New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-10-05
A QUESTION OF PERSONAL HABITS.

The Washington correspondent of The Gin
cinnot Commercial is man Of as unquestOned veracity
as there is in Washington. THE TRIBUNE has raised no
question concerning President Grants personal habits,
has discouraged that sort Of discussion, and has pre-
ferred so far it could 70 restrict the personalities
Of the campaign only to such compelled by the
demand for reform. There enough other grounds
of objection to the reelection Of the present President
without spying into his private habits; but in the
Of the controversy concerning the record OF the
candidate for Vice President there has been some dis
cussion to whether he could be trusted to tell the
TRUTH and it is chiefly this point that the following
statement by the correspondent of The Commercial
over his own signature. arOuses special interests
Gen Boynton's life must certainly have been passed
behind vail if he does not know that Grants ntemper
Newspaper-row and among Senators and Representa-
tives 1t was thing that was rarely, II ever doubted
If was stated in the presence OF great friend OF
Grants that the President drinking heavily, II was
rarely denied and generally passed without word AS
far as my observation goes the charge was generally
admitted with some charitable words in eXtenuation.
hesitate to make of expressions which were not
intended for the public ear which however, obliga
ton OF secrecy prevents me from usngl but believe
declare that in the very office in which this letter.
written have heard Henry WILSON, the Radical candl-
date for VicePesdent declare repeatedly that Grant
drinks too much" afraid he Is drinking too much"
09sh hi SP ndcaed Henry Wilson's option
that the President was Incorporate man. should
nressioHs had been made by Senator Wilson, for know
the denunciation will arouse on the part OF the sup
DOrters and defenders of the President but Mr wilson
mas said the same thing TO other gentlemen on News
paperrow. Do Gen. Grants supporters want aihdaSls
as TO his ntemperance Are they not satisfied with cur
rent report and belief ,,
Other gentlemen as high in position Senator Wilson
have frequently complained OF the Presidents lncO-
herence OF speech certain occasions, his stupid
manner and general behavior at variance with his
usual conduct and have mentioned strong drink as the
cause on one OCCASION a Special Committee OF the
House of Representatives called Gen. Grant at the
time he was acting Secretary OF War on the appointment
of Andy Johnson They desired 10 discuss with HIM
subject which they were Investigating and which be-
longed to his department They found him III such
condition that of the members, no less person than
the Hon. GLENN W. ScOhed, at present running on inc
Radical ticket Congressman at Large III PennsyV wanna,
declared with emphasis, My God Is II possible that
we must make than our candidate for PresidentF
A member OF the committee related this occurrence 10
me during the past Summer and said there was no doubt
that Grant was intoxicated If the friends OF the Presl
dent want more proof perhaps 1t may be furnished.
Judge Scofeld would not III all probability consent 10
make an affidavit to the condition III when ne IOuhd
Grant on the visit described