The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-06
The Difference Between COncealing
and "Not Advertising" Fact.
1.EET's WHITE HOUSE MESS
A New York Legislator Put
Through His Catechism.
SPECIFIC CASES OF CORRUPTION

the Collectors room was crowded with spectators
many Of whom were familiar faces to those who
have attended the conventions OF the various re-
publican factions In this city. The following was
the evidence taken:-
Mr.. Lindsay recalled-In reference to my testi-
mOny yesterday in regard to what Mr. naw told me
about the Custom House wish to repeat what I
sald yesterday; what l said was IN substance cor.
rect Mr.. Haw told me on the same occasion that ne
was bidder for the labor contract In partnership
with Mr.. George X. Leet and l think he said the
rate OF the contract was TO be also wish to
add something to my testimony about the assess
ment papers that were circulated in the Custom
House under Mr.. Grinnel to raise funds for political
purposes. but that will DO when Mr. Gaylord Ii
summoned. The witness then produced o copy Of
the letter from Mr.. Leet to which he referred. 1t
read as follows:-
LINDSAY WALTON new G Sen e JSy s11s ss
and National line of steamers the of 625 annum
the storage Of General r goods
e ct Mr. @
partner whose influence directs the business to his
genera order good. TO be considered profits S1by
above quoted should this Be oontnpsa
pl % aa Ss rS se ay g. be
The witness then contnued-Mr. Leet told me in
washington that he was going to leave The army tc
make money, and that he thought this business was
likely to be profitable; he told me that he had
associates with him.
O. What were the names of his associatesH A.
General Porter and General Babcock; the influences
that removed MI. Grinnel were secret; we dd our
best to ind them QUE. but do not wish to give
names, as 1t duplicates certain persons; viii say
however that 1t affects in no way, shape manner
the President OF the United states; may say that
only last night was told that was only volun.
teer witness here; l cannot say whether the party
saying that was Custom House officer; 1t was
derstood That General Leet party to the asso.
clatlon OF which General BabcOck and General POr-
Ter were members. that he had to contribute to
their support at Washington
q. Did you understand that the profits Of this brs-
ness were to 60 to Wasningtona A. Yes sir; Gen.
era Leet stated that he could not support his share
of the mess at washington on $751; 600 year, ana his
army pay; think General Leet at that time re.
ceiving 81, 900 year IN the War Department.
@. You understood then from General Leet that
Generals Babcock and Porter were interested In this
businessY A. Not IN the business. but in the mess;
In no instance did hear from General Leet tnat
they directly interested In the funds derived
In the general order business.
@. Have you any idea now that Porter and Bah
COCK have any interest In the general order busi-
aessP A. Emphaiically no, SIR.
Q. Well, what Is your direct meaningp A. Gen.
eral Leet and Generals Babcock ana Porter were in
the same mess, so General Leet said In Washing
ton; have received. several letters from General
Leet while he was In Washington; they were dated
from the White House.
O. From the White HOuse9 A. Yes, cir; Iremem
Der one letter acknowledging the receipt OF pack.
age from Mr.. Grinnell for the use OF the mess the
package was case Of wine.
O. the business Of this mess, then, was eating and
drinking onlyf A. suppose 30.
@ What disposition old you make OF the general
order business after Mr.. Grinnell MADE the order
sending goods TO such store or stores you mai.
catedf A Mr.. Bixbys stores In West street; was
never IN those stores In my life.
@ Was that the commencement OF General Leets
connection with the general order businesss A. /
believe So sir; Mr.. Leet had at that time completed
Q. Leet still remained in washington A. Yes;I
do not think he came on to New York to live until
q. When did you see Mr. Leet again after this
nrst arrangement was nader A. lie was In New
Washington he complained from the start that this
g. GOO per snnum was not enough to pay his share
O. At the time OF these transactions in 1862 how
long had You known Mr.. Leetf A. got acquainted
with him about the time General Grant had has
O How long had you known Mr.. stockings A.
never knew MI. Stocking until about three months
O. We're your relations with MI. Leet purely per.
DOnali A. Yes.
O. We're your personal relations inrimatss A.
Yes sir; before this general order business he told
me that he wanted to go to New York and get some
O. You RENTED his share OF the general order
business to him? A. Yes, SIR.
q: Was that while he was in the War Department.
O. what were his relations with Porter and Bah.
O. HIS receipts, them from general order business
was S6.6 800 and his salary about 81, 600 more-dld
these constant complaints that s., coo were not sum-
tn quQr nj IA nil
O. DO your personal relations continue, A. I |
have seen very little OF him during the last year.
Q. Did you ever receive any pay for your services
under Mr.. Grinnelf A. Mr.. Grlnnell himself paid
name was not the pay roll OF the Custom House.
Q. When was Mr.. stocking appointed superin-
came from washington he was sutler during the
war; he Was also connected In some way with Gen.
S Se soe To
ico; was offered the appointment OF superintend.
snt Of carriage business In January 1872 Declined
appointed; the carriage system Is not now in ex. |
istence; believe It was abolsned when Mr.. Grin.
O Are the rates Of the general order business,
which are proved TO be now from 81 so TO- 81 rs Q
judge the present rates are about double what the
.. Have you any knowledge Of control BY poll
ucians In the CUSTOM House BY winch they get
moneys for the appointments made' A believe
O. You think, then, they get appointments and
levy upon the appoiutees for their own benents A.
esnnot say that positively, but have no reason
q. II you have no knowledge why have You no
doubt about ny A. Because Mr.. Grinnell told me
under his Administrations he made an examination
mtvthe matter and had several men up about 1t.
=: what politicians were implicated A. do not
9. DO you say that warehouse men give pay to
10y Ian sn nspeciors gness yon viii nnd
s.v Y. , wu .ney ever tell you so9 A. think Mr.