Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-03-13
sent to Washington, to submit a plan to

These twenty-three men had formed themselves into a syndicate, with the object of taking entire charge of the war between the United States and Great Britain.
 This proposition was an astounding one, but the government was obliged to treat it with respectful consideration. The men who offered it were power in the land, a power which no government could afford to disregard
 The plan of the syndicate was compre- hensive, direct and simple. It offered to assume the entire control and expense of the war, and to effect satisfactory peace within one year. As a guarantee that this contract would be properly per- formed, an immense sum of money would be deposited in the treasury at Washington. Should the syndicate be unsuccessful this sum would be for feited, and it would receive no pay for anything it had done.
 The sum to be paid by the government to the syndicate, should it bring the war to satisfactory conclusicAs would de- pend upon the duration of hostilities. That is to say, that as the shorter the duration of the war, the greater would be the benefit to the country, therefore, the larger must be tho pay to the syndi- cate. According to the proposed con tract, the syndicate would receive, if the war should continue for year, one quarter the sum stipulated to be paid if peace should be declared in three months.
 If at any time during the conduct of the war by the syndicate an American sea- yf c1,o 1,o %o1y 1>x- British force landed on any point of the seacoast, the contract should be con- sidered at an end, and security and pay ment forfeited. If any point on the northern boundary of the United States should be taken and occupied by the enemy, $1 100000 of the deposited se- curity should be forfeited for every such occupation, but the contract should con- tinue.
 It was stipulated that the land and naval forces of the United States should remain under the entire control of the government, but should be maintained as a defensive fierce and not brought into action unless any failure on the part of the syndicate should render such action necessary.
 AAAS oeeseS oA ASSAAAASo HI SSN circles, and the evidences of alarm and distrust which were becoming apparent ill congress and among the people, ex- erted an important influence in favor of the syndicate. The government caught at its proposition, not as if it were @ straw but as if it were life raft. The men who offered to relieve the executive departments of their perilous responsi- bilities werc men of great ability, promi- nent positions, and vast resources, whose vast enterprises had already made them known all over the globe. Such men were not likely to jeopardize their repu- tations and fortunes in case like this, unless they had well founded reasons for believing that they would be successful. Even the largest amount stipulated to be paid them in case of success would be less than the ordinary estimates for the military and naval operations which had been anticipated; and in case of failure, the amount forfeited would go far to repair the losses which might be sus- tained by the citizens of the various states.
 At all events, should the syndicate be allowed to take immediate control of the war, there would be time to put the army and navy, especially the latter, in better condition to carry on the contest in case of the failure of the syndicate. Organization and construction might still go on, and, should it be necessary, the army and navy could step into the contest fresh and we'll prepared.
 All branches of the government united ill accepting tho offer of the syndicate. The contract was signed, and the world waited to see what would happen next
 The influence which for years had been 'exerted by the interests controlled by the men composing tho syndicate had its effect in producing popular confidence in the power of the members of the syn dicate to conduct q war as successfully as they had conducted other gigantic enterprises. Therefore, although predic- tions of disaster camo from many quar- ters, the American public appeared will ing to wait with but moderate impatience for the result of this novel undertaking.
 The government now proceeded to mass troops at important points on the northern frontier; forts were supplied with men and armaments; all coast de- lenses were put in the best possible con- dition; the navy was stationed at impor- tant ports, and work at the ship yards went on. But, without reference to all this, the work of tho syndicate immedi- ately began.
 This body of men were of various pol itics and of various pursuits ill life. But politics were no more regarded in the work they had undertaken than they would have been in the purchase of land or of railroad iron. No manifestoes of motives and intentions were issued to the public. The syndicate simply went to work. There could be no doubt that early success would be direct profit to it, but there could also be no doubt that its success would be a vast benefit and profit, not only to the business enter prises in which these men were severally engaged, but to the business of the whole country. To save tho United States from a dragging war, and to save themselves from the effects of it, were the prompt ing motives for the formation of the syn dicate.
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