or l more influence in procuring soldiers for 1 the war as ever Mr. Barnum did. Nor did 1 those other gentlemen, when the Govern ment was exerting itself to the utmost to 1 raise funds to carry on the war, decry its securities and pronounce them worthless as did this would-be member of Congress. l Now for little of the history. When the first attempt was made in Salisbury, in town meeting, to raise funds for soldiers bounties, several patriotic gentlemen came l forward honorably and offered their single hundreds and fifties but this seemed aslow process in small meeting, whereupon Sam uel s. Robbins, George Cofing, N. H. Hol- ley, Wm. H. Barnum and perhaps Leo nard Richardson, at once proposed to guar antee the sum of $5000, that it might be raised without delay. ...... }.
 It was so raised, and by subscriptions oi the inhabitants of the town. MT. Barnum having no more to do with it than many other gentlemen. And it was MT. Robbin $ check which drew $4, 900 of the money, and not Mir. Harnum's: The remainder being ready on subscriptions, required no mans check, -sEf 1-srr At later period it became necessary to raise another sum of about three thousand dollars. The town meeting for this pur- bins son stepped forward and said to MT. half the amount necessary to be raised if
  This arrangement was made, and Mr. Robbins drew his check for as large an amount as was paid by Mir. Barnum. 'o{ The payment of the $3O00 was suhse- quently assumed by the town, and not paid by subscription as the other had been. . At that time Mr. Barnum was first select man, he, too, having commenced to swing round the circle, and had charge of this fund. A commission was allowed on en- istments at that time, and when MT. < Bar= nRmh FBWh osma 8s tq aahipat M h daeaopats with the him of making money out of the oommis. s:ons. They pushed him so hard, that he was compelled to come forward and make an explanation. His defence on this occa- sion, by the way, is the only speech ever heard of his making in any public meeting. Mark you, too, Messrs. Editors, it was not patriotic speech, urging men to enlist in the defence of our imperiled country, but defence of himself against the charge Of speculatilg in soldiers bountles
 1 the fourth District, that Mir. W. H. Bar num's war record will not appear to as good advantage in future times as that of Mir. F. T. Barnum.
 As to the devotion of the Iron Barnum l to the interests of American soldiers and sailors, it may be big thing, as boys say sometimes. but we do not all see it. The l impression which his friends would create, if possible, that Mr. Barnum is the great employer of this section of the country, Is quite absurd to those of ,,s who know that there is scarcely an establishment in which he is interested in which the preponder- ance of capital is not in the hands of his associates. s:.a -. .---..-.4 --
 | The business of Salisbury would not cease, nor would its patriotism die out al together, if Mir. Wm. IF. Barnum should be compelled to leave home md take g seat II Congress. .-.. .--..... :-....-.-;-
 There were many hearts and hands here devoted to the salvation of our beloved country, in the days of it's utmost peril with & zeal and earnestness that was neve dreamed of in the philosophy of this deye tee of wealth. A life decoted to the accumu lation of wealth, would hardly be esteemed ! as the most valuable or appropriate prepar ! ation for seat at the Council board of tn nation. II While we would bring no railing accusa tion against MT. Barnum, but would cheer fully concede to him his propeT place in tn community, we know that there are gentle men, his peers in influence and position of unimpeachable veracity and standing il the country who would not paint aA his busi ness transactions in the rose color that hi fugleman Bishop, or the Hartford Isme and kindred prints, would gladly impart t them. z L '.s-. ..- st
 1 Nothing but the effort to exalt unduly the name, fame and patriotirm of MT. Ba1 mum above that of his fellow citizens woul have called forth even this reference to him An undue. exalsation, involves the dan 5 ger of more disastrous fall. w. I A resolution which has passed the Micl s igan House, requesting the regents of th : state university at Ann Arbor to expel a :. students who took part in the rebellion. .hs greatly excited the students and the friend of the university. One of the former state }, that he recently handed to fellow sudden who had been an officer in the rebel army, paper containing the subscriptions for
 monument to the Michigan soldiers, and b subscribed more than any one else saying l "I fought those men; know what heroe
 they are, and here is to their memory!'IE THE LATEST RUMoR.-The' latest .rumt
 says that young Bennett's fame won tt