Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-09-13
A RADICAL EXPOSURE.
One Hundred and Forty Thousand
Dollars Raised 20 Elect Grant.
How 1t Was Dons and Who Was Rewarded.

On tie 18th inst, the New York ECen-
ing Post published a communication signed
"a Republican" severely criticising the
political course of Senator 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
Agains, Senstor Fenton, and then exposes
some Of the inside workings OF The Radical
party under the Grant administration. Gen
ersl Palmer ShOWs thai the csm psigu for
Grant in 1868 was considered hopeless. un.
Ill Moses T.. GrinneIi raised One Hundred
and Forty Thousand Dollars to De used 10
the canvass, which greet snm Of money
saved the day. For this Mr.. Guunell Was
given the most lucrative Office 10 the gilt Of
the President, in order that he might REIN
burse himself. Here we have a 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 perpesuate his
power.
We give the concluding portions OF Gen.
erAl PAlmer's ommunicaiion, as follows:
It is true that Governor Fenton, prior to-
his election IS Senator, had been ten years n
representative in Congress and four years
Governor of the State. He had been elect
ed Governor IN 1864, after the defeat Of
General Wadsworth in 1862, and was again
elected in 1856 b. about FIVE thousand more
majority than at his former election, against
the combined efforts Of the Democratic
party, Andrew johnson and his so-called
Republican followers.
II may not have been unreasonable to ex-
pect that his advice would have some con-
alteration in the couDse!s OF the adminis.rA-
tion. II is true that he was clothed with
authority BY the people later than his col
league. But il is not true, as stated by your
correspondent, that the men named were
appointed to Federal Offices upon the recon-
mendssion of Governor FeBton. ] venture
the assertion that he never made . recon-
mendAtlon to the President or any of the
heads of departments of any man for the
sole reason that he was a friend ofhis. In
regard to the persons mentioned as having
been appointed through his influence, /
would respectfully say that:
Moses Il Grinnell was President Grants
own personal appointment. the reason for
which sPprehend may be found in the fol-
lowing facts
In 1868, Hon D.. E. Washburne, now Min
later to France, came to this city to enlist
the efforts of the Republicans in the canvass
then in progress for General Grants cleo
ton.
me RATIFICATION meeting in Pennsylvania
nAo oeen a failure. Mr.. H~ashburae desir.
Gu "'c money should be raised for the pur-
PoSe carrying the Maine, Indiana and
PenRsytuaniG elections - G.
October lie applied to M Cn ana
.hrough "ho'' great persona, efforts a,4a
900 tods procured and ugsd;n nat-
pGign. '"
Mr. Washburne and Genera, o.
since admitted that this aid ,,os
the Presidential contest. For his y
extensive reputation n popularity. NJ.
GrinneH sOas appointed collector for n,
Port Of Mem York.
y y y So far a. my own appointment,
was concerned, l an not aware that Mr.
Fenton or anybody else recommended i
either to the President or the Secretary o
the Treasury. ] was solicited to take tn,
position while Senator Fenton was in Eu
rope. was never q candidate for the plAc'
until an officer of the Treasury Department
was sent to me, as | believe, by the Secre
aAry Of the Treasury, and i was asked 1,
~ooeps the position.
r~a..f 're-r"
frH-~ aasts ssH