Middletown transcript., 1876-03-18
Pendleton's Extortion.

srs4 ]. H .
TIE Republicans are jubilant over
the discovery Of scandalous transac-
ton on the part Of Mr.. George b
Pepdletou, of Ohio. This gentleman
it seems (proved on his own admission)
while acting ssnPresident'of the Ken
tucky Cestralrailrcad and guardian Of
some minor children who were heirs to
a large amount Of stock in bis railroad.
by means, doubtless. Of little political
or congressional trickery, succeeded in
getting a claim Of the said railroad
against the U. s Government, for
carrying troops during the late war;.
amounting to $4,000 or $3.50. 900.
accepted and allowed BY the u. s
Secretary at War. Belkuap, and con-
sequeutly paid. This claim had been
rejected BY Secretaries Stanton and
Rawlins and others, perhaps because
the then President of the railroad did
not .scome down" handsomely enough,
but when Mr.. Pendleton became the
chief executive Of the said road, knew
ing little better how to manage Re-
publican officials. be speedily succeeded
in persuading the Immaculate Belknap
20 pass his little bill and secured the
payment Of the claim which the r. R
Co... already looked upon as q gone
case. For this piece Of successfullegal
practice be was to receive, aud did re-
ceive. the sum Of $50. .OOO@zalittle more
than half Of the whole claim.
Mr.. Pepdletou's fee was big one
a very big one. butit is admitted thai
the r. R. Company were the clear
gamers to the amount Of $4,000, for
they had given the claim up as lost.
and perhaps but for Mr.. Pendleton's
efforts it would never have been se-
cured. As far as taking this large fee
is concerned, it is private matter
which affects nobody but Mr.. P :, and
the minor children and the r. r
Company. and in no way affects the
Government but the fee was an ex.
orbitant one, and Mr.. Pendleton's act
iu taking it. for the performance Of
that which it was his duty as a faithful
officer and guardian to do without fee,
was, to say the least, very reprehensi:.
ble.. But why the Republican news
papers should fnd SO great consolation
to their spirits, wounded over the ex-
posure Of Belknsp. in this "fall'' Of
Mr.. Pendleton we cannot exactly see
Mr.. p. is but private citizen. though
he has ranked high in political circles.
and hi. acts can in no way affect the
Democratic party. He is. it is true, .
candidate for the Democratic nomina-
ton for President, but he hasn't re-
ceived il. And just here comes in q
marked difference between the Repub-
licans and the Democrats, for whereas
the former sustain the Ben. Buffers.
Credit Mobilier thieves, bribe taking
Grants and Shepherds Of their party.
the Democrats oust, prosecute and
punish the Tweeds and others of like
ilk whenever they discover them.
whether they are Democrats or Repub.
cans. This. even their opponents
themselves acknowledge; for they say
that Pendleton has shelved himself. SO
far as his chances for nomination for
the Presidsucy are concerned, and they.
doubtless. are. correct. The Democracy
have seen enough Of Official corruption
in the Government during the past
seven years to cause them to reject any
man. be he who be may. whose hands
are soiled with evil doing. aud no man
who cannot come with uusuffiied char
acter, need apply for the position Of
standard bearer to the Democratic
party in 1875.