The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-06-12
DICK THOMPSON
without the Authority of Law Mfsap
plies Government Funds 10 Pay
Grants Expenses.
New York SUM-

New York Sun.
While r. w. Thompson, the fraudulent
secretary of the navy, was testifying before
the committee on expenditures in the navy
department, the following questions were
asked and answered:
Q.-Please state whether the government
has been subjected to any expense by reason
of courtesies accorded TO General Grant in the
visit he is now making abroad? A.-Flnding
that General Grant was going to Europe,
deemed 1t proper, considering that we had
considering also the custom of European
governments TO pay great attention TO digni-
taries who had held high offices-I deemed it
proper and prudent, In every sense, to tender
him the privilege, which is sometimes granted
TO our citizens, of riding on the war vessels as
they would pass from port 10 port on their
cruises. And / issued instructions to the
admiral or the Mediterranean fleet, stating
that, where it did not interfere with his duty
as cruiser, he might permit General Grant TO
Q.-The courtesy was simply that of a free
passage? "A free passage. And for what
count in the way of subsistence flor what he
would eat on board ship for two or three
weeks, instructed them to render me an
account and would pay IT out of the con-
tingent fund of the navy.
The memory of this ancient mariner is as
defective in regard to events with which be
ought to be familiar, as it has proved TO be
in regard TO his connection with the lobby
and the fee of 5000 which he claimed and
denied with equal emphasizes Mr.. Pierce
and Mr.. Fillmore both visited Europe as
ex-presldents, but they did so becomingly
as private American citizens, without seek
ing ostentatious parade, or thrus ing them
! selves upon the notice of foreign govern
ments and rulers
1t is OF common notOuety that the Emitted
States ship Vandalia was placed at the COM
plete disposal of General Grant and the suite
with which he has travelled abroad. The
pretence that he only was allowed free pas-
sage between points that did not interrupt
the cruise, Is simply false. The movements
OF the ship were directed by him for months
up and down the Mediterranean or wher-
ever else he pleased to go, with party of
seven or eight, including servants and a
courier, and notorious sneak news thief to
report the trlumphal progress, and to pre-
pare for the third term movement.
By what authority of law Mr. Thompson
can pay the expenses of General Grants
voyage on the Vandalia 'out of the conting-
ent fund of the navy is a subject for in
quiry. If he can illegally divert a few
/ thousands for this or for any other object
he may divert hundreds of thousands or
few millions. The principle is the same in
/ one case as in the other and the magnitude
/ OF the sum involved does not affect ii in any
way. Secor Robson began on small figures,
/ but the practice of "divertiDg'' the public
money soon became familiar, and he ex-
banded into millions before he had been two
| years in Office. The naval committee should
| demand to know what was the exact cost of
Grants excursions on this ship of war, and
| how the fraudulent secretary obtained auth
ority to foot his bills from the public
| treasury.