The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-10-14
HOW CLEws GOT HIS AGENCY.

TESTIMONY OF A PARTNER IN THE PROFITS
INFLUENCING MEMBERS OF CoNGREss-
JUDGE DENT GETS HIS SHARE OF THE PRO-
CEEDs-THE TRUE INwARDNEss OF 2HE
Thing.
NEW YORK, Oct. THE examination OF Benz
H. Cheever, as a creditor of Henry Clews
was CT ntinued yesterday before Register in
Bankruotcy Retchum. In reply TO the cross
questioning OF the counsel Cheever testified as
follows: Clews spoke to me repeatedly OF estaD-
fishing banking house in Washington. FL
nally he tod me he was endeavoring to obtain
the United states agency and wanted my aid. He
promised to pay me literally. He stated to me
the value of his agency ana made a proposition
to give me one quarter of the entire profits,
my correspondence will show In full. q. What
Inducements If any, were offered by you TO Mr..
to there contracts? a. The inducement wss that
thought could aid him and thatI would give
him my time aud my services TO accomplish Il:
TO Clews and say something of your
relations Wiib persons influential With
do nos Saying m
specifically. knew most Of the members Oi
the adminis' ration intimately. / may have
Clews in any shape or manner. q. Did you not
mention 10 AIR. Clews the names of Senator
anthony and logan? A.: probably mentioned
! the names of eat many senators and
members of congress. knew forty fifty.
do not remember that I told Mr.. Clews
or any special influence or power which
, had with the members of congress
or the administration. / can not tell where
Jsmes Van Buren, may be found, and can not
remember how his name came to be pu in the
agreement. q. What was the consideration in
the agreement between you and Clews? n. All
lawful services that could render in Washing
ton or elsewhere in showing his standing AZ q
banker, etc, etc. until success was obtained;
and when obtained, in aiding him here and
in London. @. Showing to whom? A. Men,
bers of the administration. the cabinet and
others. Secretary boutwell, for one. can not
you remember eopferrlng with other
members OF the cabinet. members Of congre. 8
or the Senate? A. did with great number.
repeatedly conferred with senators Conkling, ,
Maine, Sumner, Vice-Presldent Wilson, who
took great interest in Clews, Speaker y aine,
senators Logan, Banks and Butler Brtler,
especially, LOOK great interest IN Clews
/ inc my books and papers, Senator sherman, of
Ohio, Ramsey, of Minnesota, Window, Chan
| dIer OF Michigan, samuel Hooper, of Boston.
| peano, of the cabinet, and others. q. Was
| there
ANY OTHER CONSIDERATION
| than that already specified? A. Yes; aid in
getting as many disbursements as possible
| through this agency. i introduced Clews TO
Cushing, and an arrangement was proposed as
| to deposits connected with the foreign consulate
Fifteen million dollars was mentioned in this
connection. Q. Explain more fuily the word
aid. A, This agency WIS one or the choicest
! things in the gift Of the government. 1 talked
to those who had power TO maze these deposits
and disbursements. spoke of fClews as ''such a
wise, energetic and trustworthy man j" ana "a
very liberal friend OF the administration.
i showed the weakness of other houses, calltn z
urged that an American house ought TO have it,
and that IL was not proper TO give IL TO Morton,
Bliss & Co., as one OF their partners was Sir
john Rose, a title gentleman In England.