New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-07
bTTORNET- GENERAL lKERMAN
TIE OCCASION OF NEWSPAPER ATTACKS UPON
HIM.

HIM.
TO the Editor Of TIC Tribune.
SIR: Squib after squib has appeared in GER
tain Democratic and other opposition papers OF the c0un
try all endeavorng to disparage the Attorney General
of the United States. To read these filings one would
suppose that President had ever made 10 great mis-
take President Grant when he selected the Amos
T. Akerman to occupy place in his Cabinet Some may
conclude that since denial Of these statements appear
in the public there must be grounds for all the
most OF them. Your correspondent knowing the facts
they really exist well the secret springs that impe
the envenomed shafts wishes lay before your readers
plain statement of the This due to the President
at whom much of the abuse referred is really aimed
1t is due especially to the Attorney General, who
is one of the purest OF public men as well as
one OF the very best lawyers the country every
lawyer OF any standing in Georgia, whence he comes
very well knows. He is conscientious. He is well
balanced. He is incapable Of corrupt motives a mean
action He, as nearly practicable, combines all the
good qualities Of his native New England with all that is
truly noble in the Southern character. In TRUTH Pres
dent Grant never did wiser thing than in the selection
of this Attorney General. These trusts at him. proceed
from correspondents Of Democratic newspapers and
from distinctly marked class Of Republican papers,
popularity designated as Opposonists" but not in
hueuced by spirit Of opposition solely. On the 18th
day Of October last and on the Esd day Of November the
Secretary " the Treasury found necessary to submit
to the Acknowledgement certain questions In relation
10 the claim of the United States the Union Pacific
Railroad Company for reimbursement OF interest paid
by the United States bonds issued a subsidy TO
that Company" "The Government has issued it's
bonds TO the Union Pacific Railroad Company to the
amount Of many Millions" and that Company
claims that the Government ia bound 10 pay
the interest these bonds they become due.
and then wait until the expiration OF 30 from the
issuing OF the bonds before reimbursement shall DO
made the interest in the mean time becoming due semi
annually. " The amount which the Company Will thus
tho Government at the expiration Of thirty years
VIII be nearly treble the prmcipal. Ihesc many mn
lions the Company asks the of for 80 years without
interest. The question 10 be decided is one Of great
moment 70 the Government well rs to s bcneiclarcs,
! the members Of the Union Pacific Railroad Company.
vast OF legal talent brought 10 bear upon
the questions involved. The AttOrn,y General heard
/ arguments day after day, and examined authorities
night after night, To the end that justice might be dome
At length the argument being really exhausted and The
Attorney GcncrdreadN 10 give his opinion, the Company
asked time e. bring other counsel before nm 10 be heard
This request, thought 10 he reasonable, granted
! During The delay ihus granted, a Boston news
paper The interest OF the Company came ont In
abOred article on the questions involved, ccnsurng. in
severe tcrHe, tine delay the part of the Attorney
Generals hoping, however, III great charity, that tins
delay caused from any improper motives on the
part of the Law Officer Of the Government. Tnis
temptblc attack failed; % decided THAT the
Government may lawfully claim from the Company the
amount OF the Interest in question, soon as such inter
est is paid 10y the Government II therefore deter
mined To undermine MI. AbImau by these various in
suuaOns, with the hope that when he displaced an
AttOueytiCntra COuid he found Who would view Union
Pacific AlaIS differently. Little these people really
know oil M Alderman, they littc understand the Pres
ident whose action they thus seek 70 influence Thus
much have said on my responsibility, without The
knowledge the President his Attorney General /
know the facts TO bc as have stated them, anu know
the worth OF the Attorney General. TRUTH.
Washington, March c, 1871.