davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
onTn's VENEZUELA c1AnA

fhe awards of the Venezuela Claims commission
amounted 10 81 .253. 800. of which S794, 600 was awarded
by the umpire, a young man who had been in the EN-.
ployment of Talmage, the American Commissioner.
The House Committee which investigated the subject,
declared that not a single one of the awards was
justified by law or evidence, and that the Govern
ment could not consequently with national honor
tary of Legation and broiher-inlaw of StilweIl
the American Minister. obtained as attorney awards
amounting to 1851 600, and all the claims not
represented by Murray were represented by Talmage,
the American Commissioner himself. The complaints
of the Venezuelan Government led to an investi-
CATION by the Foreign Affairs. Committee, of which
Godlove 5. Orth of Indiana was Chairman, but il did
not result in any action doing justice to Venezuela.
Subsequent investigation showed, that between Two Of
Mr.. ortl's Congressional terms, by his own testimony,
he was hired by Stilwell and Talmage to aid their claim,
and received seven of the one thtusand dollar certif.
oates which they issued. Mr.. Ortiz was nominated for
Governor of Indiana by the Republicans, but these dis
closures compelled his withdrawal.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
onv1 AND ULYSSES GRANT.

This organized business in posttraderships was
carried on by others than Belknap. Orvil Grant, the
Presidents brother, received information from tho
and Indian agencies, and was able to sell his infu.
ence to applicants, and in this way obtained large
interests in a dozen or so posts into which he put no
capital, but from which he derived usually one-third Of
the profits. These facts were admitted by Oryil
Grant in his testimony. That the President probably
understood the use which his brother male of his infor-
nation may be inferred from his own action in a SIM
liar case. In 1867, when he was General of the army,
and had the appointment Of postiraders, a relative,
w. D. w. Bernard, asked an appointment for one
Barrow. stating in writing to Gen. Grant, that Barrow
was TO give him onethird of the annual profits for
his influence. Barrow was appointed. This is shown
by testimony before the House Committee on War De-
partment Expenditures.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
scHENcK AND his PECULIAR IDEAL.

Gen. Schenck's connection with the Emma Mine
company was formed on Parks proposal that he
Oh ud subscribe for 500 shares, cash value 10000,
but should not he required TO provide my money.
Park was TO lend him the money without interest,
and guaranteed that the dividends should amount
to 2 per cent. per month, while held by Schenck,
and agreed to take the shares back at any time
at par. Practically this gave Schenck a bonus Of
"a per cent. on the stock because the note was made
payable in one year and bore no intcst. Subsequently
the dividends guaranteed were reduced to / per cent. and
the bonus thus reduced TO Is per cent No security was
ever given. Gen. Schenck did not consult the Secretary
OF State as TO the ~propriety Of allowing his name to 10
for him and the dividends guaranteed was kept secret.
The fraudulent character of the enterprise was soon
testimony was proved to be mainly false. The Com
niuss unanimously reported a resolution eondemnins
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
wM. A. WHEELER ON BRIBERY.

The Republican House preceding the present one,
discovered that a portion of the Pacific Mail million ex-
pended in bribery, went into the hands of the assistant
doorkeeper and another %employe. The Investigating
In their cases as both had resigned. The assistant door.
keeper was, however. kept on the payroll during the
recess of nine months, and at the opening of the next
Congress he was nominated for doorkeeper by William
A. Wheeler, The Republican candidate for Vice Presi.
dent, who voted for him in common with his Republi-
can colleagues.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
BLACK FRIDAY.

