The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-03
Grant Brothers * Co., Post-Tradership
Brokers and Dlackmailers.

Grant Brothers * Co., Post-Tradership
Brokers and Dlackmailers.
The report Of Mr.. CLYMER's committee
throws strong light on the motives which
led GRANT TO accept off-hand the resigna-
ton of BELKNAP. and thus shield the
whining wretch from the consequences OF
his crime. II was not personal friendship
that prompted the Intervention, nor was
n "a desire to spare the Republican party
the odium that would attach to the i'm
parchment of Cabinet officer. The real
explanation is found in certain striking tes-
timony which connects the President him
pelf with the shameless traffic in Indian
and army post traderships.
II is well to bear in mind that the Fort
Sill transaction, to the accidental discov-
cry OF which BELKNAP owes his disgrace,
was only a detached instance OF an exton-
sive system of frauds based on the act Of
July, 1896, which removed the power of
appointing post suffers from the officers
commanding the posts, and placed the
whole vast and lucrative patronage in the
hands of the Secretary of War.
Others besides BELKNAP were quick TO
90 avail themselves of every opportunity
90 work IL. A Republican patriot named
HEDRIcK, and another Republican patriot
named RICE, Generals both, and both init
mate associates of BELKNAP's found so
great profit in the bI okerage OF sutlerships
that Mr.. CLYNER's committee has been
able TO trace s20,750 paid to HEDRIcK, and
not less than s51, 80 paid TO RICE, for influ-
snce in securing appointments. In one
case the applicant paid RICE 900 merely
for the barren honor of an introduction 10
the Secretary of War. II is more than
probable that this precious pair of Gen.
srals had a well-understood arrangement
with BELKSAP by which the latter shared
in the plumber.
The country would have less cause for
phamo II IL could be said that these in
famous transactions were limited to the
War Department. But there were hungry
fellows in and about the White House who
were not content 10 SEQ TO fat thing
monopolized by a Cabinet officer and his
sronles. The Presidents brother ORvIL,
an irrepressible scamp, whose elasticity of
pocket Is only less phenomenal than the
elasticity OF his console nee, suddenly APP
pears with a monopoly of the right TO car
~ on trading posts along the Missouri
river on the Great Sioux reservation. This
was effected by a proclamation OF the
Presidents extending the reservation 10
the east side, ostensibly TO prevent the sale
Of liquor to the Indians, but really TO pro-
vide for his brother ORvIL- When the es-
tablished and respectable merchants who
were financially ruined by their exclusion
from rights which they could claim under
the act of 1866 complained to the Presi-
dent, their representations were received
with characteristic stolidity, and answered
by pretty plain intimation that he had
seen At to AK things for ORvu, and
what were they going to do about it, Un-
Ger the circumstances, the only thing the
npfortunatss could do was TO "flx things"
with ORvu. themselves. 1t is difficult to
use plain language in regard to the affair
without speaking Of 1t as conspiracy be
tween the GRANT brothers to levy black.
mail on honest traders.
Again, according TO ORvL GRANTS ties
timony before the committee, ULYSSES
was so kind in the summer Of 1874 as &c
Inform him by letter that there would
soon be vacancies in several Of the most
profitable posts. This brotberly hint bore
golden fruit. With the Presidents letter
as his sole capital, ORvIL became partner
In Arms trading at Fort Peck and az Stand.
ing Rock; and where he was unable TO
enter directly into the business, he re-
ceived hard cash from others for surren,
dering his somewhat misty title to the
posts.
In each Of these cases, as also In that
where Brother-in-law DENT represented
the White House in the ruin Of Mr.. BAR
ROW, the post trader at Fort Union, New
Mexico, the evidence leads SO directly tc
ULYSSES s. GRANT as a partner in the un
clean business, that We do not see how
anybody can read the report Of the
CLYMER committee and fail to understand
why GRANT hurried TO BELKsAP's aid.
The supporters OF HAYES and WHEELED
want more Of this sort OF Thing. In thei
platform they say:
"Ssreneenih-The national Administration merit
commentator for IT. honorable work In the manage
GRANT deserves the continued and hearty grat ude q
the American people for hls patTlousm ana ms In
mense services III war and IN peace" lCheersl
This platform the Republican candidate
for President approves and adopts, in il
entirety.