The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-08-14
A MAIL CONTRACTORS sw1PE.
The Departments at Washington--How
They Do Things There.

a. AAAOO4 VI years dSO d ulbu uAuQ0u
Chorpenning Gnitials not recollected)
had claim before Congress for Indian
depredations, he having been a mail
contractor for the overland service to
California. He had previously sought
and procured relief from Congress for
this or similar claim, the award be
ing for the snug sum of 100000 But
he had probably spent the money and
wanted another slice. At all events
he made another application, as afore-
said.
Mr.. Cessna, who 1 believe was
member from Pennsylvania, repre-
sented on the floor of the House that
there was a little balance of SIS, 900 or
$4,000 due Chorpenning, and the
House and Senate soon passed a favor
able bill. No sum was specified in the
bill, the amount to be awarded being
left optional with Postmaster. General
Creswell. About this time George
Earle, the First Assistant Postmaster
General, who was also a former law
partner of Mr.. CresweIl, resigned his
situation for the express purpose, as l
was credibly informed, to lobby the
above claim through (my informant
had the inside track and knew all
about the case The compensation of
Mr.. Earle as First Assistant was s., 500
per annum, but this is no money in
comparison with the profits to be de-
rived from lobbying, as 1 will soon
show.
Earle was to receive one third of the
amount awarded, and one J. M
McGrew, who believe was chief clerk
of the Sixth Auditors Cfflce, was to re
ceive $50, 900 for self and friends.
After the above basis for division
of the spoils was agreed upon Chorpen-
ming was urged to have the amount
divided up, thus giving each of the
interested parties control of a warrant
(same as check for the amount to
which he was entitled (title of course
clear.) To this Chorpenning demurred,
saying he-would have all in lump.
Well, failing in the arrangement to
give each person control of his own(O
a warrant for the full amount was
drawn to the order of Chorpenning,
which was properly signed by Post
master General Creswell. How much
now do you think it itrequired to satisfy
the little balance" above stated7-
over four hundred and forty-seven
thousand (447,OOO) dollars. q do not
recollect the odd dollars and cents, but
it was of course run out to very fine
point)
The warrant was next sent to the
Treasury Department where it was
necessary to receive several other sig
natures before completion. During
this delay the thieves became uneasy,
lest Chorpenning after receiving pay
ment would skip, thus defrauding
them of their hard earnings. Conse-
quently said McGrew, as am credibly
informed (Mr. Thos. B. Keogh, of
Greensboro, N. c., who was Chorpen-
ning's attorney is my informant) in
structed Mr.. Dawes, then a member of
Congress from Massachusetts,, as to the
facts in the case. Mr.. D. offered a reso-
luton and the warrant was squelched,
thus blasting the hopes of all.
To prove that a little crookedness
about Washington does not injure a
persons chances for preferment l will
state that McGreW was afterwards
promoted to Sixth Auditor (Auditor of
the Treasury for the PostOfice Depart
ment), one of the most important stu
ations under the government, which
he held for several years.
At length he appeared to become
mixed up with the irregularities of
Star Route Brady. at all events, the
report of the Postmaster General for
1881 gave him a black eye, and he was
bounced (according 20 said report he
was instrumental in defrauding the
government out of over 228, 900, which
was compromised upon the recommen-
dation of McGrew for the paltry sum
of $5OO)
After his discharge he became a
claim agent, and by reason of his
knowledge of the Department, being
also associated by confederates, who
were retained and have since remained
continuously in the Department, Nc
Grew & CO. "a son in law is associated
with him) have held almost complete
control of the patronage pertaining to
the Sixth Auditors Office, which is
immense.
More than this, many claims are
made to bear the burdens Of patronage