The Yale expositor., 1911-02-23


daily met with. Each
had an axe to grind. 1t was a busy
day for adventures and sharpers.
Every device that human ingenuity
could invent was in vogue for money
making purposes. Men of respectable
fly when at home often turned crooks
after sojourning at the nations capt.
tol for time. The war had left its
demoralizing influence upon many
and the opportunities for acquiring
wealth were numerous and varied.
For a long time before General Grant
took his seat In the presidents chair,
there had been a looseness in the adj
ministration of government affairs
resulting in organized frauds that
would not be tolerated in this day.
The Credit Mobiler conspiracy, the
whisky ring and many other monu'
NEIL steals were being carried on
in high-up official and private circles.
The big fellows set the pace and the
smaller crooks lettering about the city
felt quite safe in taking a hand in
what was going on. Some of the de-
vices resorted to by the lesser fellows
were quite ridiculous. 1 will disinter
one of these schemes for the purpose
IF exhibiting the folly of some of the
Ilotters of that day.
Shortly after President Grants in
Suguration in the spring of 1873 he
sent a messenger with a note re-
questing me to call at once at the
White House. On entering his office
i found him at his desk. He pointed
to a nearby chair and babe me be
seated. Reaching into drawer of his
desk he took out two long black
cigars, and handing me one of them
he bit off the end of the other and
put it between his teeth. Straighten
ing back in his chair, the big black
cigar was pointed upward at an anglo
of about forty-five degrees. AS the
smoke curled lazily above his head /
saw that there was something in his
manner indicating that his usually
placid temper was riled. Picking up
package of letters from his desk he
turned towards me and said: Here,
Colonel, is a matter that needs your
careful attention. During the last
few days | have been receiving these
letters. / want you to make an in
'vestigatiOn at once. The persons en-
gagged in this work must be punished
1t is an outrage. 1t is probable that
there is more than one person in the
scheme"
President Grant spoke with great
earnestness, and l saw that he was
not little disturbed and that his idea
was To let no guilty man escape. The
circulars he handed me were printed
in letter form and had been sent
through the mails to many postmasters
throughout the south and west. The
circulars read as follows. | give them
verbatim.
Executive Mansion, Washington,
Oct 18th, 1872.
Memorandum Of conversation between
the president and his secretary
Secretary wish to refer this tele
gram of Senator Mortons TO the
president.
TO the President:
A conspiracy has been formed tc
Ohio and to keep the colored vote
from the polls in the southern states
Several thousand nonresidents will
vote in Indiana. Men and money are
needed. l send man to you who has
been in their council.
o. P. Morton.
President-Yes, have thought that
matter all over, and had a long talk
with the man the senator sent. What
does Mr.. Cook say about money? You
know that we have none, and that the
committees means are all necessary
for the regular business.
Secretary-Mr. Cook will furnish
you any amount you require.
President-Very well, 1 will take
the responsibility Have Captain
c. select a dozen men to go wesl
and aouth with funds and organize
The mere fact OF good organization
will deter lawless bodies from at
tempting to defraud the people at the
polls
Additional conversation, March cath
1873.
Secretary-Mr. President, have yor
determined how you will reimburse
Mr.. Cook for the money furnished last
October?
President-Yes. have. The bishor
has suggested Rev. j. Hale Barney tc
act as secretary in the matter. An
point him Immediately, and as oul
mails are so large and go to clerks Il
be arranged and briefed before W,
see them, you will have all letters or
the subject addressed TO him. Cal
upon our friends. and allow no one tc
contribute over ten dollars, and. Il
prevent publicity and trouble. direct
the remittance TO be made by a singl,
ten dollar note. Registered letters
drafts. or express would necessaril,
tend to publicity. Mr.. Secretary. vol
VIII make an alphabetical list o.
every contributor, to which we car
hereafter refer.