The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-06-20

ed when the. Presidential Commission
was sent South, "Who pays its expen-
ses2n is answered by a couple OF letters
that have just been given to the public,
as follows:
Private and ConAdentlall
Treasury Department, |
Washington, March %, 1871
George F. Baker, Cashier First National
Bank, New York
NY DEAR SIR-The president" has
decided to send Il Commission, composed
of men of prominence and responsibility
to some of the Southern States for the
purpose of healing, if possible, the pres
ent political difficulties which exist in
them. 1t is also hoped this course will
secure to the administration and the
government the moral support and aid
of persons residing in Southern localities.
The only practical difficulty in the way
of carrying out this grand project arises
from the want of an appropriation. Your
bank can remove that difficulty, and it
is for the purpose of securing your aid
in this matter that l address this letter
to you, believing that you will cheerfully
co, operate in work which has for its
aim and object the peaceful solution of
grave and perplexing difficulties. The
amount which will be required will
probably fall between So 900 and $4,000.
What | have to suggest is this: That
your bank advance this money to some
person, who will be appointed the dis
bursting agent, and receive from him the
vouchers which he will take when he
makes his disbursements. When Con-
gress convenes again deficiency appro-
priation will be asked for by the Execu
tive for the purpose indicated above, and
what you shall advance will be prompt.
ly returned to you. | do not think there
can be any hazard or risk in the matter
or | would not suggest it. l have tho't,
also, that you would be pleased to have
the opportunity to render the aid which
is needed for good purpose at this time.
shall be glad to receive an early reply
to this letter. With much respect, am
yours CHAs, f. CoNANT,
An early reply to this letter was read,
as follows:
First National Bank, New York, |
March a. 1877, !
MY DEAR Mr.. CoNANr-I am in re.
ceipt of your letter yesterday in regard
to making an advance of money for the
expenses of the Commission to be ap.
pointed by the president" to visit
Southern States, and beg TO say that the
bank will take pleasure in extending the
accommodation in the manner request
ed. Yours, truly, GEO. +. BAKER,
The Enquirer'S correspondent, who for.
wards these documents, says:
The unearthing of these letters opens
up new lead for an investigation which
is likely to play an important part in the
impeachment of John Sherman an
event almost certain to como in the near
future; for this manner of paying the
bills of the Commission is held by some
of the best lawyers of the House to be a
hagrant violation of law, which prohib
its any officer of the government from
anticipating any appropriation. Sher
mans name does not appear in these
letters, but it is not conceivable thaS the
plan was conceived or carried out with
out his sanction.
Conant is the special financial agent Of
the government at London in the inter.
est of the Syndicate. He is Sherman's
confidential man in all business between
the Treasury and the Syndicate, and at
the same time the letters were written,
was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury,
1t is further significant that Fahnstock,
President of the First National Bank, is
one of the five members of the Syndi.
cate; that his bank is a special deposito.
ry for United States four and one half
per cent. bonds, and that it has for q
long time been Secretary Sherman's most
specially favored financial institution
Sherman's responsibility, however, will
be fully proved by letters over his sigma
ture, to Baker and to the Commission,
vouching for Powers, who was the dis.
bursting agent appointed, and who was
promoted shortly after his return from
this expedition.
The Commissioners bill of expense
has also been unearthed. 1t is an inter.
esting document, and will be fine nnts
for Ben Butler, especially an item of if
ty.nine dollars and some cents for trav.
cling expenses Of Wayne McVeigh from
Harrisburg to Washington and return.
AS this amount is four or fiVe times
above the regular fare, Butler will be
likely to ask Wayne to explain. The
bill further shows that Justice Harlan
took his son along at the expense of
the appropriation which the president"
was to ask Congress to make, and that
it cost about 81 900 to indulge in that
Commission, The hotel bill averages
$l2 per head per day. The deficiency
appropriation, as preordained, was rec
commended, and came very near being
tackled on by Chairman Atkins to the
deficiency bill. By advice, however, he
declined to appropriate, and the scheme
now is to have the Senate tack it on to
the sundry civil bill.