Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-05-13
THAT CHICAGO SWEETNESS.
General James H. Bakers Statement
Reviewing Miss PensiOn-AGent
Sweets Evidence.
He had Nothing 10 do with the Blake.
ley Arrangement, and has Always
been Miss Sweets Friend.

ST.. PAUL, MINI, May IL The Po-
neer- Press and Tribune of this morning
publishes report of an interview with
General James II. Baker, formerly COM
missioner OF pensions, contradicting in
several important particulars the testi-
mOny Of Mics Ada Sweet, pension agent
at Chicago, regarding his connection
with the settlement of the three-thOu-
sand. dollar deficit. The following COZ.
versation took place:
Reporter-Miss Sweets testimony
would seem to imply that you were
privy to the alleged arrangement be-
tween Mr.. Blakely and Miss Sweet.
General BakeT-NOtbiDg of the kind.
never had any knowledge Of any ar.
raneement of any kind between the par
ties touching this matter until some
months after Miss Sweet assumed the
duties of her Office, when an apparent
deficit was found in her accounts of
three thousand dollars, and through the
regular official channel she was duly no.
titled of the fact, when she notified me
by a personal letter OF the facts in the
case. About the same time Blakely, by
a personal letter, notified me OF the stu.
alton. l concluded that this matter was
very important, and would go to Chi
cago myself and look after it; and did
so at the earliest possible moment. She
then recounted the general history of
the case. She seemed to have gotten
herself voluntarily into the situation.
tcld her promptly that she must cease
payirg any money to any one on this
account. This she gladly promised.
RepOTter-The newspaper version of
her testimony alleges that yourself and
Mr.. Blakely appeared in her office one
morning after your return from MINES
ota, and demanded immediate payment
of this apparent deficit.
General BakeI-She had been officially
notified from the Office before l knew
anything of the matter whatever; that
she could not evade thiP, l fully ex-
planned to her in her Office when on my
way to Minnesota; when / returned,
she was prepared and did make it good;
never went to Blakely's other office
for any purpose whatever; never talked
with her in Blakely's presence touching
the matter; ali our conversation con.
ctrning 1t took place in her private
Office: with closed doors; treated her
with the utmost kindness and consider
alton, as she herself has given me in
writing the most ample assurance, l
was Miss Sweets true friend, both In
the matter of her appointment and the
adjustment OF this whole affair, and did
all for her that could be done within the
limits Of my official duty; think Miss
Sweet an excellent woman, and always
took the deepest interest, as did my en-
tire office, in making her position pleas.
ant for her; her father and l were
friends; she has never received any.
thing but kindness at my hands.
In reply to the question, "What foun.
datiOn is there for the insinustion con-
tanned in the reports that Blakely tried
TO use your official power to screen his
acts?n General Baker is reported as re-
plying that Mr.. Blakely and himself
had been strong Personal friends for fif-
teen years, but he had never had any
business transactions with him of any
kind, nor did Blakely ever ask him 10
use his official position for his Blake
ly'sl personal purpose.
General Baker continued-Nor did l
know Of anything affecting the integri-
tv Of his administration OF the pension
agency, nor were any charges made az
fecting his fidelity in the discharge of
his duty while / was commissioner of
pensions. This matter between himself
aud Miss Sweet, OF which knew moth.
ing Until long after it was an accom-
pliahed fact, Is all that can affect his