William G. McAdoo to Cary T. Grayson
Title
William G. McAdoo to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
McAdoo, W. G. (William Gibbs), 1863-1941
Identifier
WWP16469
Date
1923 June 28
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Dear Doc
For a long time, certain desperate political crooks have been trying to circulate innuendoes and slanders about me and my old law firm McAdoo, Cotton and Franklin, in connection with the Morse case. There is, of course, not the slightest ground for the criticism of McAdoo, Cotton and Franklin or any member of that firm in connection with Morse. In the first place, we never represented Morse himself, although there is no reason why we shouldn’t have done so if we had desired, as Morse like any other man, is entitled to the benefit of counsel. But we did represent the Virginia Shipbuilding Company, in which he was interested. At the time this case was brought to us, we were told that Ned McLean, Senator Davis Elkins, R. Lancaster Williams and other reputable men, were directors. We acted in a perfectly proper professional capacity and if Elihu Root or Charles Evans Hughes had done exactly the same legal work, filed the same legal briefs and made the same legal arguments, there would not have been a whisper or criticism about it. But if you are a Democrat, it seems to make a difference.
Now you know what I have always thought of Ned McLean and I have always supposed that he was a friend of mine but the Washington Post of , published a story, the headlines and first paragraph of which are distinctly libelous. This article was written by someone for the express purpose of trying to create a false impression to my personal injury and as evidence of it, I enclose a marked copy of the article which was sent in a blank envelope from Washington to Hon. Charles H. McGlue, (Chairman of the Democratic State Committee of Massachusetts) 75 State Street, Boston. I understand that the sender of this anonymous communication has sent similar ones to the Democratic committeemen in each of the forty-eight states. This is a dastardly and contemptible work. I know that Ned McLean would not be a party to such a thing if he knew about it and I should like you to call his attention to the use that these scoundrels are attempting to make of the Washington Post. There will be a day of reckoning for the people who are responsible for this business if I can ever discover their identity.
I wish you would tell Ned that any information he can give me about the author of the article or about the people who are sending it out in this anonymous and cowardly way, will be deeply appreciated and will be treated as strictly confidential. Please assure him that I don’t for a moment suppose that he knows who is sending this stuff out but I am hoping that he might may help us to discover the author of it. He could tell us, of course, who wrote this article for the Post if he feels at liberty to give me the information. If he feels that he should not divulge it, then I wish you would ask him if he won’t see that there is no repietition of this offense so far as the Post is concerned. All I want is fair play. That I am certainly not getting. This is dirty politics of the dirtiest sort and it will react upon those responsible for it. Please tell Ned that I know that he would not sanction for one moment this sort of stuff if he knew about it and it is for this reason that I am asking you to call it specifically to his attention.
Many thanks for your kindness about my niece. She has been unwilling to go to the hospital and therefore I do not see that we can do anything more at the present time. We are all well out here. Frank Sayre came a few days ago and we expect Jessie and the children on the 6th. It will be bully to have them here for the summer. I wish you and Gertrude and the babies could come out here. This is a wonderful summer climate.
I hope all goes well with you. Give Gertrude my best love and believe me, as always, with affectionate regards,
Your friend,
WG McAdoo
Admiral Cary T. Grayson,
1600 Sixteenth Street,
Washington, DC
For a long time, certain desperate political crooks have been trying to circulate innuendoes and slanders about me and my old law firm McAdoo, Cotton and Franklin, in connection with the Morse case. There is, of course, not the slightest ground for the criticism of McAdoo, Cotton and Franklin or any member of that firm in connection with Morse. In the first place, we never represented Morse himself, although there is no reason why we shouldn’t have done so if we had desired, as Morse like any other man, is entitled to the benefit of counsel. But we did represent the Virginia Shipbuilding Company, in which he was interested. At the time this case was brought to us, we were told that Ned McLean, Senator Davis Elkins, R. Lancaster Williams and other reputable men, were directors. We acted in a perfectly proper professional capacity and if Elihu Root or Charles Evans Hughes had done exactly the same legal work, filed the same legal briefs and made the same legal arguments, there would not have been a whisper or criticism about it. But if you are a Democrat, it seems to make a difference.
Now you know what I have always thought of Ned McLean and I have always supposed that he was a friend of mine but the Washington Post of , published a story, the headlines and first paragraph of which are distinctly libelous. This article was written by someone for the express purpose of trying to create a false impression to my personal injury and as evidence of it, I enclose a marked copy of the article which was sent in a blank envelope from Washington to Hon. Charles H. McGlue, (Chairman of the Democratic State Committee of Massachusetts) 75 State Street, Boston. I understand that the sender of this anonymous communication has sent similar ones to the Democratic committeemen in each of the forty-eight states. This is a dastardly and contemptible work. I know that Ned McLean would not be a party to such a thing if he knew about it and I should like you to call his attention to the use that these scoundrels are attempting to make of the Washington Post. There will be a day of reckoning for the people who are responsible for this business if I can ever discover their identity.
I wish you would tell Ned that any information he can give me about the author of the article or about the people who are sending it out in this anonymous and cowardly way, will be deeply appreciated and will be treated as strictly confidential. Please assure him that I don’t for a moment suppose that he knows who is sending this stuff out but I am hoping that he might may help us to discover the author of it. He could tell us, of course, who wrote this article for the Post if he feels at liberty to give me the information. If he feels that he should not divulge it, then I wish you would ask him if he won’t see that there is no repietition of this offense so far as the Post is concerned. All I want is fair play. That I am certainly not getting. This is dirty politics of the dirtiest sort and it will react upon those responsible for it. Please tell Ned that I know that he would not sanction for one moment this sort of stuff if he knew about it and it is for this reason that I am asking you to call it specifically to his attention.
Many thanks for your kindness about my niece. She has been unwilling to go to the hospital and therefore I do not see that we can do anything more at the present time. We are all well out here. Frank Sayre came a few days ago and we expect Jessie and the children on the 6th. It will be bully to have them here for the summer. I wish you and Gertrude and the babies could come out here. This is a wonderful summer climate.
I hope all goes well with you. Give Gertrude my best love and believe me, as always, with affectionate regards,
Your friend,
WG McAdoo
Admiral Cary T. Grayson,
1600 Sixteenth Street,
Washington, DC
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
McAdoo, W. G. (William Gibbs), 1863-1941, “William G. McAdoo to Cary T. Grayson,” 1923 June 28, WWP16469, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.