The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-10
Now and Then.

Three years ago. when OUTwELL was in
full blast and the buving of bonds fifteen
years in advance of their maturity at twen-
~ per cent premium by means Of oppres-
sive taxation was landed to the slliesas the
height of financial wisdom. GRANr was "A
candidate for reelection.
The balloon was kept inflated by pump
ing. in gas of every description. Prices
ruled high, wild speculation ran riot. extra
vagancc was the order OF the day, and the
peoples money was voted away by tom
gress for the profit of Rings, shared in by
the leaders ana large portion OF the Re
publican majority in the senate and the
House Of Representatives. GRANT repre-
sented this proilgate system, aud to con-
tinue it successfully his presence in the
White House was necessary.
To attain this end no means however
scandalous or desperate, wa spared. The
ohiccholders were organized and drilled
ike regular troops. Public patronage was
squandcred with rrcklns, hand. Con-
tracts were distributed whore they would
do the most good. The public department,
WED with each other in diseraceful
partisan rivalry. The Treasury bullcd or
h'arcd the stock market, rs might be use
ful. IN the same service, ana hundreds of
thousands of dollars were assessed on the
custom house, post office. internal rcvc-
nue., and other officials, to support Il
detection in the ranks of the Opposition
headed by CHARLES O'CoNoR.
The FIRST state election OF the campaign
was carried by bareGlccd bribery aud
fraud North Carolina WAS thus counted
out OF her Governor, by the infamous pro-
cess with which the country Is now
familiar through the investigations in
Louisiana aud other States. boutwell,
and DELANo especially contributed TO that
iuiquity, though the Department of Jus
tee was not much behind either, as the
United states Marshal for one district was
allowed to spend q quarter Of II million of
dollars in that year.
In spite of All these extraordinary COM
binatlons, influences, and abuses. the great
Rings which were running the campaign
still had either fears of the final result or
were determined TO make assurance
doubly sure by ncglecting no prccaution
to put their success beyond doubt. Within
q month Of the election they were able t.
enlist an element Of strength which under
ordinary circumstances does not thrust
itself forward a, a class interest in poll
tics, whntcycr individual members may do.
The following appeal was issued oct. 4,
ls,2, and tells its own story pretty plainly.
There are the names of many respectable
men attached to this paper, some OF whom
now doubtless regret that they were misled
into signing away their repute for sagaci-
ty Others would gladly see themselves
out Of such company. Others have re-
pentcd Of their folly. Others have come
to grief. Others are now sitting on the
ragged edge Of anxiety aud despair ana II
few are rs obstinate adhercnts of Grant
ism a. they were in loi2:
From ne htt0 YORK TUnes Oef. 49, 1872.
BUSINESS MEN OF NEW YORK ON THE POLITICAL
SITUATION.
ne CoH'i10N Qfie N'noH4i D,hf M me Fri1 SUITES
fnfho hel H,tH, ut !, si0,d2f,uuO
Tie urdrr.i-utd, merchants, banKers and business
men 100 Sow lufr, rhprcttU'l submit the following
riaemenu for tine Information Of AL parties Interested