The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-04-17
Chr 9ailg Argas.
independent IN Eoeruthin0.
Behind the Curtain.

Surely there are secrets in the Sanborn
case which the Committee has not vet
dragged to light. We understand pretty
well that Mr.. Richardson and Mr.. SAWYER
were privy to the original arrangements,
and were only shamming when they told
us that they signed all the papers without
knowing to what they referred. We can
comprehend the Secretary's unwillingness
to disclose his completely in a very disrep-
utable business and Mr.. Banfeld's deter
mlnation not to accepta responsibility that
does not belong to him. But there are
other things that are not so clear. We
have not yet found out the influence be-
hind Sanborn. Of course, the Massachu-
sets Spectator did not get this contract
for nothing, and has not kept it without
paying for the privilege in one way or an
other. Fat contracts in Washington are
not to be had for the asking. Sanborn
himself gives the Committee no informa-
ton He paid large sums of money to
| counsel for services that are not ex-
planned he contributed to Gen. Buffers
election fund Ia sums that he does not rec
ollect. As to everything else his mem
DRY is blank. On the cross-examination
he seemed to know even less than the Sec
rotary of the Treasury and his infirnlity
must have excited the wonder and commits
Grafton of the entire Committee.
Now and then, however, one gets peep
behind the curtain; and it is curious
fact that the furtive coat tails that are
then spied, just vanishing out of the range
of sight, invariably suggest the coat-tais
of Gen. Benjamin Z. Butler. Mr. San
born cOnfeSses for instance to the payment
of $4,000 to Mr. Puffer of the New Y ork
Custom house, for services rendered, and
Mr.. Puffer was formerly an officer of Gen.
Butlers staff. This of course may be
merely an interesting coincidence. The
: fact also that Sanborn is one of Gen. But
, ler's political friends may have had moth
+ ing TO do with his getting the contract
: and some singular things that have just
come to light in connection with the Eu-
ropean branch of the business may be ac
: counted tor in a perfectly proper manner
1t will be remembered that Mr.. Sanborn
had confidential man" in New Y ork
who didn't wish to be mixed up in this
matter, and whose name Sanborn accord
ingly refused to give to the Committee
This person now turns out to be Mr.. A e.
Fay, and we are assured that heis neph.
ew of Gen. Buffers right-hand man ir
Boston, Mr.. Fay, while in the service Of
J Sanborn, was sent to Europe as specia
@ agent of the Treasury, with a commission
+ a salary, and an allowance for expenses
E from the Government, and there spent hi;
4 time partly in the examination of some Of
Sanborn lists of nonresident taxpayers
and partly in the investigation of Custom
house underyaluations. Mr.. Sanborn
l. strange to say, having an interest in tn
mnieties also Finally when Sanborn wa
arrested in Brooklyn on the conspiracy in
dictment it was Butler who came to his ali
> and went upon his bail bond
ST These condolences, or accidents, or what
&c eyer you choose to call them, are getting t
l. be so frequent that the Committee ough
r r to insist upon lifting the curtain littl
r more, and pursuing the feet coat tails I'll
I'd til it lays its hand upon the wearer.
~ A ray of light is thrown upon tn
of mysterious power behind Sanborn by tn
e Springfield Republican Prescott, tb
unknown Boston lawyer, to whom Sanbor
es says he paid $25, 0OO in fees, proves to b
OF one OF Buffers henchmen and formerly b
nd private secretary, That accounts, prob;
We bly,, for Buffers name not being anon
n recipients of the Sanborn bounties.
In the Boss Sheperd frauds in the Di:
trict of Columbia, the evidence showed IL
disposition of $685. 900 of the $4,000 viii,
: the contractors, De Golyer and McClela
gave to Chittenden to apply toithe PAYNE
of the public debt Col r. G. Parsons r
- ceived $4,000 Of it and Rev. Mr. Brow
| $4,000. Col. Parsons, is now, thong
not at the time the contract was awarde,
Ia ID member OF the House from Ohio, Ge
Garfield is also proved to have received a #
OF all the rotten set of scalawags wi
ever held Office, the Republicans take pr
cedence