The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-27
LIGHT ON LIFE INSURANCE.

From the N. Y. Sun.
The facts respecting the paid-up life in
surance policy intended for General Grant
are gradually coming to the surface. We are
informed by the EUeniRg Post that the scheme
was first started by General Horace Porter,
one of the military secretaries at the White
House, and Mr.. James Wheeler, his brother
in-law. Wheeler, it seems, is employed as an
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 $50, 900, which would cost $27, 900
in cash, would give to Mr.. Wheeler about
$500 as commission Accordingly, General
Porter is said to have written and put into
Wheeler's hands letter calling upon friends
of the President to subscribe the sum of
$27, 900 for this purpose; and with this letter
Mr.. Wheeler went about among some promi-
nent Republican politicians and office
holders, endeavoring to obtain their
subscriptions. In this city, as we understand,
he succeeded in procuring subscriptions to
the amount of $4,000; and, as the Bgentng
Post states, he had also realized $40, 900 from
office-holders and others in Philadelphia.
Among the subscribers in this city we learn
that the Hon. Moses H. Grinnell Collector
of the Port was down for the liberal contri-
button of $1,000 Mr.. Henry Clews, the hand
some and wealthy banker of Wall street, was
also down for $1,000, and some other officials
and politicians of various ranks had signed
the subscription paper. The Hon. Thomas
Murphy, however, though he had been ap-
piled to, had not signed. General JONES' the
Postmaster, was mentioned in q memoran-
dunn in the hands of Wheeler, and the sub
ject was about to be urged upon his attention
when the publication of the scheme by the
independent press arrested its further pro-
gress. 1t was expected that General Jones
would furnish at least $1,000. Mr. Cornell,
the Surveyor of the Port; General Merritt,
the Naval Officer; and Judge Folger, 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 $27, 900 would have been made
up ere this, and the policy put into the hands
of General Grant, but for the untimely noise
made about the matter by the meddlesome
newspapers. '..... ....-s
The question necessarily arises whether
General Grant had himself given encourage
ment to this precious operation of his secre-
tary and secretarys brother-in-law. On this
point the only positive evidence is afforded
by correspondent of the Sum- who stated in
letter dated the Goth inst. and published on
| Tuesday last, that when General Porter lately
passed through the city, he personally as
sured some of the gentlemen concerned that
| the President not only took an interest in the
| subject, but that he was disturbed at the
slowness, with which the subscription was
made up. In regard to this point, however,
we have no other testimony than this allega-
tion of our correspondent; but it is somewhat
confirmed by the fact that the subscription
was started on the strength of letter by
General Porter commencing the undertaking
to the Presidents friends. Is it likely thatin
his intimate relation to President Grant
General Porter would have presumed to do
| this unless he had reason to believe that it
would be agreeable to his principal?
General Grants fondness for presents has
been too often and too conspicuously evinced
to be matter of any doubt. Nor is there
any reason why, after having received
houses, horses, libraries, almost every
possible form of donation, and after having
shown his appreciation of his benefactors by
appointing SO many of them to valuable
offices, the President should look with dis.
favor upon an effort to bestow upon him ar
additional testimonial. At any rate, it is fol
him and for his secretary to show that this
scandalous undertaking was set on FOO
without his sanction; and it will be difficult
to make people believe that if the policy
had been made up and rendered to him, he
would have rejected the compliment.