Secretary Boutwell, reversed the policy of his prede-
cessor, of keeping his intention TO sell gold secret, and
advertised his sales, thus Forwarding spectators. This
inspired prominent spectators with the idea that if the
sales could be prevented for a time they could force
the price up. Jay Gould effected a combination with
A r. Coriin, the Presidents brother in-law, and with
Gen. Porter, Gen. Babcock and Gen. Buticrfield, first
securing the appointment of Buttertield as Assist
ant Treasurer at New York. The President was neces
and Gould on a Fall River boat. Other interviews fol-
lowed. Corbin was given, in July. 1861. $3.50. 900 in U,
3. bonds, and in September Gould bought for him ST.
800. 900 in gold. The President, during this month,
wrote a letter TO the Secretary, giving his views against
a sale of gold; and then went to visit relatives in WASH
ington, Pa, a village accessible by rail only from
Wheeling, w. Va. This made all access to him diff
cult, and Fisk and Gould at once began to l,uy gold.
By Sept. 10, they controlled fifty 10 sixty millions and
this was held for Buttcrfeld. to whom Gould had also
loaned $4,000 without security. Fisk testified that
Gould told him about Sept. Is or 90, when they were
getting a little uneasy. This matter is all fixed up
Corbin has got Butterteld all right, and Corbin has got
Grant fixed all right" He also testified that Corbin
told him that Mrs. Grant had an interest that Gould
had sold S5000OO of gold belonging 10 Mrs. Grant lheld
by Corbin, who held an equal amount for Porter " leav-
ing a balance in her favor of about $4,000, and that q
check for $25, 900 had been sent" The whole country
was now excited over the advance of gold. Fisk got
Corbin to write the President by special messenger TO
prevent any Governmental interference. The President
reached Washington City, Sept. %, and was besieged
by the New York merchants, who implorcd him TO sell
gold The order was not given until noon, Srpt. "a,
but Gould knew of it hours before and sold all the
morning. The money delivery book of Adams Ex-
press Company showed the delivery of y So, 600 pack
age 10 Mrs. Grant at the White House.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
BOARDING BABcocK's DOC.

Among Gen. Babcock's bills as Commissioner Of
Public Buildings and Grounds, paid out Of the u. S.
Treasury. was one OF $50 for the board of his dog, and
four bills of sl73. sc. S160.l5. $3.50. and S2l5 respectively,
all for requiring and painting his carriages. The total
dog up 10 date has been $500. He also rented hand.
some rooms. built stables, and maintained horses and
carriages. The contingent expenses of lis predecessors
were limited to $3.50 per annum. lie also furnished
bouquets. &c, to the Ring. with larger decorations foi
parties. His books show charges for skeletons of 1925
flower baskets, 224 wrcaths. 173 crosses, 20 vases, an.
chors, &c, nd iiitum.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
i CHRISTIAN STATESMAN.

ing. was proved by investigation 10 have distracted
from the appropriations for the Freedmen's Burcan,
Of which he was the head, $500, 600 for Howard
University, of which he was also the head TO have sold
university land improperly, and taken church bonds in
payment TO have compelled the use of brick in the
University Buildings, manufactured by a company in
which he wasa stakeholder ; to have paid out of Bureau
funds over 1900 10 aid in buildi g his Washington
church, taking church bonds in payment, which were
returned in his accounts as cash, and TO have made
iilnilar advances on Like security to the Y. II. C.. A. Of
Washington.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
BELKNAP.

In 1872 a New York paper published the evidence Of
Gen. Hazen, showing that post-traders were compelled
to pay large sums for their appointments. the paper in
ferring openly that the money went to Belknap. The
testimony was brought to President Grants attention,
but he declined to take any action on it. In March,
1876, the Democratic House obtained proof of Belknapis
guilt, and he was impeached, the President accepting
his resignation with great regret" and thereby en-
aiding him to escape conviction. twenty-five Republi-
can Sen; to s and one Democratic voted for his acquit-
tai. His counsel took the ground that Gen. Belknap
had accepted presents just as Gen. Grant had done, and
argued that he had not acted any more criminally than
the rest of them. The testimony showed that two of
Belknap's ofhcebrokers made at least 100000 each, for
securing a half-dozen appointments, in one case charg-
ing 81 900 for an introduction to him. From Marsh,
Belknap received fully SEQ, 600 as his half of the black
mail levied a.on Evans. Within a fortnight after this
disclosure, the Ohio State Convention, which presented
Governor HAYES for the Presidency, e~ulogized the Ad-
ministration in the highest terms, and the a action
has been taken by every Republican State and National
Convention before and since. Eleven of the post-traderz
who testified paid $4,000 in 1872 to help reelect Grant,
and one of them admitted having paid assessments with
In the present year.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
FOR THE PEOPLE TO DEcIDE.

