Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-10-24
A Question of Personal Habits.
From the New York Tribun'


The Washington correspondent of the Gin
cinnau Commercial is o man of as unques-
toned veracity there is in Washington.
The Tribune has raised no question concern
ing President Grants personal habits, has
discouraged that sort of discussion, and has
preferred, in SO far as it could, to restrict the
personalities of the campaign only to such as
seem compelled by the demand for reform.
There were enough other grounds of objec-
ton to the reelection of the present President
without prying into his private habits but in
the course of the controversy concerning the
record of the candidate for Vice President
there has been some discussion as to whether
he could be trusted to tell the truth, and it is
chiefly on this point that the following state
ment by the correspondent of the CONNER,
cidl. over his own signature, arouses special
interest:
Gen. Boynton's life must certainly have
been passed behind vail if he does not know
that Grant intemperance has been a subject
of almost constant gossip in Newspaper-row
and among Senators and Representatives. 1t
was thing that was rarely, if ever, doubted.
If it was stated in the presence of any great
friend of Grants that the President was
drinking heavily, it was rarely denied and
generally passed without a word. As far as
my observation goes, the charge was gem
orally admitted with some charitable words In
extenuation.
hesitate to make use of expressions which
we're not intended for the public ear (Which,
however, no obligation of secrecy prevents
me from using), but believe the present oc-
clare that in the very Office in which this
letter is written have heard Henry Wilson,
the Radical candidate for Vice President, de-
clare repeatedly that g Grant drinks too
much" "Pm afraid he is drinking too much. "
6 Grant ought to stop drinking and smoking,
| and other expressions, which indicated Henry
| Wilson's opinion chat the President was an
incorporate man. I should hesitate to say
| this were the only one to whom like ex-
| pressions had been made by Senator Wilson,
for know the denunciation it will arouse on
| the part of the supporters and defenders OF
the President, but Mr.. Wilson has said the
same thing to other gentlemen on Newspaper
row. Do Gen. Grants supporters want afh-
| davits as to his intemperance? Are they not
satisfied with current report and belief
Other gentlemen as high in position as
Senator Wilson have frequently complained
of the Presidents incoherence of speech on
certain occasions, his stupid manner and gen
eral behavior at variance with his usua
conduct, and have mentioned strong drink al
| the cause. On one occasion a special com.
mittee of the House of Representatives called
on Gen. Grant at the time he was acting
Secretary of War on the appointment of And.
Johnson. They desired to discuss with hin
| a subject which they were investigating ant
which belonged to his department. The.
| found him in such a condition that one of tn
members, no less person than the Hon
| Glennl w. Scofeld, Congressman at Larg
from Pennsylvania, declared with emphasis
- My God is it possible that must max
that man our candidate for President ?"
| member of the committee related this occur
renee to me during the past summer, an
| said there was no doubt that Grant was IN
| toxlcated. If the friends of the Presiden
| want mora proof, perhapsit it may be furnished
. Judge Scofeld would not, in all probabilit,
| consent to make an affidavit to the conditio
| in which he found Grant on the visit d.
scribed.