Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-11-10
GRdNT as Il RAILROAD PRESIDENT

HNdNT As Il RAILROAD PRESIDENT.
Some ten days ago rumor prevailed and
obtained currency through the press to the
effect that Gen. Grant had received the ten
der of the joint presidency of the Pennsyl-
of fifty thousand dollars year. The ru-
NOR was set at rest for few days by denia
from Col. Thomas B. Scott, president of the
first named company, who asserted most
positively that such a proposition had not
been made, and that the management of the
company he represented would continue as
at present. It now transpires that the ru-
NOR was in part true, for it is now stated on
the authority of Ex.Gov. Brown, vice presi-
dent Of the Texas Pacific, that the directors
Of that company have offered to Gen. Grant
the presidency at the salary named, and are
now awaiting his decision.
There is considerable significance in this
event. OF course an acceptance of the
offer would remove Gen. Grant permanently
from the domain of politics, and prevent
his becoming the candidate of the Republi-
can party for the Presidency next year.
This result would be highly gratifying to
Blaine and Sherman and their friends. and
also to q large part of the Republican party
who honestly dread the consequences of g1y-
ing him third term or life lease Of the
office. 1t would also be satisfactory to many
Democrats who, while they honor him for
his military services would be compelled from
sense of duty to oppose his election, well
knowing that his success would bring about
return of the ring rule that caused 80 much
scandal from 1868 to 1876. But it will not
be as gratifying to the element that is now
trying to force his nomination on the party
This element is composed of the very worst
men in the Countrywide men who for years
have been the leaders in every scheme
of public plunder-Indian rings,
contractors rings, whisky rings-in fact
all the rings that have preyed upon the
treasury for more than decade. These
men are for time without congenial occu-
patton. They feel that if Grant was once
moro in the White House, they would have
an opportunity of again thrusting their
arms into the public treasury and helping
themselves to whatever they might desire.
They are putting forth every effort in their
power to secure his nomination in the ex-
pectation that he-would be elected on the
wave Of popular enthusiasm that his return
from his foreign rambles has produced.
They will probably do all in their power to
prevent hims.fro accepting the proposition
of the Texas Pacific directors, and it is to be
feared will succeed.
But the query will naturally arise: What
has induced this company to make such an
offer? An answer is containe ed
in Washington dispatch. 1t
has already been given out by the officers of
the road that they had abandoned all hope
of securing subsidy from Congress, and
would complete their road without govern
ment aid. But they seem to have repented
of their determination. They have become
impressed with the idea that Grants name
wo:ld give great prestige to their enterprise,
and assist them in negotiating their bonds
abroad where there is more talismanio power
in q name than on this side of the Atlantic.
Thus far their scheme is legitimate one to
which no one can object. But they further
fancy that, with Grant at the head of the
corporation its chances of securing q govern
ment subsidy would be largely increased
that his political friends would gladly allow
him to appropriate twenty or twenty-five
millions from the public treasury. There is
unquestionably good deal in the idea.
Few of the Republican Senators or Repre-
sentatives, who are beholden to
Grant for many favors, would
have the courage to resist q
scheme having his endorsement, and it is to
be feared that enough Democrats could be
influenced in the same direction to make the
plan success. Grants past record does
not bar him from applying for such sub
sidy with perfect consistency, and if he
should decide to make the attempt, his
chances of success would be exceedingly f.
vorable.
We shall look with considerable solicitude
for the decision of General Grant in the
matter. It is to be regretted that he has be-