The official Investigations from which These few
details are complied MI thousands aud Thousands
ofpagcs. Not a hundredth part IL told here ofwhat
might be told not a thOusandth part OF what WIN
be discovered ir the man who convicted Tweed on
the evidence of his own bank books IL alowst
access 10 the records of the Republicans Admins.
tratfon. Was a republic ever before ruled BY .
party 80 absolutely and irredeemabiy cerrupsS
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
TIE FACTS ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA.

The property valuation in South Carolina amouted in
1860 to $3.50, 900, 600 in 1870. il was $40. 600. 900, a
decline of 81 per cent. The tax levy amounted in 1860
nearly 500 per cent. The legislative expenses amount.
ed in 1860 TO $4,000 in 1915, to 1901, 600, an increase
of nearly 700 per cent
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
WHAT TIE WHITE HOUSE cosrG

The total expenditures of the White House from
1857 to 1866, were $2l3, 02S the total expenditures for
annual Republican average. 1921 .2s4 annual Demo-
cratic average. S5a,257; Republican excess. sGs.027.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
VERY LITTLE RECORD, AND KoNE OF IT GOOD.

49,
r. B. Hayes was a member of the 39th and 10th
Congresses. During that time he distinguished him.
self only by his yoles for subsidies and Jobs. March
2, 1867, he voted for a bill making extra allowance to
contractors for iron-cads, which the Secretary of the
Navy testified was backed by one of the strongest lob
bies he had ever seen. The allowances were in addi-
ton to others already made by a Government Board.
Dir. Hayes voted against the motion to postpone the
consideration of the bill against the motion TO lay on
the liable and in favor of the bill. An allowance was
made under this bill amounting to $25O.000, half Of
which went to Robeson's friend Secor. Logan and
Schenck put through the House a bill restoring the
iron-clad Gmanche to its builders, by which $4,000
was taken from the Treasury. The bill was denounced
on the floor by Mr.. Spaulding. but Mr. Hayes voted for
It Seventeen acts, making grants of public lands to
corporations, passed the HOUSE during Hayes's member.
ship. but on only seven were the Democratic minority
able to force a yea and nay vote. On all seven Nh. Hayes
is recorded in favor of these bills, and never by speech or
vote against them. The amount of land accruing to the
Central, Union, and Kansas Pacific road under these
grants, was 81, 100000 acres, an area almost equal to
the whole of New England, and the amount of Govern.
ment bonds issued to them was 1914, 000, 900. All Of
these bills were opposed. and most of them openly de-
nounced, without effect on Mr.. Hayes. MIR. Hayes
only speech was made in explanation of his favorable
action onthe Bouligny claim which had been adjudged
null and void by the [. S. Supreme Court twenty-four
years before. MIR. Washburne Qaep6 of Wisconsin,
offered a bill directing suspension of the law, and said
that a more fraudulent claim was never presented to
Congress.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19

nXYEs's MAKERS ON CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Governor Hayes was nominated at Cincinnati chiefly
by the supporters of Morton, and Cameron, aided by
the influence of President Grant. Governor Hayes chief
point In his letter Of acceptance was his promise of a
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
Campaign Texts.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE
PARTY.
Why a vots for Hayes is a vots for Gram.
THE SINGLE ISSUE.

Every Republican Convention, State and Ma.
tionaI, held since Gen. Grant became President,
has endorsed his Administration, with all its
crImes and corrupfions, In the fullest terms. The
Ohio Convention, which presented Gov. Hayes
as a candidate, endorsed the Administrator; the
National Convention which adopted Gov. Hayes
as a Candidate, endorsed the administration
Gov. Hayes, In his Letter of Acceptance. re-en-
dorsed these endorsements. What that Admire
tstrafion was, these records show.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19

