Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-19
STEALING MESSAGES.
Interesting Gossip in Regard 10 Such
Thefts-.-The Women Thieves Of Linz
c0ln'S DaY.
Philadelphia Telegraph.

iHcIiS-l uC VUHltH IHtCtCo VI LIN
coins Day.
Philadelphia Telegraph.
The advance publication of the presi-
dents message is n subject of no small
interest here. In several instances por-
tons Of President Lincoln's messages
were published, and the matter was at
tempted to be investigated by the Judi
ciary committee of the house, When
it was found that the inquiry would be
likely to lead 10 good deal of scandal
connected with the ladies of the White
House, it came to q very abrupt termi-
nation ny the president going to tine
capitol himself and directing that the
investigation should be suspended.
The next instance was in the time Of
" Andy" Johnson, when, through the
oblivious condition of his son Dick, a
copy of the message was banded to Il
correspondent to read over and see what
he thought of it. The correspondent
took advantage of the opportunity and
bad q stenographic copy made, returned
the manuscript and pronounced it All
excellent message. The next morning
the president was considerably aston
ished when he found the document III
print.
President Grants military methods
were too much for the ingenuity of
Washington correspondents, and in no
instance did the text of his messages
appear before their submission to con-
gress, except what he gave to one or two
of his confidential friends or cores
pondent. 1t was the custom OF the
General, when he had completed his
message, to take his private secretaries,
Pruden, Snifiin and Luckey-into ons of
the most remote apartments of the Elk
ecutive Mansion, and there set them to
work to make six manifold copies for
the use of the press, which, when fin
ished, were taken by the president,
placed in an envelope and held until
the committee of congress reported the
two houses organized. He then sub
mitted the manuscript copies for the
use OF the two houses, and upon the re-
turn of Private Secretaries Generals
Porter or Babcock, he authorized the
disposing of the six manifold copies.
While Mr.. Boutwell, was secretary of
the treasury, on one occasion his an
nual report was made public in advance
of its transmission to congress. Upon
investigation it was shown conclusively
that the copy was given out by his pri-
vate secretary. He was Immediately
dismissed and placed upon the black
list, and subsequently died in this city
in absolute poverty, AS the punishment
of his breach OF faith TO his superior
The present administration seems to
have been very unfortunate with respect
to the premature publication oftae pres
ident's messages, each message having
been made public in advance Of its
transmission to congress.
Although as rule all the important
features of the messages are anticipated,
the eagerness to secure the text always
makes the document good marketable
commodity. As high rs 81 500 was Of
fered for President Grants messages.
The present Message, however, was sold
for $500, while Secretary Sherman's re-
port brought $3.50, the proceeds being
divided between three parties, the pur-
loiner and two middlemen who effected
tho sale