The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-01-05
Oh 10.
RAsCALITY IN THE INTERNAL REVENUE DE-
PARTMENT.

PARTMENT.
CINCINNATI, Jan. 4.-The Commercial of
this morning publishes the following confiden-
tial letter from Orville Grant to the President:
Chicago, Ill.,, June 49, 1870.-Dear Brother
The matter that referred to in my note, and
! expected DR.. TompIer to explain to you, was
In reference to a proposition made by Gen,
Bloomfield to distillers who have been evading
the laws, and whose distlleries were seized.
Mr. Crosby, Gen. Boomteld's confidential as
sistant, was authorized to make overtures to
the distillers that for a certain sum of money,
5000, paid into the hands of any man whom
they might select, he (BIoomtieldl would place
with the man all the papers and evidence he
mad against the distilers, with a positive as
surance that the cases would not be prosecuted.
Mr.. Crosby was afraid to approach the dstil-
lers as it might have tad effect, and proposed
to me that if would as a third party and get
the distilers to raise the money was to re-
tain part as my lee. I felt, of course suspic-
ious about the honesty Of his intentions and
thought that it might be ruse to see whether
l would loan myself for such work or not, and
l gave him to understand that unless L
had positive assurances that Gen. Bloom
field would carry out in good faith all that
was proposed that nothing could be done.
He gave me such assurances and said that he
was authorized ey Bloomfield to make such
oSertures, that knew that be and Bloomfield
had discussed the question and that he (Bloum-
fed) had instructed Crosby TO make such a
proposition. have had nothing to do with it,
but knew and can prove by men under oath
tbat such propositions have been made to
them. These are all facts that l most posi-
lively know aud can swear to it, and can prove
every word OF it by men under oath. I also
know there are ME n here as gaugers and store
Keepers who have assisted distilers in stealing
whlskey and received pay for doing it, and
that Bloomfield knows it aud still retain them
in office. 1t Bloomfield was to take his solemn
oath that such is not the case, such
StIouS eVlOoQC6 he .hrOnOht n haar
that you would be convinced that he
had periured himself oy such evidence
few months ago the supervisor from Penn
sylvania was here and seized Kerkhoffer e
Co.'s distillery, but Goessen's brother-in- law,
store-keeper or guager, have forgotten which,
and alter the supervisor left the case was not
prosecuted. know no reason for it unless it
would commit Goessen's brother-in-aw. There
is not one man in the revenue department here
who has particle of influence The interests
OF the party here demand some change and the
party are trying hard for it, Ayers has worked
for the party and his appointment as super
visor would give general satisfaction. If I
could see you L would tell you much more
than like to commit to paper, even worse
than have written and equally true, yet
might not as easily prove it. have writ
ten you enough that you may know that
you have dishonest man in Office
NOW that you are apprsed of the fact you are
individually responsible for his dishonesty in
the future. have ga ned my knowledge of
the whole afer in the strictest confidence, and
to tell it am betraying that confidence, and
the only apology is of making a false report
do hope you can see the necessity of change
and that you will try 10 preserve the integrity
of your party and your position by the remov-
al of sucb men. II you wishto retain thieves
and scoundrels 10 Office, you alone must be re-
sponsble for it. would like to see you per-
ban bond corruption. You would then know
why one or two prominent Republicans work.
ed so hard for recognition, and why they make
such strong attacks on you. 1 get my inform
alton from Mr.. Taylor, who tried bribe for
my Influence. know he was preparing 10
make proposals. for he had letters vi ich he
showed me, authorizing hin to do so.
Yours &c. (sgned) ORvILLE GRANT