actual and contingent debt Of Tennessee, in 1865, was
S26. 7T7,347, and in 1872. 3d., 54,476 increase, So
277, 1879. In Texas, the actual and adjusted debt, in
1865, was s3ss. $3.50; the total contingent and prospective
debt, in 1872, was Sl2, 954. ss7, being an increase Of
Sl2, 629 GIL. The debt of Virginia increased from SAL
600, 900 in 1865, to SAT, 000, 900 in 1871, the small in.
crease being due to The shortlived power of the carpet
baggers. The total increase in the debt of the eleven
Southern States, since the war, is S172, $40.
LAND STOLEN FROM SETTLERS.
The total number of acres of public land bestowed in
Immigrants by Republican Congresses is 296, 600;
the total area given away is 294, 1853 square miles, a
larger area than that of Maine, New Hampshire. Yer
mont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New
land, Ohio and Indiana combined. The total area of
all these States is only 256, 200 square miles
WHAT Mr.. wHEELER's RAILROADS HAVE GOT.
The bonds issued to Pacific railroads by Republican
Congresses which are now outstanding amount to
$8462S ,512; and tie amount of interest paid by the
United States, allowing for repayment by transporter
ton of mails, &C., amounts to SIS, Ill ,O13.
FOUR THOUSAND MILLIONS SPENT BY GRANT.
From March 4, 1850. to June 80, 1861, or 70 years. the
entire net ordinary expenses of the Government were
81, 5S1, 706, 1876; from June 30, 1861, to juno 30, 1875, or
fourteen years, they amounted, exclusive of the public
debt, to s., 200, 250.759. The net ordinary expenses in
the ten years of peace since 1865, are 81, pS4 233,4l2
The total expenditures Of the six years of President
Grants administration, ending with June 80, 1875.
S4.00S. 43S, 461.
GRANTS ARMY OF EMPLOYEES.
The number of civil employees under President Blu
chanan was A, 527; under Lincoln in 1868, when tha
war was at its height, 1876; under Grant in 1879,
54,2O7; under Grant In 1873, $4,000; under Grant in
1876, ZOE, $50.
FIVE MILLIONS OF DEFALcAT1oNa
The amount of defalcations under President Grants
Administration has been, by postmasters, $373.371; by
marshals, 249, 260; by sundry public officers, $265. 713;
by collectors of internal revenue, $9,312, 544; by navy
officers, $623, 208; by army officers, 1874. 553, &c, &C.;
total number of defaulters, $40; total of defalcations,
$500. 500.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19

bis action as s.iiiadvised, unfortunate and inecmpsk
ible with the duties Of his official position. " and ths
House unahiiaously adopted it
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
A COSTLY INDIAN POLICY.

The total expenditure for the support of the Indians
during the six years preceding the war was $21. BIS, 29S.
present administration, during which the Indians were
fewer in number, was SAC, 925, 4SS. The annual average
before the war was 81, So, 216; the annual average un-
der Grant Is s6.Ss0,9l4 The annual excess unler
under Grant is $19,546, 1S9, or nearly the whole sum ex-
pended in the support of the Indians in the six years
before the wal. In the first year of Grants administra-
ton, the expenses were only So, 400, 93S. but a little less
than the average of the six years before the war; but in
the following year the expenses leaped up to s., 1926, 997.
and have since held substantially that figure. The cx-
SIS, 1884, CSC, more than the entire Stale taxes of the State
of New York.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
CONTRAST THAT TELLS ITS OWN STORY.
DEMOCRATIC HrrRENcHMEsr IN A SINGLE rzAn.

DEMOCRATIC RETRRNCHMENT m A SINGLE TEAh.
The estimates made by the Republican heads Of de-
partments for the current year amounted to $2O3,099,.
OPS. The Democratic House allowed them only $685.
7f2, $40. but the Senate increased it to s15e, 260. 598.
This sum was reduced by the House to $14f, 1904
made. The House thus reduced the appropriations
500 ,994, 253 below those of the last year, and $780,.
S79,95l below the estimates for this year. The redue
ton would have been $40, 000. 600 greater if it had nas
been for the obstinacy of q factious Sonata
GOV. rILDEN's nEFoR14
The New York State taxes In 1874 were SIS. 727, 4ss,
In 1876 they are So, 26s. 1875; reduction, very largely das
TO Gov. Tldaa. sss4s0t2se.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
noBEsoN's INCOME AND now IT GREW.

