New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-04
OFFICIAL MISREPRESENTATION.
TESTIMONY OF s. l.. PHELPS.


The next witness was S. l.. Phelps, the
Second Vice President OF tho Pacific Mail steamship
Company under the Stock wei administration.
Mr.. Burchard-What is your name and businessf A.
s. L. Phelps; second Vice-President OF the Pacific
Mail Steamship Company in 1879 and 1873.
@ Beginning at what timef A. can't tell the exact
date entered the service OF the Company at the end
Of 1854 and remain cd In 1t until May, 1878.
O. Were you member of the Executive Boardi
No. Sir. had nothing to do with 1t.
O. What were the duties OF your positioni My duties
were moro particularly confined to tho China
line II had any other duties whatever OF any KIND
thew were specially assigned by the President.
O. Did the disbursements OF money pass through your
handsf A. No, Sir. -..,-
reports often went through my hands a..
eoiptsi A. Yes; to criticse the accounts.
O. Were the accounts OF the San Francisco AGENCY re-
ouired TO be checked allowed by your A. No, Sir;
had nothing to do with tue accounts oil the San Fran
cisco agency.
Francisco agency A. No, Sir; my supervision was
| over the Eastern agents.
@ You had nothing 10 do, then, with the business OF
the San Francisco agencyi A. Except when specially
sent by the President.
YOU can for what purpose you desire TO testify
A. mad In Mr. Baby's testimony that he says. - think
conpG" ! went TO see Mr.. Baby yesterday. and told
him that could not understand his Testimony. He told
morning at the office Of the Pacific Railroad Company
&C 1880 a. m but he not there, and expected then
remembered my saying something OF that sort to him.
but do not remember 1t. He also remembered my
telling him that that report OF Mr.. StOckwell was
thing that neither he would sign. have procured
from MI Bellows the President OF the Company at
that time letter, which would like very much II the
gentlemen Of the press would publish In full.
Q. Does 1t bear upon this question A. Yea: Sir, It
@ My impression is that this would not be evidence
A. II 1t is not read, shall have to demand that Mr.
Bellows be called upon that point either hero or In
O. viii submit 1t to the full Committee in Washing
ton. A Now have to state that l mad nothing what;
to do with the NewYorE Office OF the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company, Its accounts had nothing what
ever to do with in form, shape or manner wrote Mr.
Stockweps report IN 1873. from his dlotailon had
nothing do with the composition. with the financial
part Of that paper had nothing to do at ALL asked
hun s ~ RSssDS s6at you intend Fl.n TO
cisco agencyi" lie SAID, Yes the money is expended
70 ecse IT in the hearing or such members OF
the Board of Directors knew, so that there should
q. You say you told Capt Baby that you would not
sign it whyi A Simply because didn't think 1t fair
q What was there that you excepted TOT A. Well 1t
q misrepresentation; 1t was report calculated to
ST. stoct tWe Of other Ines ' N'''
O You were then second PRESIDENT A Yes, sir
not appointed by drecorsi A. was appointed 1t
election, like that OF VicePresdent OF the Com
o. In the absence OF the President and first Vice
President would be the President Of the Company
O. You We're aware that there was false report made
by Mr. bt0CkWeNf A. NO, cir, say IL was ld5o
report said 1t was report calculated to deceive the
stockholders
O. Aud you would not sign It, A. No, Sir; would not
sign IL. Informed such directors as knew.
O. Whom did you lnfoTmf A. Mr. Williams, Mr..
Clews, and Mr.. kinRsland.
O understand you that there were certain items
connected with the Pacific line that you criticised A
did not cOnfDe IL 10 the Pacific line
O. Will you state what these items were. that You
were dissatisfied withl A. Yes, Sir; was dissatisfied
with The representations OF the value OF the California
Coast line particularly struck with that s6Oo,OoO
charge TO the San Francisco agency.
O. And criticised these matters to those directors,
Mr.. Williams, MIR. Ciews, aud MIR. Klngslandi A. Yes,
they the special committee who had III
charge the purchase OF these New-Z.aand steamers.
/ therefore knew them better.
O. DO You mean Mr.. Williams-what Mr.. Williams
A. lie was "a gentleman from Pedrlst.
O. What was his official position Was he a director
the Company A. He was for short Time director
IL was about three four days before left the
q. What knowledge have you IN regard 10 the dis
bursement the Appropriation OF money belonging 10
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company for the purpose OF
procuring legislation by Congress during the time that
you Second Nlce-PfebldcutI a. have NO kn0W
edge OF my own directly
o. Have you knowledge from the statement OF any
officer person in the employment OF the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company, OF what purporfed 10 be is Use
yersaiiOu regarding the San Francisco agency clearly
ackno dyed expenditure OF money in Washington.
O Please state the details rs well as you A.
There Is only thing which can say Is direct. He
told me that he supposed, there was 10 be Con-
greBsOnal investgaOn that he would have to send Mr.
Irwin Of the country and Keep him away for awhile
O. When did 10 make that statement TO yOuf A. l
thiak have boen III september-n August OF Sep
TENDER 1872.
10 sppteInbtIf A. Yes, 5.r.
q. lAel yVu have 40 personal knowledge with regard