New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-08-22
From the New York Times
Senator DOOlittlc.
He Exaets Money for HIS Influence.


He Exacts Money for His Influence.
James r. Doolittle, of Wisconsin, is peram-
bulating about the country making speeches in
the interest of Greeley and Reform. He de-
nounces Gen. Grant for receiving presents
and for the corruptness of his administration
The documents which we publish below will
show this champion OF reform in his true
light. After these documents are well con-
sidered by the public, we venture to say that
he will add another to the somewhat numer-
Gus Performers" who, in the brief campaign
of sixty days, have been compelled to go in
to retirement, carrying with them the sweet
Consciousness that they have practically il
| lustrated in their own careers, the kind of re-
form which might be expected if the Greeley
and Brown Republican Democratic sorehead
combination could succeed.
We have to add that the letters printed be-
low have been most carefully examined, and
that there cannot be shadow of doubt as to
every word being in the handwriting of Mr..
Doolittle. They will be photographed and
submitted to public inspection.
The affidavit below explains the story,
which is the only introduction needed to the
letters:
STATE OF NEW YORK, CITY AND COUNTY
OF NEW YORK, S.: Thomas j. Conatty,
being duly sworn, deposes ard says: 1 re-
side and have resided since the fall of 1865
in New York city; / was appointed to a
clerkship in the office of the Secretary of the
Treasury, in Washington, D. c., in 1868 it
was in the month of January; resigned my
position there in November, 1861, on account
of failing health.
HOW A COTTON PERMIT WAS OBTAINED.
| 1 learned about this time tina many gen.
tlemen had obtained permits fro n the Presi-
dent to trade in cotton in tie Southern
States; believing it was favorable oppor-
tunity for large business operation, APP
piled through influential friends of mine,
among whom was Hon. J. r. Doolittle, then
United States Senator from Wise )nsin, to the
President for such a permit; subsequently,
obtained the permit to trade in cotton in the
Estates of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia,
Texas, and Louisiana; had not seen Sena-
tor DOolittle for two or three weeks after OBJ
tanning it; Inever meditated making Senator
Doolittle any offer or consideration for any
service he may have done me before or after
l obtained it, because had too exalted an
opinion of his character, nor had any idea
he expected any recompense from ME up to
the time of the following occurrence.
HOW SENATOR DOOLITTLE GOT A QUARTER
| INTEREST.
Some two or three weeks after L obtained
the permit, met the Senator accidentally in
a street car in Washington, and told him
had obtained it. He congratulated me on
the successful termination of the matter.
He reflected little, and said nothing further
except to ask me to call at his committee
room in the Senate House next morning. l
called the next morning, in accordance with
stantially: " You have good thing and will
make a pile of money, and can afford to be
a little generous l did not know what he
meant. He then said to me in substance
" You know l am poor man, and have not
made any money since have been in public
life. 1 think you can afford to let me share
in the proceeds, and be none the poorer
And with this he handed me the letter hereto
attached, marked letter No. /, which he said
he had scrubbed off, wishing me to copy and
send it to him as my own. AT the same time
he handed me letter No. 2, hereto attached,
dated the following day, which he said would
be his response to my generous offer con-
tanned in letter No. l. was too much sur
prised to make any response. 1 took these
two letters from his Office with me to Balti-
more, where l then resided. Next day !
copied letter marked No. |, changing the
phraseOlogy Of one of the sentences referring
to myself, that would he indicate had they
come from me. His reply had already re-
ceived, as stated above, having retained both
letters in my possession. This was substan-
TALLY all that occurred on that occasion.
HOW THE SENATOR HELPED HIS PARTNER
AND HIMSELF.
On the Both of December left Washington
for New York city, and received while at the
Astor House on or about the lst of January
through the post office, letter No. 3, hereto
attached, and accompanying it letter No. 4
| al 1,al 80.
Banks, both in the same Enclosure. Gen
Banks was then about to proceed to Louis.
lana as commander of the Federal forces in
the Department of the Gulf, and could have
been OF essential service in this cotton opera
ton. While | was in New York | learned
that some change had been made in the list
of articles which were prohibited from being
exchanged for cotton, and l wrote to Senator
Dooittle to get for me from the War Depart
ment list of the prohibited articles. In
response l received, while still in New York
letter No. 5, hereto annexed. Subsequently
in the carrying out of this enterprise, pro.
ceeded to New Orleans, and in the month OF
May, 1865, presented this letter Of introduc.
ton to Gen. Banks in New Orleans. Gen
Banks received me kindly, and after reading
the letter handed 1t back to me, saying
This might be of some future service tc
you." l said it might, and took it.
THOMAS j. CoNATTY.
Sworn to before me this 10th day of Au
gust, 1872. NJ. NJ. BUDLONG,
Notary Public New York City and County
In presence of Thos. Franklin Smith,
THE LETTERS.
No. |.
The letter which Doolittle himself wrot.
for Conatty to send to him-the original il
Doolittle's handwriting
WASHINGTON, Dec. 90, 1864.
Hon. J. II. DoOlittie:
DEAR SIR: l have been engaged for two
years past in the Treasury Department
where have been assiduously at work, earl,
and late, until seriously feared my health
might give way.
In consequence of the confidence which my
fidelity there has inspired IN the head of the
Department, l have received permit t.
trade and to purchase cotton to the amount
of fifty thousand bales.
This has been freely given me and now
my dear sir, allow me to say that during al
my stay here have witnessed on your par
in the high position you occupy the same
fidelity, and, l may add, such position anC
course of conduct, that my heart has beer
-