Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 2.djvu/154

134 unfortunate potentate, the collector? We heard the Senator from New York [Mr. ] say the other day that he had carefully abstained from making any recommendations for office in the customhouse. I certainly believe his assertion; and all honor to him for it. But I am sure that here we behold not the rule, but an exception. To show you what Congressional influences are sometimes active, I will again refer to the report of the Retrenchment Committee, from which I desire the Secretary to read what I have marked.

The Chief Clerk read as follows:

Question. Can you state how or through what influence Deputy Collector Grigsby obtained his appointment?

Answer. In the first place Senator, of Vermont, and Mr., of New York, made strong efforts to get me the appointment of Collector of Customs at Brownsville or Corpus Christi, Texas. They did not succeed. I was too black a Republican. Judge Olin also went to the Secretary and told him how long he had known me and what my character was. One day I met Mr. Creecy on the street, and he told me I had the best influence in the country for any position in the Treasury Department, and he asked me if I did not know any Democratic Members or Senators. I told him no. He named over different ones, and I said, “I do not know them.” At last I said, laughingly, “I know. I was born and bred in Troy, near him.” I said, “I know John, but of course he is no good.” Creecy said, “He is just the man you want; he has never asked anything yet. Get to ask for a place for you and you will be taken care of.” Going down the street I met Mr. Stevens, a lawyer on Seventh Street, a friend of mine, and I told him of my conversation with Creecy. Said he, “The idea of you being recommended by ! I would starve first.” Said I, “I will not starve, and if can get me a place he will do it. He has always known me, and if I can get a place I am going to have it.” I went and saw, and