The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-04
THE VAR ON BRIsrOW.
The President's Plot to Ridicuie the Ex-scc-
retary's Professions OF eform.

WASHINGTON, Sept. sit has been evil
dent for several weeks past that a desperate
warfare was going on In political quarters. The
leading com mbatants are President Grant and an
army Of followers on one side, and ex-Secretary
Brstow, Carl SchuIZ, and other good haters on
the other. 1t was important that Bristow's In
huence Ia Vermont for Hayes and the Repub-
lican party should be overcome. There was on
file In the Ire asury Department certain corre-
spondence between Secretary Bristow, Naval
Ofhcer Harmon Of Boston, Assistant Secretary
Conant. and Congressman Luke p. Poland of
Vermont, IN regard to the appointment Of
CDaIles Robinson, a brother-iD-law OF Poland.
as "liquidsting clerk" In the naval once In
Boston. 1t wss desirable that this correspond
ence should be obtained for publication, and
MIR. Bristow subjected to the criticisms which Il
would call forth. Accordingly. the Presidents
spy and one Of the speciai agents OF the Treas
ury Department. WIN. Il. Moore. WIS intrusted
with tho duty OF promulRatng the facts.
Having boen reflsed permission to copy the
documents he appealed To the Acting Secretnry
OF the Treasury, and was told by him thai the
order forbidding the publication OF ofhcia
papers hSd not been revoked by the Secretary,
and while II was In force he coulu not give the
desired permission. This obstacle to the revela-
ton OF Bristows course was at once made
known 10 the rresident. who gave peremptoIy
order that W. H. Moore should have unrestricted
privileges to copy whatever documents he
wished, or to have them copied, as he u light
prefer. Accordingly tho records we're turned
over to Moore. and by him given TO New York
newspaper and printed OH Monday last under
the head Of :" A curious tale of brother.in-law
Will Sr. brstow explainr' The article alleges
that Robinson had once been Consul AT Quebec,
that be was suspended under the Tenure Of
Once act 10y Secretary Fish, In 1870, on a charge
Of IA very grave and even disgfAceful character
which charge was ascertained, It Is asserted, by
an examination OF the report on Gle in the State
Department, and which the Presidents spy had
access to by his orusr. For nye years Rob nson.
II appear, held clerical positions in the Bos on
Custom House.
Secretary Bristow was in Vermont and an
nounoed 10 speak on the subject of ciyil service
reform. The publication OF the correspondence,
which In no way proves that Bristow was cogni-
zant OF Hostnson'a SHORTCOMINGS, wONd DOT he
sum cient for the Presidents purpose. so what
every body else charged aud alleged was com
bined as "a preface TO the letter, for no other
purpose tnan to furnish material for satire
whenever ex Secretary Bristow speaks on the
subject OF civil service reform. II is understood
that in the event that Hays should be elected,
Bristow will again be appointed Secretary Of the
Treasury aud Notwithstanding the assertion Of
Bristow that he intends TO resume the practice
of law In Louisville. he has renewed the lease of
the elegant residence In Washington occupied
by him while Secretary OF the Treasury.