Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-09-05
nonIinIe,s Confeas.an.

Ex-senator Doolittle's tsrdy response to the
Conatty charges, of which we published a tele-
graphic abstract a day or two ago, admits the
genuineness of the letters, thus coniessing
substantially all of which he was accused
but, as the letters in question were, as he says
only private and confidential memoranda, not
intended for publication, he protests that he is
conscious Of no improprieY in the transaction.
The facts, it will be remembered, are that Co
natty, a government clerk, having resigned his
cerkship, obtained a permit TO trade in cotton
across the lines of our army, which at that time,
in the year 1864, held New Orleans and the
Mississippi river with some territory on each
bank. Before making use ofthis permit he had
an interview with Mr.. Doottle, then a senator,
at which the latter wrote a letter te HIM
self in Conatty's name expressing admir-
alton for his own great abilities and patriotic
devotion to his country's service, and asking his
acceptance Of fourth part of a fortune, too
great for one man to manage wisely. The pro-
posal, Mr.. Doolittle in his letter assured him
self, was wholly disinterested, prompted solely
by friendship and admiration for his splendid
senatorial career. Mr. Doolttle at the same
time wrote an answer to his own letter, declaring
that the offer was u surprise TO him, and
accepting ii with gratitude. After the exchange
OF hese letters if not before, Mr.. Doolittle used
his personal and official influence to facilitate
Mr.. Conatty's operations, in which he had so
large pecuniary interest.
After waiting three weeks to ascertain that no
documentary evidence of his share in this in
trigue was on file in Washington, Mr.. Doolttle
publishes his explanation, such as 1t is. The
only material point in which his narrative va
ries from C0natty's, is that the latter asserts
and Doolittle denies, that the senator's influence
was used to obtain the cotton trading permit;
but it is of no real consequence whether the
offer of a share in the profits was payment for
services already rendered or a retainer for the
future. 1t is pitiable 10 sec man who once held
SO honorable a place, and was respected in it,
helplessly aoundering in the vain endeavor to
escape from the mire into which he recklessly
plunged. Being in it, however, and finding
it uncomfortable, and his appearance unsightly,
it is not strange that he should strug-
| gle to clear himself; but it is aston
ishing that political partsanship should Induce
anybody to pretend to think his efforts success
| full. Some of his present associates are willing
| to 90 even that length. They have the assur-
| ance to speak Of the accusation as ISLANDER OF
| the renominationiSts," which is cffectually
answered by Doolitte's letter, and to praise this
self-convicted trader in official influence as
conspicuous among public men for his perfect
honesty and probity" The New York Tribune,
however, is more discriminating 1t severely
scrutinizes the transaction, and takes pleasure
in acquitting MIR, Doelitte of everything but an
''errOr of judgment" IAN offence against taste
and delcacy." upon my honor" says the
independent journalist, sit is nothing worse,
and, as everybody knows, there's no disputing
about tastes, it is shame to say another word
| ahOut II y