The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-02-11
Ihe SsntineI.
TEE am CROWD.

fhh SkO ChOWO.
There is a certain degree of pleasure in
looking over the mementoes and remem-
brances OF the past. Often too unpleasant
and disaereeable memories ard suggestions
are uppermost. We noticed recently in
newspaper correspondence a brief review OF
some of the old set which surrounded Grant
and his Observation-Disclosures of the more
prominent who were tossed to the surface as
the whirl of events rapidly ard disgraceiully
revoIved during a very notorious and cor
rupt era of American politics. AS history,
they say, repeats itself-snd it looks as II
Grant may be forced upon the country for an
indefinite period oftime-the same old crowd
or their counterparts will doubtless ba tossed
to the surface again. The Radical party is
full OF these same types, and they usually
get on top and in the lead wssn men of the
taste and inclinstions OF Grant are in the
White House.
The first one that attracts our attention is
large man with puffy face and very long
whiskers. His eyes are red and swollen,
and he holds his head in q hanging position.
He loafs good deal around the Arlington
the leading hotel of Washington CIty-hls
name is Bslknap-W. W. Belknap, at one
time Secretary OF war under Grant. His
history Is familiar to our readers. They say
the extrayagant habits and entertainments
OF mis- wife brought him into trouble.
Who have we here? BsbcOck. Ga, yes!
Grants old private secretary. unpleassntly
mixed up with the whisky rings and other
inodorous combinations OF Grants time
They say he does not come around WASH
ington very much, but he was there the
other day when Grant arrived to extend the
right hand of fellowship to his old chief.
Babcock is lighthouse inspector, with head
quarters at Baltimore. A little incident
floats around Washington that when BIB
cock was found mot guilty" at st. Louis,
Grant said to him: You have lost my con-
6denes, and desire you never again to enter
my family" Yet Babcock was the first to
welcome Grant during his last visit One
point in Ba5cock's favor is that the investi-
cation of bis affairs made by the engineer
corps of the army, resulted in finding him
guiltless of the charges made against HIM at
ST.. Louis This much is true, however,
that Babcock. while violating no law, did
speculate in land on Shepherds advice.
Then, st convenient places, he built blocks
Of dwellings on contracts. the mason. taking
one, the carpenter another. the plumber
another, and so on, leaving one for Babcock
clear OF all incumbrance. This was using
official information for private gain; bat
there is no law to punish such an offense.
Boss Shepherd is another of the old crowd.
His history is familiar He is played oat to
great extent, aud there will not probably
be any more Boss Shepherds for q while in
the district. h is wealthy, though, having
recovered himself 10 mining speculations.
Robson comes next in review. He was
Grant old secretary OF the navy, and csme
very nearly getting away with the entire
concern. There may have been an old row.
boat or two left-there doubtless was, and
perhaps more. We do not want to be unfair
TO one who is now one OF the most dis
tinguished leaders on the Radical
side of the present Lever House
of Congress. He is a bird OF gor-
geous plumage, Thoughts Robson. He
steps high aud lives hlgh, has "a generous
abdomen and purplIsh complexion" He
has a distinguished air, and is said to be the
best ''diner-ont" in Washington.
These are samples of the old set, and we
close our review for to-day. They may not
reach place and power again; that pendends
upon the amount Of cheek and brass they
may have left; but one thing is sure, that, if
Grant gets back to the presidency, there
will cluster around hun men of similar
characteristics and general features. Grant
can no more avoid them than be can change
the color of his eyes, They grayitate TO him
naturally, and there Is In his composition a
certain peculiar magnetism which attracts
second and third rate characters. His entire
career shows il.