Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-02-04
CUSTOMHOUSE CORRUPTION.
Grants Relations with Leet
And the General Order Business.

NEW YORK, Feb. 3.-At the customhouse
investigation this morning Senator Casser-
ly complained of the slowness with which
information called for from the customhOuse
comes in. Gen. Hillyer corrected some of
his Yesterdays testimony, saying Gen.
Cochrane told him that Mudgett made the
statement that Porter was receiving money
from the general order business of New
York. He mentioned this to Leet who
subsequently, said he had spoken of it to
Porter, who then desired an interview with
Mudgett. Witness also stated that he had
expected to give testimony in Washington,
and a week ago went to see the President,
thinking it due him that all the facts con-
nected with the business should be made
known.
Witness admitted having informed persons
in Washington he had important evidence
which he desired to offer, showing that the
President was not connected with the gen.
eral order jobbery. Although the President
at first was anxious that Leet should not
90 to the Customhouse, but should take a
superintendency in Pennsylvania, he sub
sequently consented to have Leet TO take
labor contract. The contract was to be in
the name of Howe, a York politician.
Question-When did the President first
become aware of Leet's connection with
the general order business under the name
of BiXley?
AnsWer-My impression is that he did
not know anything about it until it came
out on the testimony before the committee
last February.
Odd the President ever in converse
ton with you give you to understand that
such was the case?
Ayes he did.
Q-When?
Ain our conversation two weeks ago.
I was pretty sure he told me so.
Senator Casserly here read an extract
from the stenographer's notes of Col.
Leet's testimony in which Leet admitted
that be had a conversation with Gen. Grant
about the general order business before he
came on to New York to get it.
Senator Bait interrupted here with a
motion that the stenographer be instructed
to not incorporate in the testimony the ex-
tract just read.
Senator GassAElEzsX on. MIGHT as we'll OBJ
ject to Gen. Hiidiyer testTmotElsy Del1g taken
down.
Senator Pratt-Allew me. You don't
understand
Senator Casserly-Allow me, if you
please. l have every reason to complain of
the manner in which you interrupt me. l
think if l cannot examine the witness on
the case, we might as well abandon the in
yestigation so far as l am concerned.
On the roll being called, all the members
present voted against Senator Pratt's mo-
ton, except Pratt himself.
The witnesses examination continued a
short time further, but no testimony Of i'm
portance was elected.
Charles D. Moullen, Assistant Weigher,
testified that no one approached Mr.. Rogers
or asked to have some coal sent to their
houses, as stated in the testimony of a
former witness.
An affidavit of W. II. Benedict was read
to the effect that Inspector ClOyes wanted
cart-load of his coal, promising to serve him
if he did so.
Mr.. Jayne, special Treasury Agent, re-
lated how shortly after he reported for duty
in 1869, be discovered that the weighers
were in the habit Of returning revenue by
returning and swearing to false rolls Of Ia
borers by returning short weights in collu-
sion with importers. He had number of
them arrested; the books and papers of
tkirty-two importers were seized. During
his examination he stated he believed the
New York importers on commission would
defraud the revenue, though gaining no
profit from the fraud for the sake of increas-
ing their business.
Running Away.
In the morning Senator Pratt gave notice
that the Committee would adjourn to
Washington next Saturday, and that no
witness would be examined longer than
one hour.