The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-10-28
tba soolo Whom elevated to his preSen

the scale. when eleVdteu W HIS IoSout
place he was comparatively poor. Now he
lives sumptuously and maintains costly
estab]ishment-of course upon his salary.
Dnring the Franco-German war, in which
the United States proclaimed neutrality,
millions worth of arms we're sold to France
from the public armories, through a ring
in New York with the conniyance OF Mr.,
Belknap.
The name of George NJ Robson has
become familiar to the public in coonnec,
ton with the. allowance of fraudulent
claims and, other jobbery in the Navy De,
partment, some of which were reopened
after rejection by his predecessor, againsst
positive law and all established usage OF
the public service. At the time OF his APP
nointment he could barely earn living at
the bar, and he was urged by MS pal lpn
and predecessor, Mr.. Bore, because .1e
salary would improve his financial condi-
ton.
TIE and the co1federates who job tor
him and themselves have made the de-
nartment and its vast contracts and pur-
cbases mine of wealth. From poverty
he has risen to sudden affluence, contests
the palm of shoddy display with the nch,
est of the new rich, owns fine house at
Washington, has recently built cottage
at Long Branch, drives fast horses, anu
entertains magnifcenuy at the pubic OK
pense. u.;rtr
Columbus Delano is one of the th IiIas
Christian statesmen, who DIVIDES NE ',ua
when at Washington between S Ing;nas
psalms and negotiating with the ih Ma.
and Railroad Rings. 1t is estlmateu ,1ia y
his worldly store had been ihcieas9o d
million of dollars since he first served as
Uommissioner of Internal Revenue IN the
palmy and prosperous days OF the WHISKY
finder the benignant rule Of this pious
r.tr;ot the Indian appropriations have tbs,
on from three and quarter to seven ana
a halt millions year, the supplies ana an,
mites of the tribes are stolen, ana Tue
Peace Commissioners have Indignantly re-
because they could not SANCTION the
robbery he protects. Thousands OF honest
and moor settlers have been driven from
their homes by his arbitrary decision IN
favor of great corporations that knew how
IN nlace their money where it would do the
most good.
After two whitewashing Investigations
of his straw bids, John a. >, CresWei
Thought it wise TO retire from the Post
Office. with another threatened and the
nrosnect of a new House of Representa-
lives to make the next one something else
than n purchased sham. But he was able
to set up bank on his savings after
splurging like ''the rest of them, as Cakes
Ames would say, aud shelterlng himself
under one of the grand mansions at the
capital. r,.,,.
Three years ago George H. Williams
occupied small apartment in the third
story of the National Hotel at Washington,
living upon his pay as Senator from Ore
gon and the pickings, with occasional tees
for claims before the departments. 10
the surprise of everybody he was made
member Of the Alabama Commission, and
when that closed was translated into the
Office of Attorney General, where he has
principally become known as the counsel
of Kellogg, aud the carpet-baggers gen.
orally
In the short space of time between 1871
and 1874, this individual has acquired large
wealth and real estate at Washington
discreetly in his wiie's name, and apes the
ways of fashion in the most extravagant
manner. He appealed number OF the
largest claims for cotton, which had been
allowed by the Court of Claims after
searching scrutiny, and then withdrew the
appeals with remarkable activity, upon be-
ing satisfied that they ought not to have
been taken. Who satisfied him does not
appear on the record.
When Horace Porter was witness be-
fore the committee which investigated the
Leet and Stocking iObbery, he testified
that his own family, that of Gen. Babcock,
and Lcet individually, made up military
mess at Washington in 1869, for the sake
of economy, and because they were all
poor and had no other means than their
pay as officers to live upon. He stated
the highest average per capita as about
$55 month.
That is not very long ago, but the worlt
has prospered marvelously with them, on
and all, in these few years. Gen. Babcock
illegally called the secretary OF the Presl
dent, is the engineer in charge Of the pub
lie buildings and grounds at Washineton
who measured the Ring work and certilie'
all their vouchers, whereby three and
half millions were taken at one lump OF
the treasury. Fortune has smiled upo
him most literally also. He, in compan
) with the Boss, has built block of show
residences, in the best Of which he is hin
self housed for the gay season, after whic
CONTINUED on third page.)