The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-01-23

SAY, who was Mr.. GRINNELLS S contden
tial adviser, and conducted all the nego
tiations with LEET, testiiies as follows:
Q-I understand you to say Col
Leet informed Mr.. Grinnel that he
(Grihnell) was to be appointed Collector
Of the Port OF New York before the ap-
pontment took place? A.-So lie told
ME.
Q-Was this before Mr.. Grinnell
knew it himself? SO he t"l me
Q-Abont now long before? All
I had Wizards Hotel register | could
tell you exactly about how long. 1t
couid not have been more than one or
two, or perhaps three days in advance,
but | cannot now say. The register at
Wizards Hotel would tell when I was
there
Q-Was it then that Mr. Leet exhibi-
ted to you these letters OF recommenda-
ton at Wizards Hotel A-Yes, sir; !;
and on one Of them the int ,caS hardy
dry.
(Which one was that? A-The
one from the President.
Q.--Did he apply to Mr.. Grinnell at
once for the general order business !?
Alt once at the time he came, and
with the Information he gave Mr.. Grin
nell of his going to be appoilted Col
lector
Q-Had you understood from Mr.
Leet before he left Washington that he
intended to ask for it? A-I,had. He
came aud talked to me on the subject
before.
Q.--He had conversed with you about
that? A--Yes, sir; and told me what he
thought he could make out of it.
Q.-What did he think he could make
out of it? Sixty or seventy thousand
dollars year; and from that, together
with the labor contract he calculated he
could make somewhere not far from
100000. He expected and attempted
to get the labor contract in the pubic
stores. and this Mr. Haw was to be os-
tensibly the party to get the contract
So he told me last night. | know moth
ing further than that.
Q'-The labor contract in the public
storesY A.-Yes, sir.
Q-And out of these two businesses
Mr.. Leet thought he could make $780,
900? A.-Yes, sir.
Further than this, ,Leet threatened Mr..
Grinnell with removal if his demands
were not complied with. In Mr.. Lind
says testimony We read:
Mr Bayard-Q When did Mr.. Lect
first threaten Mr. Grinnell with removal
from the office of Collector if his de-
mands were rot complied with? Ut
was soon after he came here with his
eIters-some few weeks he did not sue
ceed; Mr.. Grinnel consulted with N.Y.
self and, l think, one or two other
friends-my impression is, but l am not
positive, that one gentleman was old Mr.
Biatchford-in reference to giving Mr..
Leet the whole OF the general order bu-
siness; we advised him as his friends, or
| Cid, at any rate, can only speak for
myself that it would be very impolitic,
because it was matter that the politi
clans sought for and looked after: and
we told him in substance that if he did
give it ID him entire it would bring great
di,credit not only on him but on people
stW higher in position, on account OF the
close relations Mr. Leet had with them !;
Mr. Grinnell decided to give him only
that portion Of it; after that Mr.. Leet
was earnest and determined to get the
entire general order business, together
with the public stores labor contract; he
told me repeatedly that if he could not
get what he wanted from Mr.. Grinnell
we should have another Collector here,
and he could get all he wanted.
1t must be borne in mind that Mr.
1eet did not propose TO do any work for
the money he was to get. 1t wss to be
pure eratuity 10 him Mr., Lindsay's 5
testimony on this point was as follows !:
Q-You speak Of Mr. Leet's receiving
some $1,000 per annum from the gene
raj order business? A.-Yes, sir.
Q.-Was that in the way Of a salary,
or as result Of business A.-As
the result of business.
Odd he give any personal atten.
ton to that business A.-Not any at
ali.
Oft II was done rs business it was
done by his agents? A Done by his
partners, l should judge, by arrange
ment; Mr.. Bixby was partner of his,
because they divided the oyerplus.
Odd he devote any of the time
which he was under obligation as an Of
fcer of the Government 10 this general
order business? A.-No, sir; only go.
ing often to- ashington.
Senator Pratt-Q Did Col. Leet put
lany capital in this business e? A.-Not
, dollar.
Odd he render any personal servi.
ces to the warehouses? A.-Sot that
ever knew Of sir.
II was also testified before the COM
mittee of last winter that Leet boasted
of his influence with the President. Mr..
Luther Horton, who was asked to go in
rs partner with him and his associate
Stocking, swore that about month be-
fore Mr.. Grinnell was removed be re-
ceived the following information:
They told me that if Mr.. Murphy or
any other man got appointed in the Gus
tom House, Leet could 60 tight to
Washington and through Porter get a
letter from Gen. Grant to set him
straight in five minutes
This last piece of testimony has been
known to Gen. Grant for year. Be
sides, this Mr. "A. I. Stewart testties that
he. complained twice 20 the President OF
the extortions practiced for the benefit
of Leet:
Q-Have you ever stated your views
to the Secretary Of the Treasury or the
President? A We'll, I prefer that you
should not ask me that question.
never did to the Secretary OF the Treas.
ury.
Q.-Will you mention whether yor
called the attention Of the President tC
Iit2 Al have.
Q.-When first? A.-October yea
japO e