The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-03-11
rFrom the ClncIpnati Commerclal.l !

About three days before Jesse R. Grant left
for Washington to see about his confirmation
as postmaster of COvington, and various other
important matters concerning the offices In
this vicinity, including the Newport postmas-
tership, Mr.. John Marshall, q well-known bust
ness man Of Covington, at present freight
agent in this city for several railroads leading
tor Drake, at the capital, in reference to the
Covington postoffice. The letter was very
short. 1t merely stated that out of the thirty
thousand people who compose the population
of that city, not more than thirty (and they all
ofice-holders or otfice-seekers.) desired Jesse
r. Grant te be postmaster OF that place; that,
in behalf of the people &c CovingtOn, he pro-
of Father Grant, and hoped Senator Drake
would use his influence to have him rejected.
Father Grant had not been in Washington
an hour until this epistle was placed In his
hands by some one, and he waXGd very wrOth
thereat. He vowed that If ever he got back
to Covington he would thrash the writer of it.
Jesse has been at home about week, keeping
quiet until news Of his continuation was re-
ceived. The glad tdings 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-tlle Squire is
one of the old friends of the family tl,iiat has
never been appointed TO office-he inquired
where Mr. Marshall lived. The jolly magis-
trate directed him to the corner er Eighth and
Scott; but in moment seeing the object OF his
search on the opposite side Of the street, cS-
corted Mr. Grant over and introduced him to
Mr.. Marshall in front of the latter's store. The
following highly interesting conversation then
took place, Squire Francis having modestly
retired:
Mr.. Grant. Are you the Marshall that wrote
q letter to Senator Drake about me?
Mr.. Marshall, (smiling.) wrote letter
some time ago to Senator Drake, protesting
against your confirmation as postmaster ut
COvington.
Mr.. Grant, nervous and excited, and
clutching his cane.) You dirty rebel Demo-
crat, what did you do that for?
Mr. Marshall, (coloring soulewhat.) lwant
you to understand, Mr.. Grant, that am no
rebel, or Democrat either!
Mr.. Grant. They told me in Washington
you were rebel Democrat.
Mr.. Marshall. Nobody told you that unless
John S. Nixon did. never voted for but one
Democrat in my life, and that was Judge Kin
Kead.
Mr.. Grant And you think am not fit for
postmaster OF Corington?
Mr.. Marshall said nothing In my letter
about your fitness or unfitness for the position;
but YOU we'll know, Mr. Grant, that very
small number Of people in this city desire 10
Mr.. Grant. suppose you would like to have
the place yourself?
Mr. Marshall. should not object to it.
Mr.. Grant. l have saved to the govern
ment. since have been postmaster at Coving-
ton, $4,000.
Mr.. Marshall. Yes, suppose you have, but
it has been done by your hiring clerks at
starvation wages, when the department at
Washington allows all postmasters liberal
amount for clerk hire. With oil your boasts
about economy and saving money for the
government, notice you never decline an In
crease of your own salary.
Mr.. Grant. You are pretty Republican to
be writing such letters as that about me.
Mr.. Marshall. claim the privilege OF
writing what please, so that it is the truth,
and will do it, even though it concerns tue
Presidents father, or the President himself.
Mr. Grant, do not wish to converse any fur
thcr on this subject. Good day.
The parties then separated. Father Grant
probably thought that inasmucl as he had been
unanimously confirmed, he could afford to let
Marshall so without the promised tirashing.