The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-04-08
LAST EDITION
WASHINGTON.
COrruptiOns as Touched by Hnves.
tigating Committees.

tigating Committees
By American Press Association to the STAR.
WASHINGTON, April SIN the Com
mittee ON War Expenditures Gen. B. r.
Cowan, Assistant Secretary Of the Inte-
rior. testified that he ordered a settle
ment Of G. 8. Belps account. Bell had
brought him card asking for it. Wit
ness knew Bell had been appointed on
card from the President, and he under
stood he had rendered service, hence he
ordered him paid.
David Webster testified that he re-
sided in Concord, N. H., and was the In
ventor OF moth exterminator. which ne
offered to the Quartermaster Generals
| office in 1874, and tried to get an appro-
priation for 1t. He knew army clothing
was being destroyed by moths, and
knew his preparation would save them.
Mr.. Cox ridiculed the matter in speech
in the House, and he then went to Gen.
Meigs and tried to get him to test the
matter. Meigs refused to have any
several interviews witness asked what
| it would be worth TO him to introduce
the preparation? Witness said he would
not give him cent.
Question by Mr.. Clymer-Did you un-
derstand that he wanted a share in the
proceeds to introduce lt2 Answer-He
said so.
Odd you agree to give him any
money! Al said would not give u
cent.
Odd you ever state this conversa-
| ton before you told it here? Al
spoke TO persons here and in New Hamp-
| shire.
Q.-Was your process ever adopted?
Alt was not.
Witness went on to state that Meis 8
in note to him afterwards stated thai
| the Department mad adopted Cowles
Board of Army officers. Witness also
| put in evidence several letters from
Meigs on the subject.
| BY Mr.. Robins-General Meigs asked
me what benefit it would be tC
him II he should use my preparation
said it would kill moths. He asked
me what would give him, and pointin
his finger near his face said, "Not a -
cent"
BY Mr.. Danford--The conversation oc
Cured in General Meigs' office. There
were some clerks in his office, but ht
talked in a low tone OF voice. Genera
Meigs, In the presence OF A. f. Pike
said Cowles Sc Co.'s preparation wai
l WoAUhiCoof you VA"V ""o "AoOA " "a
adopted.
Witness told Mr.. Pike Of Meigs' prop
osition to him; Pike did not say any
thing in response; Meigs at one tim
offered to take $100 worth, but l said
Iwould not sell that Quantity to the Gov
ternment, but will give it.; no other arm
loficer offered him money. Wines
said he was here again to apply for a
appropriation for his preparation. II
did not ask for any cash until the efics
1 cy OF his preparation was proven. Sine
| witness had been here he had been tol
that he could make more money by no
going before the Committee than by dc
ling so, but did not know the man wh
| told him so. Met another man name
Ingnam Corryel, who said that IngalP
was also bought up by the Cowles cor
lcern.
Witness thought Corryell was mistal
. en-, and that Meigs was the man
meant.
Mr.. J. B. Connery, Of the N. Y
T, Herald, was sworn, and testified that
, February last he had charg
of the Herald, under j. 6
Bennett.
Question by Mr.. Danford - D
Iyou know G. S. Bell? Al d,
lQ.-Did you have conversation wit
Bell about cipher dispatch publishe
on the 10Th Of February A.--With a.
due respect to the Committee wan
to say that am not owner or proprieto
of the Herald, aud by answering thi
Iquestion would be exposing the privat
: affairs of the Herald and decline to d
so.
In answer to other questions, he rt
turned the same answer. de was the
asked whether he would answer til
lquestion ii permission was given b
Mr.. Bennett. He replied In the atfirms
tive, and was given until Tuesday mex
Ito return an answer.
At q O'Clock General Meigs appeare
land was sworn, after which Webster
= testimony was read to him. He sal
: that one David Webster was at his otfic
Iseyeral times in 1874. He ordered th
trial OF Webster's moth exterminatol
land it was made at Philadelphia
3 Never said l would order $4,000
/ Iworth of the article; did agree I
|! take 500 worth, but he said tn
order was too small; never mad
suggestion to Webster that he wante
an interest; Department used Cowle
preparations, but used none now, a
IUongress refused to appropriate for /
, Webster called witness on several time
was llght-headed. Witness was aske
what special influence caused the adoI
tion of Cowles' preparation. He replie
that Bregar, partner OF Cowles, wa
very active, and also Don Piatt was ali
active in procuring its adoption. II
never knew that they used any il
proper influences.
Gen. Meigs was very emphatic Wi
his denial OF Webster's statement. II
J never asked for an interestfin the pro
ess; that the conversation was pure
imaginary.
At3:3o'P. NJ. the Committee adjourne
! till Monday.