The herald., 1896-09-06
GRANT AND OFFICE SEEKERS

There were few Of the older residents
OF Galena who knew General Grant bet
ter than General John c. Smith, the ex-
lieutenant governor. now of Chicago.
He knew him before the war; frequently
met him in the army and was often with
him after the trouble was over while
the general lived in the Illinois town.
1t was my good fortune to dine with
party of gentlemen in which General
Smith was an interesting figure q few
days ago. Knowing the relations that
had existed between the old commander
and General Smith am afraid I schem-
ed to turn the talk out of the customary
Masonic channel, for 1t was a party Of
thirty third degree Masons who had
assembled in Chicago for the purpose Of
attending the funeral Of the late DR..
Hurlbut.
For nearly an hour General Smith en-
tertained the company delightfully."- with
talks about Grant. The first story had
bearing on the charge SO often made
that General Grant was given to 4
rather too free use of intoxicants at
certain periods Of his life. General
Smith was on his way up the Mississippi
as the guest of Captain Webb of tho
steamer. After they had passed La
Crosse he heard gentleman talking
loudly about his personal acquaintance
with General Grant. He had known
him before the war and since then; had
had various interesting bouts with him.
They had drunk hour after hour to-
gether General Smith became indig-
nant, and asked the man where he had
had such experience with General
Grant.
"Oh. used to drink a great deal with
him at his home in Galena. I met him
during the war and drank with him
then. and have had various nice times
with him over our bowls since them
What year did you drink with Gen.
eral Grant in Galena?"
'Oh, along from "a to 49,"
"Ah; just as supposed" said General
Grants champion. Captain Grant
didn't come to Galena until 1860, and I
tell you that you didn't drink with him
there or in the army; nor have you had
bouts with him since the war;" The
fellow hung his head and could say
nothing.
Those stories about Grants drink
Ing" continued General Smith, were
cruel in the extreme. When the charges
were made during the war that the gen.
eral was drinking to excess New York
and other papers sent reporters to Ga
lena to investigate and the people there.
as soon as they discovered a reporter,
first turned him over to a saloon1keeper
whose place was near the store of Grant
& Perkins. They would ask him If he
knew Grant. Yes Was he ever in
your saloon?' oh, yes, great many
times Used to drink pretty hard,
didn't he, before the war; No, sir he
didn't drink a drop. There was not a sa-
Icon keeper in Galena who ever saw him
take a drink. Customers who bought
goods of Grant & Perkins would invite
! the captain into the saloon. He always
| took cigar; he never drank. Ask any
one in town and he will tell you Capt.
| Grant was not q drinker.'
| After Grants second election and
the question OF civil service reform was
being brought to the front a number OF
Galenaites thought they would use that
sentiment to keep their postmaster in
service. There was another candidate.
Mr. Houghton, a fine man, q printer
editor, who could go to the case and set
up an editorial without having first writ
ten 1t. Nearly everybody thought well
Of him. He needed the office; but the
other man had a pull with Congressman
Burchard. had business in New York
| That attended to I ran over to Washing
ton, getting there in the morning after
the congressional delegation had decid-
ed to unite in requesting she reappoint-
| ment Of Congressman Burchard' 8 friend
Tho latter said, Smith. am glad you
are in Washington. You are well ac.
ouainted with General Grant We are