The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-08-22
DOOLITTLE AND COTTON.

|. The New York Times publishes state
Iment Of a transaction in cot ton between
Thomas j. Conatty, once of KenosEa, now
Of New York, and james r. Doolittle,
then Senator of the U. S. from Wisconsin.
now a political reformer Of Wisconsin
which is not very creditable to the Sena-
tor Mr.. Conatty had held clsrkship in
the office of the Secretary Of the Treasu-
ry and resigned his position in November
1864 on account of failing health. "
Mr.. Conatty, with the recommendation
of influential friends, among whom was
James R. Doolittle, then U. s. Senator
from Wisconsin, applied to President
Lincoln for permit to trade in cotton in
the Southern States. Subsequently he
obtained permit to trade in cotton in
the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Geor-
gia, Texas and Louisiana. Some two or
three weeks after obtaining the permit he
met Senator Doolittle by accident in a
street car in Washington and told him he
had obtained the permit. The Senator
congratulated him on his success and, af-
ter little reflection, asked him to call at
his committee room in the Senate House
next morning. Conatty called the next
morning and the Senator said to him SUBJ
stantially: "You have a good thing and
will make pile of money, and car afford
to be little generous" Conatty did not
know what he meant. Senator Doolittl 9
then said to him in sub stance: "You
know I am poor man, and have not
made any money since have been in pub
lie life. think you can afford to let me
share in the proceeds and be none the
poorer" He then handed t o Ccnatty q
letter which he had written fer Conatty
to copy and sign, saying that he had re
ceived permit to trade and to purchase
cotton to the amount of $4,000 bales and
as the profits arising therefrom would be
too great for one man to enjoy, and as his
heart had been drawn out to Doolittle, he
would remit to him one fourth Of all tho
profits realized over and above the expen-
SEES. At the same time Doolittle handed
Conatty letter dated the following day
which he said would be his response to
Conatty's generous offer contained in his
letter of the previous day. Conatty was
too much surprised to makeany response.
He took the two letters from his Office
with him to Baltimore where he then re-
sided. He copied the letter Doolittle
had written for him to sign, changing the
phraseology Of one of the sentences re-
ferring to himself that weuld have been
indelicate had they come from him. Doc
Titles reply Conatty already had and re-
tanned both Doolittle's letters N his pos
session.
Before Conatty started to trade in Cotton
/ Doolittle wrote him saying that he had
seen Banks, and that Conatty probably
} better wait for him. He closes this letter
as follows:
II send you letter to Banks. Write
and not only about business, but the state
Of things generally. May God bless anc
prosper you, will be the earnest prayer o.
Yours sincerely"
Mr.. Doolittle addressed letter to Ma
: ior General N. P. Banks, New Orleans,
7 introducing T. J. Conatty, in which he
8 says: "He visits New Orleans upon mat
t ter of great Importance, not only to him
g self but to the public welfare-the REQ
t pening practically the cotton trade. IL
/ is gentleman of high character, and one
whom feel assured you will be glad to
{ know, and, so far as may be compatible
. with yourofficial duty, to aid in his I'm
dertaking." Ill., ....,.'@ e ri
:, The Times says that the letters have al
+ been examined, and that there cannot be
shadow of doubt as to every word be-
. ing in the handwriting of Mr.. Doolittle
and that the letters will be photographed
. a1d submitted to public inspection. This
9 has an ugly look for Doolittle, and espe-
e cially as he proclaims himself all over the
!. country as in favor Of reform, But We
: desire to do Mr.. Doolittle justice. How
f ever much we may always have doubted
: his political honesty we prefer not to be-