The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-16
Dabcock's Offices.

The day the Presidents most coniiden-
tial friend AMI Illegal secretary was IN
dictcd al It. Louis for conspiracy to de
fraud the revenue, he was holding no less
than four distinct Offices each wholly in
dependent OF the other. separate in func-
tions and important IN trust. They are
Colonel of Engineers, Secretary TO the
President, Engineer in Charge of Public
Buildings and Grounds, aud Engineer Of
Building for the STATE, War. aud Navy
Departments. Besides these places, he
also holds several honorary appointments
in the direction of public charities in
Washington.
This accumulation Of favors is signih-
cant; and the fact that BABCock was
held III such esteem bv the Prcsi-
dent, stood 40 near to his couh-
denoe and shared So closely III Ms ntilna-
cv, was the controlling reason why his in
iluence was sought ana purchased by the
Rings. The cn,cfs believed ald still
believe that GRANT was interested himself,
and that BABcocK was an intermediary
chosen to take care of his superior, but
who never forgot to take care of himself.
This opinion may be unjust, but multi
The appointment of BABCoCK as secreta-
ry, brought him necessarily into most con-
ndentinl relations with the President. He
had access 10 all the public and private
correspondence, was assumed bv the heads
of departments to reflect GRANTS wishes.
admitted or denied visitors at pleasure,
POSSESSED the political secrets, and was a
connecting link between SENATORS, Repre-
sentatives, and prominent politicians, and
the President. Adroit, plausible, and Of
fair address, he knew how to use these all
vantages, and gradually became "A power,
to be oOurted on tho one hand aud TO be
feared on the other.
The next step was to make him Engineer
in CHARGE of the Public Building aud
Grounds, place formerly held by "A Com
missioner part Of whose conventional
functions was to assist the President at
public receptions and 10 look after the Ok
pendlturcs for the White House. Congress
votes usually about half Il million Of dol
lars TO be laid out by tins officer on the
| buildings and grounds, exclusive of those
in process o, construction. This money IS
chiefly intended for repairs and improve
ments.
Under BABcocK the appropriations for
| the White House and for the PRESIDENT
have exceeded all former experience. The
| custom was to furnish the EN ,culivc Man
sion every fourth y ar, at he inlugura-
ton ola new President, AMI 10 apply snail
amounts for the grounds. Bat since GRANT
came in, tens of thousands have been an
nually appropriated for that object and
| for others, OF which there is no vi tble
sign. The beliif IS that these thousands
have been diverted TO personal uses and
thus have relieved the cost Of the Prrsi-
dents household, while BAncocK ma le
free with other appropriations expended
under his sole direction.
II Is easy TO ana -rstand that these attcn-
| tion- strengthened him with ia family Of
the White House. aud gave him access to
| oppOrtuui les such IA no other person on
ioycd. Ill, position was in fact stron ger
| than that Of any member of the Clbilet.
| On the2lih of VI lrch last he was nppointe1
10y the Secretary OF War 10 tax chlge OF
| tn continuation Of tho work on the huge
pie o. buildings for the SAFE, navy, an |
War Departments, of Whi..l the nr,t stor }
80 Hni-hei. The cost OF thl. work. isr,l.
ma et TO range hotween SIX and olght mn.