What is President Grant trying to find in the barrel? If President Grant was busy with scandals, what is likely to happen to his focus on Reconstruction efforts in the South?

President grant was trying to save his face from the scandals that was uproaring about him thinking if he gets to the barrel his scandal will end. President grant was not corrupt but he was surrounded by corrupt individual and he was attempting to run away from his problems.

If he focus on the scandal he would not be able to focus on the reconstruction effort. This eventually affect his governance has he not trusted by his own people again.