Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-07-13
Greeley, FenIOn and Murphy,
From the Rinrhamtop Republiean.

Greeleyites are constantly asserting that Grant
did wrong in appointing Murphy collector of
the port of New York. The time has come
when the Fenton and Tribune fasehoods on
this subject, and the base motives therefor
should be exposed and the truth published.
When Grant appointed Murphy he did not
know that anything could he said against him;
and there has been no substantial cause or justi-
fable ground for aSsailing Grant by Fenton
and the Tribune, as facts will show.
In the first place Murphy made good col
leetor, and honestly collected and disbursed the
revenues at New York, and at a less percentage
or cost to the government than that for which
any former collector had ever collected and dis
bursed the same amount of money within the
same period. The base motives that FentOn
and the Tribune editor had for assaling Murphy
will show why they have abused Grant for APP
pointing him collector.
Before Murphy was appointed collector he
had testified before an investigating committee
that Jay Could and one Harris had admitted
to him that $4,000 was paid for Fenton's APP
proval, as governor, of one of the Erie railway
bills. FentOn did not 90 before that committee
TO deny that he received the $40 900, or to deny
that he was benefited by that money. But Har-
ris, who resided at Albany, and Jay Gould testi-
fed before such committee as friends of Fen
ton. They were compelled bv a chain of cir
cumStances TO admit that the $4,000 was paid
by Gould to Harris to procure Fentons APP
proval of the Erie bill; but Harris said he re-
celVed the money Tor arguing as counsel before
Gov. Fenton to convince him it was proper for
him TO approve the bill, lChich he did.
When Murphy was made collector it became
necessary for Greeley and Fenton TO destroy
him to get rid of the effect of his evidence
against the latter FentOn made the first attack
on Murphy in the senate, which was followed
up by series OF malignant attacks on him in
the Tribune. Charges against him respecting
some army contracts on which he had been ac-
quilted by Gen. Dix and others, were raked up
and distorted in the columns of the Tribune TO
induce Grant to remove him. The Tribune tried
the case over again, and suppressed one side of
it. We care nothing for Murphy, but so much
is due to be said in fairness. Grant knowing
the motives of Fenton and the Tribune, would
not become their accomplice, nor aid their
scheme. He had appointed Murphy by reason
largely of the dOtage and incOmpetency of
Grinnel, and would not remove him on charges
in no way affecting his integrity as collector,
the Tribune, had no foundation. He finally in
duced Murphy to resign, in order to secure peace
and harmony in the republican ranks.
But he failed to paciy Fenton, who then
thought he could make Grant unpopular and
be nominated for president by the republican
party. And Greeley, intending TO destroy the
| republican party, continued his unjust and ma
lignant attacks on Murphy and Grant in the
Tribune because he Greeley was corresponding
with copperheads and rebels to secure his own
nomination by them for president, as is proved
by his letlers TO the editor of the Rebel Caucau-
sian of Missouri, and Others. One of his letters
is dated October 4, 1871.