The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-06-25
LIGHT on Life Insnrance.

The facts respecting the paidup life insur-
anco policy intended for Gen. GRANT are |
gradually coming TO the surface. We |
arc informed by the Erening Post that |
the scheme was first started by Gen. |
HORACE PORTER, one of the military |
secretaries at tho White House, and Mr.. |
JAMES WHEELER, his brother in-law. |
WHEELER, it seems, is employed as nm |
agent to procure business for the Equitable
Life Company, and, as such, receives hand |
some commission for every policy that is
issued upon his solicitation. A paid-up
life policy Of $4,000, which would cost
S27 900 in cash, would give to Mr.. WHEELER
about $1,000 as commission. Accordingly,
Gen. PORTER is said TO have written and put
into WHEELER's hands letter calling upon
friends of the President to subscribe the sum
of $4,000 for this purpose; and with this
letter Mr.. WHEELER went about among
some prominent Republican politicians and
ofTiceholders, endeavoring to obtain their
subscriptions. In this city, as we understand,
he succeeded In procuring subscriptions to
the amount of $1,000; and, ms the Erening
Post states he had also realized $4,000 from
ofIiceholdcrs and others in Philadelphia.
Among the subscribers in this city we
learn that the Hon Moses ii. GRINNELL,
Collector Of the Port, was down for
the liberal contribution of 1900. Mr..
HENRY CLEws, the handsome and wealthy
banker of Wall street, was also down for
81 900, and some other officials and politi-
r 4. Ia -. al
scription paper. The Hon. THOMAS MUIR
PLY, however, though he had been applied
to, had not signed Gen. JONES, the
Postmaster, was mentioned in memoran-
DUN in the hands of WHEELER, and the
subject was about to be urged upon his at
ten,ion when the publication of the scheme
by the independent press arrested its further
progress. 1t was expected that Gen. JONES
would furnish at least $1,000. Mr.. CORNELL,
the Surveyor of the Port, Gen. MERRITT, the
| Naval Officer, and Judge FoLoER, the Sub
Treasurer, had neither Of them shown any
willingness TO contribute, though we dare
say they had been applied TO. Some contri-
buttons had also been promised by subordi-
nate officials, and there is no doubt that the
whole sum of $4,000 would have been made
up ere this, and the policy put into the
hands of Gen. GRhNT, but for the untmcly
noise made about the matter by the med.
dlesome newspapers.
The question necessarily arises whether
Gen. GRANT had himself given encourage
ment to this precious operation of his sec
rotary and secretary's brother-in-law On
this point the only positive evidence is af-
forled bYa correspondent of THE sun, who
stated in letter dated the Goth inst and pub
lished on Tuesday last, that when Gen. PoR
TER lately passed through the city, he per
sonRlly assured some of the gentlemen con
cerned that the President not only took ar
interest in the subject, but that he was dis
turbed at the slowness with which the sub
scrption was made up. In regard to thi
point however, we have no other testimony
than this allegation of our corrcspon
dent but it is somewhat confirmed
by the fact that the subscription
was started on the strength of letter b,
Gen. PORTER commanding the undertaking
TO the Presidents friends Is ii likely tina
in his intimate relation to President GRAM
Gen. PORTER would have presumed to d
this unless lie had reason TO believe that
would be agreeable to his principal?
Gen. GRANTS fondness for presents ha
been too often and too conspicuously evince'
to be a matter of any doubt Nor is thcr
, my reason why, after having receive
. houses, horses, libraries and almost ever
:, possible form of donation, and after havin
:, shown his appreciation of his benefactors b.
!, appointing 20 many Of them to valuabl
. offices, tho President should look with dil
favor upon an effort to bestow upon him a
q additional testimonial. AT any rate, it is ia
him and for his secretary TO show that tn
scandalous undertaking was set on fo'
. without his sanction ; and 1t will be diflcu
. to make people believe that if the polio
!. had been made up and rendered to him, /
!, would have rejected the compliment.