The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-07
WARS WRINKLED FRONT.

The President's Father Again on his Muscle
"You Dirty Rebel Democrat, What bid You
DO that For e''
The Cincinnati Commercial says:--
About three days before Jesse Il. Grant left
for Washington to see about his confirmation as
Postmaster of Covington, and various other i'm
portant matters concerning the offices in this
vicinity, including the Newport Postmastership,
Mr.. John Marshall, q well-known business mau
of Covington, at present freight agent in this
city for several railroads leading out of Cincn-
natl, addressed letter to Senator Drake, at the
capital, in reference to the Covington Post
Office.
The letter was very short. 1t merely stated
that out of the thirty thousand people who com
pose the population of that city not more than
thirty (and they all ofiice-holders or office
seekers) desired Jesse X. Grant to be postmaster
of that place; that, in behalf of the people of
Covington, he protested against the confirma-
ton by the Senate of Father Grant, and hoped
Senator Drake would use his influence to have
him rejected.
Father Grant had not been in Washington an
hour when this epistle was placed in his hands
by some one, and he waxed very wroth thereat
He vowed that if he ever got back to Covington
he would thrash the writer of it. Jesse has been
at home about week, keeping quiet until news
of his confirmation was received. The glad
tidings came on Wednesday, and on Thursday
he sailed forth to hunt up John Marshall
Meeting on Madison street his old friend Squire
A. j. Francis--the Squire is one of the old
friends of the family that has never been ap-
pointed to oflice-he inquired where Mr.. Mar
shall lived. The jolly magistrate directed him
to the corner of Eighth and Scott but in q
moment seeing the object of his search on the
opposite side of the street, escorted Mr.. Grant
over and in .roduced him to Mr.. Mashal in front
of the hatter's store. The following highly in
terestng conversation then took place, Squire
Francis having modestly retired:-
Mr.. Grant-Are you the Marshall that wrote
letter to Senator Drake about me?
Mr.. Marshall (smiling)-I wrote letter some
time ago to Senator Drake, protesting against
your confirmation as Postmaster of Covington.
Mr.. Grant (nervous and excited, and clutching
his cane)-You dirty Rebel Democrat, what did
you do that for?
Mr.. Marshall (coloring somewhat)-I want
you to understand, Mr.. Grant, that am no
Rebel, or Democrat either.
Mr.. Grant-They told me in Washington you
were a Rebel Democrat.
Mr.. Marshall-Nobody told you that unless
John s. Nixon did. 1 never voted for but one
Democrat in my lite, and that was Judge
Kinkead.
Mr.. Grant-And you think l am not fit for
Postmaster of Covington9
Mr.. Marshall-I said nothing in my letter
about your fitness or unitness for the position;
but YOU well know, Mr.. Grant, that a very small
number of people in this city desire to see you
enjoying that lucrative office.
Mr. Grant, suppose yon would like to have
the place yourself.
Mr.. MARSHALL should not object to IT,
Mr.. Grant, have saved to the Government,
| since ! have been Postmaster of Covingtol,
| $4,000.
Mr.. Marshall-Yes, suppose you have; but
it has been done by your hiring clerks at star
vation wages, when the department at Wash
ington allows all postmasters q liberal amount
for clerk hire. With all your boasts about
economy and saving money for the Government
notice you never declined an increase of your
owR salary.
Mr. Grant-You are pretty Republican to be
writing such letters as that about me.
Mr. Marshall-I claim the privilege of writing
what please, 80 that it Is the truth, and / will
do it, even though it concerns the Presidents
father, or the President himself. Mr.. Grant,
do not wish to converse any further on this sub
ject. Good day.
The parties then separated. Father Grant
probably thought that inasmuch as he had been
unanimously confirmed, he could afford to let
Marshall 20 without the promised thrashing.