The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-28
THE GRANT-JOHNSON MATTER.
Judge Swing CorrobOrates Mr. Depew-The
Latter Claims to Have Necessary Proofs.

CINCINNATI, Oct 27.-James Boyle, OF the
Commercial Gazette, has unearthed some very
interesting facts. showing that the Hon. Chaun-
cey NJ Depew's information in the Grant
johnson matter is not only correct, but is old
news to a number of people Gen. Grant probably
had no more intimate friend than Philip B..
Swing of Batavia, o., the Generals old home.
and to him the same story was told in Sept,
1871, at his home in that city. General Grant
related the circumstances in detail at that time,
and possibly more elaborately than to Mr..
Depew. Before his death Judge Swing placed
the story in the hands of his family, both
branches of which yet recollect it. In March,
1885, Judge James B. Swing of Batavia, pub
lished the GrantJohnson story in the Clermont
County Courier, as told him by hi sfather-in-law,
Judge Philip Judge Peter +. Swing, of Ba-
tavia, Circuit judge, also recollects the circum-
stances. All of the Depew story is not only
given in full, but is entirely corroborated by the
published statement referred to.
Chauncey M Depew said: when the contra
dctions are all in [ shall come out with my
proofs. | knew what was writing about, and
AZ the proper time will reply in manner which
l believe will set the whole controversy at rest
For the present do not desire to say anything" "
Congressman. elect Negey, of Pittsburg, said:
~ was with Mr.. johnson frequently, and
L
about the questions then at issue. /
am prepared to confirm the statement that John
son was man of desperate expedients and the
victim of an uncomfortable ambition. l had
several interviews with Mr.. Johnson during the
period referred to by Mr.. Depew. l learned
from official sources of the schemes that were
being woven in Mr. Johnsons brain. The rea-
son so little was said in public about it at that
time was because of his utter impotency to carry
any of them into effect. The purposes of Mr..
Johnson were not the offspring Of any treason
able designs but rather the bitterness of his re-
sentiment"
Judge J. p. Usher. of Lawrence, who was
Secretary of the Interior under President
Lincoln, and also one month in
President Johnson's Cabinet, said, yes
terday, in reference to the controversy: II
was only with President johnson one month,
but do not place much reliance in the Depew
story. The fact that Seward was with him to
the last satisfied me that nothing was wrong
Seward was the grandest man of all, if we except
Lincoln and it is certain that he knew nothing
of it. When was about to leave, having given my
resignation President johnson told me he wanted
me to remain and then added: Do you think am
doing as Mr. Lincoln would have donef ] said
Yes, and he replied. 4 want to do that; for of
all the regulations l want to avoid, it is that of
John Tyler / have doubt that Mr.. Johnson
thought of maintaining his prerogatives. His
idea always was that the States were never out
of the Union, and Lincoln always thought
and held. He believed that the articles of
secession were void, because the States could not
secede. regard as absurd the declaration that
Mr.. johnson had any idea of forming an aris
tocracvu