The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-04-17

| DOuy pOlltlc OF one OF us lOuIeSt anu EloS
dangerous ulcers-yet upon this vita! ques
ton, MI. Kellogg has not one word to say.
1t may be, however, that he has abstainee
from touching this sore point for fear OF giving
ofiense to bis, great chief, Ulysses the First
who, if the New York San does not grievously
wrong him, may fairly claim the title Of cham
pion tax-evader and treasury swindler OF The
district lately governed by his friend and boor
companion Boss Shepherd. The allegations
of the SIN are positive and specific, and unless
disproved at once, they place the President OF
the United States in most humiliating
position before the world. This is what the
San of the 18th says:
Under recent act of Congress, new as
sessmeAt of the real estate OF the District of
Columbia is now being made; and the pro-
gress in that work thus far makes some eX-
traordinary, but by no means unexpected re-
velations While Boss Shepherd and his Ring
held possession of the government, they made
it a more Calling despotism than any which
exists in Russia or Turkey, because vulgarity,
ignorance. obstinacy, and jobbery were its
chief characteristics.
A part of their policy was to acquire infu-
ence in Congress, by tempting Senators and
Representatives with interests in real estate
pools at low prices, and then taxing them
nominaly, SO that they might be able to de-
tend an iniquitous system, which, while it
lett them almost exempt from any burden,
threw the whole weight on the community
and Treasury. No fraud could have been
more barefsced.
Gen. Grant is the owner of large property,
bounding on one Of the great circles or open
spaces 1t Washington, which was improved
by the late Board OF Public Works at the pub
lie expense. Whether this estate was gift
absolutely made by the ring, or acquired in
the pool, is not positively known. But opin-
ion strongly incllnes to the former view, from
all the surrounding circumstances.
The adjoining and neighboring property
to that of the President was all taxed at the
rates of 81 so and 81 per foot, according to
locality. while his, which is the choicest in
situation and most valuable of any, was only
assessed at 10 cents per foot This simple
fact tells the whole story of gross favoritism,
corrupt abuse OF power, and reckless defiance
of law, which marked the career CT the
Washington Ring.
All the real estate of the pool. of the Ring
chiefs, of favored officials, members OF Con-
gress and others who supported the thieves,
was scaled down in the same way, SO that the
BxcdI lOdu "a cAOAOANbub tnAnAOA ACA 0POA
that portion of the community which had
already been plundered for special improve
ments and fraudulent measurements.
The President Was aud still is in daily and
intimate association with this ring of robbers. |
Iabcock, who measured the work, is his con-
tidential secretary and intermediary in bust
ness operations. He nominated Shepherd, |
after all the exposures of fraud and jobbery, |
as the head Of the present commission, and |
would do SO again if the Senate could be in
duced to confirm him. He is familiar with |
all the transactions which have justly reused |
over the country, and yet makes |
boon companions of rogues, compared with |
whom Tweed is a model of integrity and |
honor. |
This ring is the head center of the third !
term movement, and manages the patronage |
to favor that scheme. The Presidents mes.
sage threatening the overthrow of the govern |
ment in Arkansas was the production OF their
efforts mixed with a considerable quantity of |
whisky and tobacco. And they are power |
in the government to-day, standing behind |
the President and pulling the wires by which |
he is moved.
Comment on the above facts is unnecessary,
md unless President Grant can clear himself
If this most damaging charge, he shall here
lfter occupy more unenviable position than
he actors in the Beecher- Tilton scandal, and
,e forever entitled to the surname of the
Artful Tax Dodger.