John McDonald and the Whiskey Ring
John McDonald and the Whiskey Ring

Author: Edward S. Cooper

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2016-10-28

Total Pages: 209

ISBN-13: 1683930134

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The most flamboyant, consistently dishonest racketeer was Supervisor of Internal Revenue John McDonald, whose organization defrauded the federal government of millions of dollars. When President Grant was asked why he appointed McDonald supervisor of internal revenue he responded, “I was aware that he was not an educated man, but he was a man that had seen a great deal of the world and of people, and I would not call him ignorant exactly, he was illiterate.” McDonald organized and ran the Whiskey Ring but he always credited Grant with the initiation of the Ring declaring that the president “actually stood god-father at its christening.” The demise of the Ring rivals anything that the real or fictional Elliot Ness and his “Untouchables” ever accomplished during the prohibition era in America.

Secrets of the Great Whiskey Ring
Secrets of the Great Whiskey Ring

Author: John McDonald

Publisher:

Published: 1880

Total Pages: 428

ISBN-13:

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Scandal usually traced to President Grant's secretary, O.E. Babcock, but McDonald accuses the President of participation. The ring appropriated over 1.2 million dollars in the state of Missouri.

Political Conspiracies in America
Political Conspiracies in America

Author: Donald T. Critchlow

Publisher: Indiana University Press

Published: 2008-03-19

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 0253027837

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Conspiracy theories have been a part of the American experience since colonial times. There is a rich literature on conspiracies involving, among others, Masons, Catholics, Mormons, Jews, financiers, Communists, and internationalists. Although many conspiracy theories appear irrational, an exaggerated fear of a conspiracy sometimes proves to be well founded. This anthology provides students with documents relating to some of the more important and interesting conspiracy theories in American history and politics, some based on reality, many chiefly on paranoia. It provides a fascinating look at a persistent and at times troubling aspect of democratic society.

Presidential Payola
Presidential Payola

Author: Thomas J. Craughwell

Publisher: Fair Winds Press

Published: 2011-04-01

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 1610580494

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Presidents with little oversight short of checks and balances have abused funding, misdirected money, misused personal funds, and misappropriated tax payer contributions for personal gain. This history of presidential monetary abuse details the biggest, often blatant, abuses of power where political influence was bought and sold, lucrative contract handed out to friends and political support is up for purchase. The tales are shocking examples of the oval office politicking gone wild and the damage it has done to the credibility of presidents. It also reveals, with more than 40 archival images, the sheer volume of tax payer money that goes awry for politicians’ personal gain with the presidential stamp on it or simply a purposeful presidential oversight.

Colonels in Blue--Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee
Colonels in Blue--Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee

Author: Roger D. Hunt

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2014-01-10

Total Pages: 259

ISBN-13: 1476613869

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This biographical dictionary documents the Union army colonels who commanded regiments from Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. Entries are arranged first by state and then by regiment, and provide a biographical sketch of each colonel focusing on his Civil War service. Many of the colonels covered herein never rose above that rank, failing to win promotion to brigadier general or brevet brigadier general, and have therefore received very little scholarly attention prior to this work.