The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-01-18
New York Custom House In
Vestigation.
"COfsWptiOn, Deep, Dan.niaag
and FesteTistg.''


from the N. Y. World on the testimo-
ny given by Mr.. Lindsay before the
Custom House Investigating Commit.
tee on Thursday last. In the light of
the evidence before the Committee of
several witnesses eff high character,
the Tammany frauds, about which the
Radicals throughout the land kept up
such dismal howl, "pale their inef-
fectual fires" Despite the efforts of
the Radical members to whitewash
the affair and to cover up and conceal
the robbery, bribery and corruption
existing in that department, enough
has been brought to light to verify the
assertion of Senator Upton, of Ne
braska, that in his belief 'sthere as
corruption, deep, dananing and fester'-
ing all through this administration Of
ours. The World publishes the testi-
mony in full taken before the Com
mittee, and it fully warrants the fol-
lowing comments:
sSince Mr.. Lindsay's testimony be-
fore the Senate Committee of Investi-
tigation, on Thursday, the public is
great deal better informed respecting
this avaricious, aspiring young man,
than it was before. All the previous
information consisted in the single
fact that Colonel Leet, member of
General Grants staff, has, for the last
two or three years, been getting rich
by extortions practiced upon the inn
G
this fact had on its face very ugly
look. 1t was in General Grants pow
er, at any time, to stop the extortions,
and no other reason could be assign
ed, or imagined, for his not doing it
than his close relations with this for
mer member of his military family.
Mr.. Boutwell, had listened to the in
dignant cry of the New Y ork mer-
chants; he had signified his desire to
redress this scandalous grievance !;
but some power behind Br. Boutwell,,
and exerting more potent authority,
had thwarted and foiled him, in his
endervor to reform this great abuse.
But the only power superior to Mr..
Boutwell, in the Treasury Department
is General Grant himself, and hepub-
lie naturally inferred that this swim
die is continued because the President
has motives to shield and protectit.
eThis well founded suspicion is es-
tablished as fact by the testimony of
Mr.. Lindsay. No man outside the
general order ring has such opportuni-
ties for knowledge as this important
witness, He had known Leet for five
years previous to his coming to New
York in the hope of making his for
tune; and he was Collector Grinnell's
confidential adviser during his admin
istration of the Custom House. Mr..
Lindsay was the first man Leet con-
suited when he came to this city ap-
parently the one man to whom he un-
bosomed all his plans, hopes, and
means of influence. 1t is Mr.. Lind
says close intimacy with General
Grants friends and appointees that
makes him so we'll informed and val
liable witness. He was behind the.
scenes; he was familiar with every
wire pulled to influence results.
Among the important facts brought
to public notice by Mr.. Lindsay's tes-
timony, are these:
"EJrst Leet was indebted to Gen
eral Grant himself for his opportuni-
ty to preempt this rich placer (worth
lOuT IIlltS GlG VI tIlO L
and work it for the advantage of him
self and his associates. Immediately
after General Grant had decided to ap-
point Mr.. Grinnell, but before the pub
lie, or even Mr.. Grinnell himself,
knew or suspected that he was to be
appointed, Leet came to New York
armed with the Wafmest kind of alet-
ter from Grant to Grinnell, asking
the latter to promote the interests of
Grants particular pet. It was from
the bearer of this letter that Mr.. Grim
nell was first permitted to know of
the Presidents intention to appoint
him. AS the letter asked for no par
ticular thing for Leet, but only that
Mr.. Grinnell would do all he could to
favor him, Leet was left free to pick
and choose for himself, and Mr.. Grin
nell was expected to expend upon
him the first flush of gratitude for his
own appointment as Collector. No
plot could have been more cunningly
contriEed for giving Leet the biggest
plum in the Custom-house pudding.
Second. 1t is established by Lind
says testimony that Leet was not on
ly the special pet and favorite of the
President, but that he had the closest
Icldt4Ou6 Will DdDCOCks IH6
Presidents confidential secretaries.
He of course communicated all his
hopes and plans to these private sec
retaries, and through them they must
have been perfectly known to the;
President. 1t is in evidence that Leet,
remained a year or more in Washing
ton, drawing pay as an army officer,
after he got his first big share of the
,1o,, I, -,
profits without lifting a finger to
transact the business. 1t is in evi-
dence that, during this time, he was
messing" with Porter and Babcock,
the Presidents private secretaries, TAX
ing all his meals with them and see-.
ing them several times every day. 1t
is in evidence that he gave as one of
his reasons for expressing dissatisfac-
der business, that the profits were not
sufficient to dcfray the expenses of
this precious triple mess, consisting
of Leet and the two confidential. Sec
retaries of the President. It will be
seen the testimony brings this scan=
dalous general-order swindle close
home to the doors of General Grant.
- Third. tits clearly in evidence that
Wnen MI. Gflnneu would not give
Leet the full swing and monopoly he
wanted, he made repeated threats that
there should be new Collector, and
not long after General Grant appoint
ed Tom Murphy, with whom Leet
never had any difficulty in getting
whatever he chose to ask.
"F'ourth. 1t is in evidence that the
profits o. this scandalous extortion
arn0nut ~ of laacf S100 00N O uoor
and that a power behind Mr.. Bout
well, and greater than Mr.. Boutwell,,
prevented his suppressing it, although
he openly disapproved and condemns
ed it. There is only one authority
that can overrule Mr.. Boutwell, in his
own department, and that is the Pres
ident himself.
"In this investigation, Leet and the