The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-22
CAN IT BE TRUE E?


Notwithstanding the repeated bestowal of
important offices by General Grant in return
for gifts made to himself, we confess that we
are surprised by report which comes to us
from a reliable source. 1t relates to an
alleged present Just made to General Grant
by number of gentlemen who are already
employed in the public service, or who are
willing to be, of paid-up life insurance
policy for $4,000 The statement that an
effort was on foot to collect the money ne
cessary to offer this douceur to General Grant
has for some days been current. 1t was first
brought to public notice, we believe, by the
Boston Post. That journal alleged that the
brother-in-law of one of General Grants
secretaries had been sent over the country
with a letter of introduction, asking subscrip-
tions for the purpose of buying this policy
for the President. Our correspondent, how
ever, asserts that the sum required for the
purpose has for some days been made up;
that the policy has been issued by the Equi-
table Company of this city; and that the
money was furnished by employees in the
Custom House and Post Office, and by other
gentlemen who, for various reasons have
been desirous of securing special favor at the
White House.
We give place to this communication, be-
cause the character of the writer by whom it
is brought to us renders it impossible for us
to reject it, And yet we say frankly that we
would thousand times rather see it proved
false than true. 1t was bad enough and dis
gusting enough when the expenses of An
drew Johnsons crusade about the country.
swinging around the circle and making alb
surd and incendiary speeches at every stop
ping-place, were all levied upon unlucky
Office holders, and when man who refused
to contribute was at once dismissed from his
place. But of that form of Presidential
blackmail it could at least be said that the
proceeds were intended for a sort of public
use; the money was raised to enable the Pre-
sident to visit his constituents and to address
them upon important public questions. The
exaction was scandalous; but the purpose for
which the money was employed was one that
public man need not blush to avow. But
in the present instance there is no such pal
liation The blackmail now said to be ex-
acted is not for any public use it is in
tended solely and simply to add to the con-
siderable wealth which President Grant has
already acquired, and acquired mainly by
gifts. Until now, however, it has not been
Increased by extortions from the small sala-
ries of clerks and tide-waiters.
But as we have said, we earnestly desire
that this report should be proved to be false.
There is public indignation enough towards
the President, and sufficient burden of dis
grace upon his shoulders, without this addi-
ton. But we still more desire that the state
ment of our correspondent that General Ho-
race Porter, one of the military secretaries of
the President, has himself urged that the
subscription should be expedited, SO that the
sum demanded could be promptly handed
over to the President, shall be proved to be
doubly false. General Porter was a gallant
and meritorious officer in the war. His con-
duct since he has been connected with the
White House has sometimes been found fault
with, but we believe unjustly; and it would
be serious misfortune to the military SER
vice and to the good character of the young
men of the country, if it should appear that
he has been party to transaction of such a
nature as this. Let us still hope that the
| story is not true.
What course Congress may see fit to take
in regard to this subject we will not antici-
pate. 1t is certain, however that if any fact
| of this nature could have been proved against
Andrew johnson in the spring of 1865 it
would have been impossible by any means to
obtain favorable votes enough in the Senate
to save him from the most disgraceful pun
ishment that the nation could infiict upon an
impeached and convicted President.
The thunder-shower in Providence on Fri
day noon was something terrific. Three and
ifteen-hundredths inches of rain fell in about an
| hOur and ouartar