The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-10-04
A RADICAL EXPOSURE.
One Hundred and Forty Thousand
Dollars Raised to Elect Grant.
Hop 1T was Done and Who was Re
WGrded.

On the 18th ult., the New York
Erening Post published q communica-
ton signed ga Republican," severely
criticising the political course of Sena-
tor Fenton and his friends. A reply
to this communication appears in the
Post of Thursday evening last, over
the signature of General George w.
Palmer, recently holding the office of
Appraiser of the New York Custom
House, and formerly Commissary-
General of the State.
The reply denies the charges made
against Senator Fenton, and then ex-
poses some of the inside workings of
the Radical party under the Grant ad-
ministration. General Palmer shows
that the campaign for Grant i'll 1868
was considered hopeless, until Moses
II. Grinnell raised one hundred and
forty thousand dollars to be used in
the canvass, which great sum of mon
ey saved the day. For this, MI.
Grinnell was given the most lucrative
office in the gift of the President, in
order that he might reimburse him
self. Here we have q chapter of
Presidential corruption unparalleled
in the history of politics Grant buys
his way to the Presidential chair, and
when once there he assumes the role
of a dictator, and uses United States
troops to perpetuate his power.
We give the concluding portions of
General Palmer's communication, as
follows:
1t is true that Governor Fenton,
prior to his election as Senator, had
been ten years a representative in
Congress and four years Governor OF
the State. He had been elected Gov.
in 1864, after the defeat of General
Wadsworth in 1862. and was again
eIectedin 1866 by about five thous-
and more majority than at his former
election, against the combined efforts
of the Democratic party, Andrew
johnson and his so-called Republican
followers. 4
Itmay not have been unreasonable
to expect that his advice would have
some consideration in the counsels of
the administration. 1t is true that he
was clothed with authority by the peo-
pie later than, his colleague. But it is
not true, as stated by your correspon-
dent, that the men named were ap-
pointed to Federal Offices upon the
recommendation of Governor Fenton.
l venture the assertion that never made
q recommendation to the President or
any of the heads of departments of
any man for the sole reason that he
was a friend of his. In regard to the
persons mentioned as having been ap-
pointed through his influence, 1 would
respectfully say that 49,
Moses II. Grinnell was President
Grants own appointment, the reason
for which / apprehend may be found
in the following facts:
In 1868, Hon. d. E. Washburne,
now Minister to France, came to this
city to enlist the efforts of the Repub-
licans in the canvass then in progress
for General Grants election.
The ratification meeting in Penn.
had been a failure. Mr.. Washburns
desired that money should be raised
for the purpose of carrying the Maine,
Indiana and Pennsylvania elections
in September and October. He ap-
piled to MIR. Grinnell, through whose
great personal efforts $4,000 was
procured and used il that campaign.
Mr.. Washburne and General Grant
have since admitted that this aid was
decisive of the Presidential contest
For this and his extensive reputation
and popularity, Mr.. G~rinnell was ap-
pointed Collector for the Port of New
York.
x X x X X So far az nv
own appointment was concerned, I am
not aware that MI. Fenton or any
body else recommended it either to
the President or Secretary of the
Treasury. I was solicited to take the
position while Senator Fenton was in
Europe. I was eve a candidate for
the place until an officer of the Treas
ury Department was sent to me, as 1
believe, by the Secretary of the Treas
ury, and l vas asked to accept the
the position,
This much for Senator Fenton's in
reference with the Federal patronage.
X x
His opposition to Mr.. Murpby's
confirmation will, in my judgment, be
regarded as well founded when the
facts are fully known
az