The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-01-17
SECRETS OF POLITICS.
A Brother Of lhe President Anx-
ious for the Good Fame Of the
decentralization. W hat he KnoS(S
% nevenue Frauds IN ,Chfca8e.

4
A remarkable letter written IN June
last, at Chicago, by Mr.. Orville Grant
to the President, has found its way into
print. How, il is not knowns probably
the same way as the Porter letter. Or
vile is about the only one of the Presi-
dent relatives who don't hold office
and, therefore, his words are entitled to
some weight. 1t appears from this let.
ter that the Presidents brother advised
him Of the corruption in Office Of one
of his appointees, saying of his asser
tions: s.,These are all facts that most
positively know, eau swear to them, and
can prove every word Of it by meu un-
der oath" The amount Of the charges
is that the Internal Revenue office at
Chicago is in the hands of the whisky
ring of that city; and the President hav-
ing been by his brother most explicitly
informed of the fact, with offers Of proof
positive, declines to make change
We have only room for this extract
from Orvllle' letter:
CHICAGO, Ill, June Is. 1870.
sDEAR BRoTHER- There
are men here as gaugers and storekeep.
ers who have assisted the distillers in
stealing whisky, and received their pay
for doing it, and Bloomfield (the Col
lector) knows it, and still retains them
in Office If Bloomfield were to take
his solemn oath that such is not the case,
such strong evidence can be brought to
bear that you would be convinced that
be had perjared himself by such evi-
dence. *af* II I could see you,
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
written you enough that you may know
that you have dishonest man in Office
and now that you are appraised of the
facts, you are individually responsible
for his dishonesty in the future. l have
gained my knowledge Of the whole af
fair in the strietest confidence and to tel
Lit / am betraying that confidence, ant
the only apology I can make for doing
a man 50 great an act of injustice is tina
my duty to you is stronger than my wore
or confidence to one who is instrumental
in defrauding the Government and ruin
ing your reputation, for all the frauds o
your appointees fall upon You and thu
party. / prefer that you do not use thi'
lIetter publicly; but remove Bloomfield
and, ,if really necessary to prove all
have written, I can and will do it, and
great deal more.
81 think ] know where parties ar
stealing under the protection Of their
enue officers, which an investigation
would prove and when you get q prope
4 man in charge of the revenue here
will put him at work but to make th
report now will only injure me and nc
cause The stealing to be stopped. !
would injure me because officers woul'
cover it up, which would show me up a
making a false report. do hope yo
: can see the necessity of q change, an
: that you will try to preserve the integr
. ty of your party and your position b
removing such men. If you wish TO re
tain thieves aud scoundrels in Office, yo
alone must be responsible for it.
Respectfully yours, &.
O..S. GRANT"
BLOOMFIELD still retains his Office, mo-
withstanding the President was noti6e
in June, 1870, that he was dcfraudin
: the Government. We presume GRAN
quietly informed his brother that /
would prefer to not have his little .