Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-04-14
GRANT AND ASHLEY,

GRANT And ASHLEY.
Gen. Grant pledged himself to
appoint only honest men to Office.
He has given a striking exemplifi-
cation Of this determination in the
appointment of Mr.. James M. Ash
ley, formerly a member of Congress
from Ohio, to be Governor of Mon
lana. 1t was known before his APP
pointment that Ashley was an ap-
plicant for the Governorship of one
of the Territories, and strong
protest was sent up from Republi-
cans in Ohio against the appoint
ment of this man because of the
gross corruption which marked his
career in Congress. Mr.. Ashley
was a member of the Thirty-sev-
enth Congress, the first under the
Lincoln administration, and had
been in the previous Congress upon
the Committee on Territories. He
was well posted on "big things" in
the Territories, and determined
to get cshtrol of the important Office
Of Surveyor General in Colorado
He found the man he wanted to use
in Francis M. Case, of Indiana, and
his plans in connection with the Of
fee and the man are fully explained
in his letters. Here are few ex-
tracts:
WASHINGTON, d. C., March II, 1851
My Dear Case have made some pro-
gress to day about the SurVeyorship to
1 Colorado. In order to secure the Indiana
delegation and - to operate on Smith,
the Secretary of the Interior, ! have
promised that all the sub.appointments
shall be made by US jointly, giving
| them the first choice. Now,
Frank, this is the best Office, in my iudg-
ment, in the gilt of the President, and [
would resign to-day if were sure
could keep. it four years If you
get it, want to unite with you as a
full partner in all land speculations and
town sites. have worked earnestly and
hard for you, and hope to succeed. You
/ do not stand as much chance for the
Marshalship as you do to be struck By
lightning, and Kingsbury is not much
| better-a little. This is on the SQUARE
Truly yours, j. NJ. ASHLEY.
From a second letter to Mr.. Case
we extract as follows:
WASHINGTON, D. c., March Is, 1861.
Ny Dear Case Everything hangs on a
hair. You must use the telegraph to
obtain letters; and have them forwarded
to me at once Let the writer send them
to me instead of you
This is considered the best appoint
ment in all the Territories, and is the best
of all the Territoritorial appointments
| want to have an interest with you, if
get the place, in the city and town lot
speculations. The Pacific Railroad will
60 through this territory, and if will be
fortune to us if | can get it, There are
Il 6OllC hitl VI dDpllCatlOnS lOI H.
- has promised to help me.
Write immediately-make the letter
plain and unequivocal as to the appoint
ments have promised, so | can show it,
and on a separate piece of paper say
what you think of my proposition for
city and town lot speculations.
will probably be chairman of the
Committee on Territories, if we can carry
out the programme to elect Grow Speak
er, and your brother Charley Case, of
Indiana, Clerk, and then will know all
tories, and post yoa in advance. Write
one letter for me and the other to show.
Damn your business in the Williams
County Court Write and telegraph.
Truly. J. NJ. ASHLEY.
A third letter went into the part
nership more explicitly We make
the following extract:
WASHINGTON CtEY, March I9. lS6I.--
Ny Dear Case Our matter is in better
shape to-day. The President promised
me that this appointment should not be
made until next week, and said l should
have a fair hearing.
Now, one word as to ourselves. 1t is
agreed that my brother Eli is to be chief
clerk, and my brother William, who is
now in Colorado, shall have such posi-
ton as he can fill, he having always been
a farmer The other shall select when
have more time. The surveying con-
tracts, etc, we will fix after the appoint
meRt by meeting at Toledo or =, BY
agreement with -, and others.
Now, if get this, | want to be a full
co-partner with you in the purchase of
all the real estate that you may make in
that Territory. have spent good deal
of time and some money to get this place,
and if do get it hope you will cheer.
fully 60 with me. have drawn up the
enclosed agreement, which | wish you
would sign and keep, and copy one just
like it, sign it, and forward and return
the other agreement
Let me hear from you by return mail,
and hurry along any letters and tele~
graphs from men whO can have influence
here In haste, yours, truly,
J. NJ. ASHLEY.
Francis NJ. Case was appointed
Surveyor General of Colorado
Eli NJ. Ashley was appointed his
chief clerk; Galusha A. Grow was
chosen Speaker Of the House; and
James NJ. Ashle y was raised from
the bottom of the Committee on
Territories to its top and made
chairman. And this is the man
Grant appointed and the Radical
Senate confirmed Governor Of Mon
tana. The people Of that Terrific
ry protested earnestly against the
appointment of Ashley, and recon-
mended one of their own citizens,
but it made no difference with
Grant; he persisted in the appoint
ment of Ashley, and the Senate
confirmed the nomination by a
majority of one vote, But num-
bnY, of Senators WIN would MOI