The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-04

theIo us nc HiBnt DC expected 10 De. ~ Is
true that his representative position Is a
scandal and a reproach to the country, but
we have had too many similar appoint
ments from General Grant to be much sur
prised at case like this. Ever since
General Schenck became the leading au-
thority on "draw poker" and prostituted
his official position to promulgate the rules
of the game, and defend 1t as innocent and
harmless, every decent person has thought
1t would be the fitting thing for him to
" step down and out" and If he did not do
1t voluntarily, that he should be made to
do il.
Fortunately for him, unfortunately for
the country, the press and people can little
brook immortality or indecency in high
places, and he was Immediately "under
" fire" and the result was that 1t Just suit
ed the president to retain him in office,
and 30 he remains perpetual. constantly
increasing scandal to the good people of
America. The scandal, however, has now
eliminated, the hight of his infamy and
our disgrace has been reached, there can
be no great surprise in store for us, unless,
perchance, we shall find, this or some
other morning, that he had resigned or the
president had compelled him to retire
that would be happy surprise indeed.
But to the latest, the eliminating, scan
dial. Documents have just been published,
by which it appears that, in 1871, one
John A. Machado had CLAIM, or claims,
amounting to three hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars, pending against Great Britain
for damages alleged, by him, to have been
sustained on account of the seizure on the
coast of Africa, by the British government
of two vessels owned by him. In 1871,
General Schenck, being then our minister
to Great Britain, was interested in the
manufacture of ordnance in this country
and one Norman Ward was his partner in
that business, and transacted all the affairs
OF the firm by virtue of power of attor-
ney from General Schenck. So much by
way of preliminary as showing the bust
ness and personal relations of Schenck and
Wizard.
On the twelfth day of July, 1871, Mac
hado entered into written contract with
Wizard, reciting the nature of his CAM and
that Wizard had agreed to use his best en-
deavors to procure the settlement and pay
ment thereof at the earliest moment, and
covenanting, on the part of Machado, that
in case Wizard should succeed in securing
" such settlement during the time General
" Schenck shall be the minister of the
" United States to Great Britain, the said
" Wizard shall be entitled to receive as a
" compensation for his services one-third"
OF all that should be remaining after pay
ing ten per cent. to certain attorneys. but if
commissioners should be appointed or
any other mode shall be adopted 5y Which
" the settlement or decision thereof shall not
" depend upon the negotiation of Gen.
" Schenck, or if the same shall not be settled
during the ministry Of Gen. Schenok, that
Z" the said Ward shall not be entitled to re-
eeiUe any portion thereof"
Such was the substance of the contract.
but, OF course, General Schenck was ignor
ant of its contents ! The claim must have
been just and honest one, and the limita-
ton was only placed therein in order to
spur Wizard up to its speedy collection.
Wizard had good thing, but being a per-
sonal friend and business partner of
Schenck, and the latter being particularly
careful of avoiding even the appearance of
evil, the last thing that Wizard would do
would be TO give Schenck the least inkling
of what he had undertaken. Like an hon.
est man, he would go to work and collect
his claim, relying on its merits, but feeling
assured that Schenck's integrity would
take alarm at the very first hint that his
partners compensation depended solely on
him individually.
80 honest, unsuspiclous persons might
think, but Wizard would say ''talk such
" stuff to the. marines" This is what he
did do. He Immediately inclosed COPY
Of the contract to Schenck-what offer &C.
tive know not--and, of course.
the American minister made haste, with
righteous indignation, to wash his hands of
all completely with the matter and refused,
even, to so much as examine the claim.
Not at all. He writes, December "a, 1871,
70 Wizard, apologizing for his delay in ans
Wering his communication, but promises
% be "more prompt and punctual in fu-
: ture," and promises, as soon as possible,
o look into the claims and see what can be
lone, and then gently chdes Wizard as fol-
ows; 81 very much regret that my name
should appear" in the agreements. ~
have the most Unlimited faith in you,
but 1t was indiscreet to put in your
agreements any reference to me indiyid-
ually or my term of service here, making |
1t appear to those with whom you bar
gain as il l were to be regarded as in
terested. Neither Macbado
nor bis attorneys should have had
writing with my name mentioned, and l |
deeply regret the use of it.
This letter is for yourself and to be
burned when read. l shall burn what
you have sent me except the regular brief
OF Machado's American attorneys"
Such is Robert c. Schenck, enyoy ex-
and minister plenpotentiary
rom the United States to Great Britain.
lis poker playing propensities should have
recluded his appointment his essay on
draw poker should have secured his re-
ioval his Emma mine speculation should
ave resulted in bis recall but these are
u mere peccadillos in comparison with his
'nnection with Wizard as the attorney of
lachado. 1t is idle to say that, as its d.
lomatic representative. he disgraces his
'untry, for every one knows it. 1t seems
iually idle to believe that we shall soon
Joice In seeing the curse removed.