http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/inside.asp?ID=85&subjectID=2
A typically terrific quote from Lincoln’s White House, though shockingly, this one did not emanate from Lincoln himself. Here, corrupt War Secretary Simon Cameron’s reputation is discussed:
Mr. Lincoln reportedly asked Thaddeus Stevens about Cameron’s honesty and was told that “I do not believe he would steal a red hot stove.” When the President repeated the story, Cameron was offended and a retraction from Stevens was demanded. The crusty Republican congressman replied that he could have been wrong and thus suggesting that perhaps Cameron might steal a red hot stove.