The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-03-25
WHO GOT THE MONEY ?
Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars for Grants
Signature.
From The ;filpaukcc { Ir&.) Nems.

From The JIlWduEcc I US.J Ne"S'
Mr.. Charles n. Cox, son of Gen. j. D.
Cox, Grants first Secretary of the Intc-
rior, gave the following information to a
reporter of the Me'cs
II know of case which / think brings
official corruption more nearly home to
Grant personally than even the check in
the famous Black Friday investigation:
1t is not of my own positive personal
knowledge, it is true; but it came to me
in such q way that ] could not be more
firmly convinced of its truth had seen
IL myself. MY knowledge of the trans
action dates long subsequent to the oc-
currence; but that cannot affect the fact
that it did occur precisely as l learned it.
AS you will probably remember, after my
father left Gen. Grants Cabinet he be-
came identified with the Toledo, Wabash
and Western Railroad, at one time as
president, at another as receiver. Some
time in 1877, Mr.. John Ellis, who either
WAS at that time, or had been at one time,
q principal owner of the Toledo, Wabash
and Western, dined with my father, and
Mt the dinner table told us the following
incident connected with his railroad ven.
lures. In 1871 he was largely interested
in Western railroad enterprise, the
financial success or failure of which was
largely dependent upon the fate of bill
then before Congress.
In reply to an inquiry, Mr.. Cox stated
that Mr.. Ellis did not mention the par
ticular railroad, nor did he specify the
bill, and continued:
"Mr. Ellis then went on to tell us that
while he was off in the West he received
despatch from friend in the White
House stating that the bill in which he
(Ellis) was interested had passed Con-
gress and been sent to the President for
his approval, but that Grant had decided
to withhold his approval and to return it
to Congress with veto. Mr.. Ellis i'm
mediately telegraphed his informant to
persuade the President to defer final
action in the matter till he (Ellis) could
reach Washington. Taking the first train,
he travelled day and night till he reached
New York. He Immediately called upon
friend who he knew had managed a
good many matters in Washington, and
was familiar with the methods of doing
business in that city and securing favora.
BILE legislation short, a trained and
successful lobbyist, to procure advice.
Having explained the object of his visit
and the exact status of the bill, he
was at once directed to so and see Gene
raj Butter6eld, then assistant treasurer OF
the United States, and lay the case before
him, and be governed wholly by his ad.
vice or instructions. General Butterfield
was hunted up, and the business explain
ed fully, to the effect that if the presi-
dent persisted in his determination to
veto the bill in question, the western
railroad enterprise would in all prcbabili-
ty prove q losing venture whereas, should
he, on the contrary, approve it, the
parties in interest would almost enevita-
bly reap a handsome profit; that the
president had been induced to hold the
matter under advisement until he
(Ellis) could reach Washington, and the
object of the visit to General Butterfeld
was to obtain his advice rs to the best
means of inducing the president to favor
The measure and sign the bill: General
Butterfield instructed Mr.. Ellis to call
upon the gentleman by whose advice he
had called upon him. Being informed
that he came direct from his Office to
him, the general replied: Never mind
that; call on him again in aboutan hour,
or such natter At the time indicated
Mr.. Ellis called again on the lobbyist,
and told him he had been directed to call
by General Butterield. This did not
satisfy the lobbyist, who required that he
should bring note from the assistant
treasurer. After repairing again to But
terGeld, Mr.. Ellis visited the lobbyist the
third time. The note was read, Mr.. Ellis
was informed hat it would cost $35, 900 to
insure the success of his bill.
Mr.. Ellis went Immediately TO bank,
drew the money and returned to his
friend, the Lobbyist, who left the room as
he entered, and showed him the bum
die containing the currency. As he left
the room at one door Mr.. Ellis placed
the package of money on the table and
retired by another, hearing his friend re-
turn as he did so, and in three hours MIR.
Ellis had telegram from his friend in
the White House, saying the bill was
signed"
In reply to some further questions, Mr..
Cox said he would not like to have thes
ry published, but bis father was in Cincin-
natl and Mr.. Ellis in New York, and nei-
ther of them could or would deny that
Mr.. Ellis had related this occurrence at
General Cox's table in the spring or
summer of 1877.