Daily national Republican., 1863-10-29
LOCAL NEWS.


rest Of Mr.. WMidmsoa-l Vfs9 from col. Bsksr-hs
Supposed Cttect- Ikmayks Abom ne Proprtey ef ~
Sale Of the Rags, Lint, 4c.--ln the RfruBticAn Of
yesterday afternoon notice appeared calling for
meeting OF Pennsylvanians now In the city, to
be holden at the rooms Of the Pennsyivaoia Relief
Association, No. lsI Eleventh street, between
and F. to take into confederation the recent arrest
tpf Joseph A. Willamson, agent OF the assooiation.
Accordingly, aAhalf.past seven O'Clock, number
OF gentlemen having appeared at the place desis-
mated, the meeting was organized by calling Hon.
J. Il. Brady to the chair, and appointing C. Robb
secretary. 'u' ... f.....r
It was stated that at meeting held the night
previous q committee was appointed TO ascertain
all the facts connected with the recent arrest Of
MIR. Jossph A. Williamson, agent Of the Associa-
tion, charged with the sale Of Government stores,
and applying the proceeds to his own use, and to
petition the removal Of Col. L. c. Baker, provost
marshal Of the War Department, by whom the ar
rest was made. .....rr
Hon. L. McPherson stated, on behalf Of the com.
mittee appointed at the last meeting that the com.
mittee were ready to report, which they did, as
Ellows: XVI.
.... WASHINGTON, OCT: %, 1883.
. The committee appointed to report the facts A.
hanson, by order Of Col Baker, Provost Marshal
Of the War Department, and hts subsequent re-
sna as sss one
the most active members of TIE Pennsylvania Re
lief Association, and Ia q member OF Its active
.sns snd % os his se a SS
and has rendered most valuable and important ser
vice, rs well in hospital rs In tho Held About
the stores OF the Association from the Patent ONCE
to the rooms now occupied BY III and the question
so.e z. to the some
aer vas Sasserminsd to sell
q m S;s4 81 81 .ns
given by the chairmxh Of the Executive Commit
tee, and under the general direction Of Mf. VIII
Of Dr. Houston, another member Of the Executive
Committee, packed the material, and sent It to
Francis d Bogert, regular dealer Of rhiladtlphia,
who had made q previous purchase from the Asso-
citation. The lot weighed i,ces pounds, for which
Mr.. Bogcrt paid re M sn% & 9d ~ ~ which nc wss s
RDase e ee e o ths
submitted ~ MI. Williamson 70 the eh.ir%sn q
the Executive Committee; thus concluding his re-
sponsibility to the Association. Tiis TOOK place
October 18th.
On the aith inst. Mr. Williamson was arrested
while at his desk In the Interior Department by =
detective of Col Baker, and was taken to the office
Ofthe latter without the remotest idea that any
charge has been preferred agsin,t him. After wait
ing about an hour Major Levi q. Turner, Judge Adj
yocate, and Col. Baker, Provost Marshal Of the
War Department entered the room, and conver-
to Retail. The sum Of il was thpt Mr.. Williamson
was informed that he was charged with selling
Government stores and pocketing the money, ana
Williamson yehemently protested his innocence,
aud appealed Tor an opportunity TO explain the
Transaction and send for partie. Of the highest re-
Baker replied that he should see no one.
Mr. Williamson asked to be allowed to remain
II Baker; until ne could ssna IS iSr Nc
the chairman OF the Executive COMMITTEES Of the
Association. Baker denied his prisoner this priv.
vSen I lie reached the Old Capitol, and handing hi.
commitment to an Officer, baker left the room:
One of the officials, witness Of this injustice and
cruelty to man as innocent A. any ot his accu-
sers, and more innocent than some whose pres.
ence he WAS obliged to tolerate, furnished Mr.
Williamson with de,k, before his removal Va 70 the
About O'clock On ths. day, III. a!.t in,t.nt, he he
e. fsy hs
compllshed. immediately upon hearing ofthe cir
cumstancea, Mr.. Usher, Secretary OF the lnterisr,
clerk, and subsequently, Messrs. Brady and Aaton,
Of the Executive Committee OF the Association,
called upon Major Turner st his house, AND were
the opportunity for which had been abruptly de-
MED to the helpless prisoner; The result Of these
about rs D. M, the same day OF his arrest, Major
Turner being fully satisfied oi his entire innocence.
Your committee have but few remarks to make
toms conduct and motiyes. he acted under COM
etent authority paid promptly to III The IT srssssry 81
Is wholly acquitted Of blame.
This association has no more faithful member.
ity with which he has dischstgel every duty.
p Pr i. F1tGsiiOs, FF.rSsi IL. il: tsmIs, Hssps.
After the reading of the above report, slr. Nc
Pherson made verbal statement relative to the
proposition made at the last meeting to petition
the remov al Of Col Baker. lie said the 90 nmittee
had deemed 1t best not to prepare any petition oi
that character, but to leave the matter open for
the action OF this meeting.
After several gentlemen had made some observa.
lions under this head, 1t was announced that some
one desired to see the chairman OF the meeting In
the hall. Judge Brady vacated the chAir for few
moments and went out. He soon returned, and
stated to the meeting that the person who wished
to see him was Col. Baker and that the latter had
requested private conversation with him, which
he had declined to concede at the present time.
several gentlemen here desired that Col. Baker
should be admitted, and said the meeting woult
hear any statement he might desire to makei but
in the meAntime, the visitor had left. 1t was sur
missed by some that Col Baker desired to state ths
.tdei that he arrested Mr.. Williamson on written
order from the War Department, signed by Judge
Advocate Turner, directing his arrest and commit
he (Bsk1r) had no discretion In the matter, even Il
he hsd known Of his innocence, but was compelled
to obey ordera. "a,
Il having been announced to the meeting thai
Mr.. Williamson WAS out on parole, and that Judg,
Turner had said II the chairman Of the executive
committee would make = written statement thai
the sale In question was made by his order, b,
you'd Internationally release Mr. Willisnson,
motion was made requesting Jadse Brady to STATE
this fact. Mr.. - deemed this desirable A. mat
ter of Justice to Mr.. W. There wss no document
ary evidence now in the War Department estab
fishing his innocence. Such paper would remair
there as a perpetual sxculpation Of Mr. William
on. The motion was agreed to. ,.
One Of the most distinguished members and OH
GERS of the Association paid ahigh compliment Il
Mr.. Williamson's integrity and patriotism and I,
his usefulnesp as q member Of the Association
He stated, however, that he regretted the sale o
the articles. He would have rather paid the sun
received than that II should have been done, 70
the reason that the people At home would not un
derstand the necessity for Its sale as well As di
the Association, and that 1t would have tendenc
) to decrease the number OF doustions. . .
} A general interchange OF views on this subjec
was had, and the warmest confidence In the hon
esty, integrity, and patriotiam OF Mr. Williamson
was expressed ny every member present afte
which the me citing adjourneJ