Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1876-03-15
AN I'LL LOOKING ANAMoLY.

The testimony oil Oryille Nj. Grant,
the brother Of the President. before the
Committee on Military Expenditures
though very suggestive is not pleasant
reading. II the operations Mr.. o. NJ.
Grant recounts are not absolutely dis.
creditable. or morally wrong they cast
most omipous shadow over the occupant
OF the Presidential chair. How indeco-
rous 1t seems, when we find that the Pres
ident informed his brother that there
would be vacan cies in the trading sta.
tions OF Fort Peck, Fort Bslknap and
Standing Rock. That. in consequence
Of that information. Orville Grant ap-
piled for and received the appointments
snd that he was half partner in one OF
them, without contributing any capital
or rendering any services. II may be
said, that there was nothing legally or
morally wrong in oil this. Concede
there is not. Still for all that. how gal
ling II is to the dignity Of great nation,
to find its chief magistrate attempting to
advance his brothers Interests by APP
pointing him post sutler, there mako
profits. by selling whisky. tobacco and
notions to the soldiers OF whom the
brother Of the sutler is tho COM
mander-i n.chief. Just imagine Or
vile Grant standing behind the
counter of the trading post
selling whisky to this soldier. tobacco to
another or some notions to third.
What il they complained Of quality or
price. or Of keeping dishonest account.
Such things ore not unknown OF a from
tier trading post. How would their tales
OF extortion or dishonesty be received
by their immediate superiors when the
delinquent was the brother Of the Com
mander, whose orders were law to oil the
forces OF the United States whether mil
itary or naval. II may be said that such
q condition of things did not happen.
That Orville Grant, the brother of the
Commander-in.C Chief OF the Army Of the
United States, gave Private Dobbs good
weight when the latter bought few
plugs OF tobacco; and tho bottle Of
whisky that he sold Private Stubs was
not half water or compounded from fusel
oil. and that in keeping the tally Of
their humble dealings he did moi
cheat Thorn. That may all be con
oeded, but the anomalous position o.
the parties is not altered. There they
are. One brother sitting as the official
political and social, head Of the nation il
the Presidential Chair at Washington
sole director Of the arms Of the United
States, and the other selling whisky ant
and notions to the soldiers Of the arm.
OF which his brother has the unlimited
command. The thing has bad look
1t is disoordsnt and out Of keeping. TIL
President might promote his son ant
provide for regiment Of relatives in tn
various departments OF the pupI'
service, but to set his own brother t
selling whisky and notions to the tip
pling and improvident soldiers formini
part Of the army Of which be is chic
Officer, carries with 1t bizarre and re
pulsive appearance that cannot be over
come. II would have seemed strange
the Duke of Wellington had allowed hi
brother, Lord Momington, to keep
rsgimental canteen, or Napoleon ha
made his brother Jerome a post sutler
Yet the former supposition is not 3
outre as the course taken by the Presi
dent and Orville Grant, aud the latter
il more nearly parallel, for Napoleon
like the President. was the head OF tn
nation.