The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-04-26
BROUGHT TO BAY.
Grave Char xes Against the Presi-
dent of the United States.
MISUSE OF THE SECRET SERVICE
( ETTNn

OF THE SECRET SERVICE
FUND.
FARIL .NG STORY AFFECTING THE INTEG-
RiIf OF THE PREsIDENT-THE SECRET
SET VICE MONEY USED FOR CARRYING THE
NJ w YORK ELECTIoNs-THE MONEY PAID
o THE ORDER OF GENERAL GRANT-TEs-
nMoNY OF WHITLEY AND EX-ATToRNRY
GENERAL WILLIAMS.
The Washington CORE spondent of the
New York Herald writes: An astounding
was made to-day in Mr.. Caul-
fields committee on expenditures in the
department of justice, the testimony in
volving in avery painful manner the
president of the United States. The story
relates to and confirms the charges made
in New York in 1872 that the adminisira-
ton lad iLteriered, in an improper and
even corrupt manner, in the elections of
that year. 1t will be remembered that in
that year John /. Davenport became no.
torious for his conduct as federal supervi-
sor OF elections and Uniteds States
commissioner under the law giving the
federal rower authority tn superintend
elect ols of federal officers. 1t was
shown today, first by the testimony OF
Colonel Whitley, ex-chief of secret service,
and then by the cOnhrmatory admissions
of ex-Attorney General Williams, that
Williams, through Whitley, sent to Dav-
export in all at different times $50, 900 OF
the secret service fund of the department
of justice; that all this was thus sent dur
ing the months Immediately preceding
the elections in New York. and that 1t was
given TO Whitley for Davenport by
Williams on the direct orders of Presi.
dom nf I'm fo1 mi Dc ho oto -,
its details: Some days ago Colonel WHIT
ley, ex-chiet of the secret service, appeared
before the committee on expenditure o;
the department of justice ard testified to
having furnished John /. DavenpCr', of
New York, large amounts of
MONEY FROM THE SECRET SERVICE FUND
on the order of Attorney General Williams
and stated that be believed he had certain
letters and vouchers at his residence in
Boston to prove the fact. Upon the order
OF the committee he proceeded to Boston
and returned only to-day, when his ex-
animation was continued. He produced
to-day receipts from Davenport amount
ing to something 'ver $50, 900, which
money, he testified. he paid to Davenport,
about Sc, 900 on the order of Attorney Gen.
er Al Akermsn aud the balance on the or
der OF Attorney General Williams during
the years 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1874 in the
months immediately preceding the cleo
ton in New York in each of those years
and the most part during the presidential
campaign of 1872. He produced letters
from Attorney Generals Akerman and
Williams, which are in themselv es sugges-
tive specimens of political literature. He
also stated that his Information derived
from Attorney General Williams was that
the money was pa d on the order of Presi
dent Grant. Attorney General Williams
was then summoned before tho COMMITTEES
and testified, IN effect, that Whitley's
statement was cor,ect; that he had paid
the money to Davenport at first
ON THE WRITTEN ORDER OF PRESIDENT
GRANT,
ne himself being indisposed to make the
payments; that be made the first payment
upon the order or request OF the president
and aiterward saw the latter at the execu-
tive mansion, who informed him that
Davenport was engaged in great work,
preparing some books, which, as Williams
characterized it, were a of kind of inven-
| ticn TO prevent frauds in the elections
The president said that he had seen the
books end commended very highly Dsven-
ports plan. Mr.. Williams further testified
that AL this money was paid out to Chiei
o
Lsined in The department ofjustice to show
that Davenport had received a dollar
| from tbis secret service fund, and that toe
money was paid to Davenport by Whitley
without any sggreement as to what il
should be used for or how much should
be used, Daverport's rtqaisitions being
always nonored, and that she department
has never received any informal on as to
W hat the money was used for. Mr.. Will
liams was carefully Intercepted as to
whether this expenditure was in the line
OF Davenport's official duty, either as chiti
of supervisors In New York or as United
states commissioner, both of which Offices
the latter held, and was unable TO state
stat such was the case.
MR.. WILLIAMS WAS EXPLICIT IN STATING
that he would not have paid the money
except by direction of the president, and
that he never sought to ascertain the par.
ticular use to which the money was ap.
piled. The president will probably be sub.
pPnaed before the @ Imnittee TO answtl
these questions for himself. During the
course OF the examination of ex-AttorDey
| General Williams he was ssked what con.
| vtrsatiOn passed between himself aud the
president when the latter ordered the frs
| pay ment OF money to Davenport, the Oh
ject OF the question being to draw from The
witness the admission that he had, as the
law officer of the government, advised ths
president that such a payment of money
was illegal. But the witness answered
that he could not recolleCt precisely
what the convers sation was; and, when the
question was put in a more leading way
almost directly, In fact, he still tailed to
/ recollect what had been said. The ques.
ton whether the committee shall cali the
president before the m or not, and in vbsl
manner they shall question him, will
probably be discussed by the committee
| tomorrow. Presidents JEFF rson and
\ Lincoln appeared before committees oi
Congress 10 testify, and General Grant
it Is believed, desires to appear, and will
come as soon as he Is summoned. In the
Black Friday investigation the ommittes
sent him copy OF the testimony, and re-
quested him to send in such answers as he
| chose TO make. 1t is said that there has
| been
UNEAsINEss IN ADMINISTRATION CIRCLES
for sorraa do xu lor,f n oor,ir0 opd orx, no y