UOBESOd 8 lNCOMh AMI INV L Z--.
Mr.. Robson became Secretary of he Navy in 1860,
and was then very poor. The income which he testi-
fed to under oath il 63, was Sl92; in ga, Sl35
in 80, the year of his appointment, 81 900. In a
few months he had accounts in five banks, aggregating
$467,546. The books of Messrs. A. G. Cattell Il Co.
show that a close business intimacy began with MIR.
Robson when he was appointed. E. g.. Cattcll sold his
influence with Mr.. Robson TO many naval contractors,
demanding as his price 8 per cent. on the total
amount of the contract. The investigating committee
could not discover all such cases, but they did discover IL
cases in which the contracts amounted to 1921 ,029;
from z of these contractors, Cattell received $4S, 500;
from one of these dealers many private purchases were
made by the Secretary and his wife, the bills being
settled by Cattell. One contractortestifed that he paid
Cattell S37, 1000. Various witnesses testified that Robe
son was well informed of the payments to the CaItells,
and many kilograms and letters placed in evidence
showed that the most cordial intimacy existed between
them. Secretary Robson ordered paid claims, which
had been rejected by Secretary Welles, one OF the most
upright of Secretaries, amounting 10 $Io9, $40.
Among these was the famous Secor claim,
which was paid, although the Secors had formerly
accepted $115, 900, in full discharge of the claim.
These claims were put through by attorneys, most OF
them intimate with Robson. The failure of the house
of Jay Cooke & Co. in 1878 threatened the safety Of
the branch house in London. Secretary Robson, in
order to help the Cookies and Cattells, advanced 81 no.
600 to the London house four days after the failure OF
the house in New York. The entire amount went to
the firm, and not TO pay drafts of paymasters in for
eign ports, as was claimed. 100000 OF this amount
has never been recovered. The naval investigation
showed that Mr.. Robson expended fully 1000, 900 a
year for political purposes in navy yards, Keeping some
times as many as 1900 men on hand. The eXpendi-
lures of the Navy Department since Robcscns appoint
ment have been S2l0,u37,4S1 The result of all this
expenditure is that, in the words OF Admiral Porter:
"0ur navy, taken as o whole, is worth nothing and
in this view the testimony of every prominent naval
officer agrees. The House has directed the Judiciary
Committee to report whether Robson should not be i'm
peached, but he Is still retained in the Cabinet.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
WHAT THE DISTRICT RING ACCOMPLISHED.

The municipal expenses of the District of Columbia
from July 1st, 1871, to July list. 1876, were $42, 6s7. 097.
The amount expended in improving less than one-half
the streets of Washington in the past five years was $780,
972, 0l2. $40, 600, 600 worth of this work has already
gone to ruin and must he replaced. The present debt
Of the District is $24, l21. s52. the value Of the real
estate in the District only 500, ASP, GS4. The popula-
ton is $50, 600, and the debt averages $16G to every man,
woman and child II amounts 10 "a per cent. of the en-
tire taxable rial estate. In january, 1915, property to
the amount of $l8,2l3,9 OIL, had been sold for taxes.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
r1FrY MILLIONS Fon PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

The cost of all public buildings. including custom
houses, court houses, post offices, &C., purchased and
built by the United States, between 17S9-l8G0, or II
years, was $2S,64O, 10. The cost between 1860 and
iS76, or 10 years, was S51, 164,978 The excess is $780,
524, S07 the average annual expense before Repub-
lican ascendency, sos, 3S2 average since, S3,410 99S.
The supervising architect, Mr.. Mullett, was an init
mate friend of President Grant and Boss Shepherd.
Shepherd was given the contract for all the roofing,
plumbing, and g~as-ftting in all public buildings. both
new and old, and his workmcn were sent from Wash
ington to all parts of the country. Their pay began at
the time they left Washingtn and continued until their
return i; their travelling expenses were paid by the Gov
srnment, and all material purportcd to be shipped from
Washington was charged to the Governm Mt at So
called wholesale prices. Shepherd was paid Is per
cent. on the total of all these expenses, and 10 per cent.
ing and ~gas-ftting of the Portland (Oregon] Custom
House was done in this way by Shepherd, and the
wages of the workmen for their whole absence was
paid in the way just stated.
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-10-19
the n FRAUDS,
THE o . A-pro1NTEEs.
THE GENERAL ORDER MONOPOLY.

William A. Wheeler, Republican candidate for Vice
President, recently repealed several already refuted
falscloods with respect TO the appointments made BY
1913 appointments on the roll of the doorkeepers. -
served in the Union Army. 10 in the Confederate Army,
2 in the Mexican War, Ii are colored, and IS are nome
combatants. page-boys, &C. The former Republican
House had 1853 appointecs, one of whom states that there
were only IS Union soldiers among them.