Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-03-21
The War Department mvestig alton.
"Ge ntlemaa Georges" Fee.
What General Butler Says.

what General Butler Says.
Committee on Expenditures In the War De-
partment-
W. SCOTT SMITH,
correspondent of the New York Evening Post,
was iDterrogated with reference to a tele-
gram from him in that paper last Friday,
which stated that evidence had been discov-
cred showing conclusively that thirty thou
sand dollars of the money received by
PendletOn for getting the Kentucky Central
railroad claim allowed went into the hands
OF Mrs. Bowers, now Mrs. Belknap, but was
not paid TO her directly, &c; and that a
prominent republican lawyer, who hid
taken much interest in the matter, having
thoroughly probed it, said the case was a
very clear one, and that 1t would be IN easy
matter for Mr.. Clymer's committee to get at
the facts fthey were so disposed.
Representatives Roboins and Clymer re-
marked that the statement of the correspond
ent was contrary TO Mr.. PendIeton's testi-
mony that he paid no money to any person
WhomsOever; therefore IL was untruthful.
Mr.. Clymer asked the witness the name of
the prominent republican lawyer to whom
he alluded.
Mr. Bass understood that the witness had
DO objection to disclosing the name, but he
would suggest that 1t be given to the COM
mittee privately, so t5at they might issue a
subpoena.
The witness, after further proceedings,
said the republican lawyer TO whom ne al
luded was in the city when the telegram was
written, and that MIR. DanfOrd, a member of
this committee, also had the Information
possessed by the witness. 1t was Mr.. Dan
lords wish that the name of the lawyer
should not be publicly disclosed. The room
was cleared of all persons except the COM
mittee and the witness, when q private ses-
sion was held. Mr.. Smith did not give the
rarne of his informant, but was allowed
time TO consult him before doing so, when
the door was opened.
EVANS PARTNER.
j. j. Fisher, OF st. Louis, testified: He was
associated with Evans as post trader al Fort
Sill; they made contract with Caleb z.
Marsh for the privilege; Marsh exacted a
tribute Of 1000 a year, which sum was
paid quarterly in advance, commencing In
October, 1870; this amount was paid for two
they could not afford to continue to pay the
tribute the yearly charge was reduced to
$1,000, which has been paid up TO the 18th OF
April, lSIo; the witness stated that when he
told Marsh that unless he reduced the tri.
butte they would be compelled to give up
their business at Fort Sill, Marsh hestated
for some time before acceding to the PROPOSE
tioD; Marsh never told him that the Secre-
tary of War had any Information Concern
ing the contract with Marsh; the latter never
informed him that he had influence with the
Secretary OF War.
@. What did Marsh refer to when he said
TO Mr.. Evans, In a note. that ii he did not
pay the bonus il would he bad for him?
Al only know that Marsh controlled the
appointment, and my inference is that Marsh
would compel me to pay the bonus, or make
IL warm foi noe; we would not have paid him
the money II we haC not oslieved ne could
have turned US out.
Mr.. Bass inquired of the witness whether
he regarded IL as moral aud innocent to give
MI. Marsh So, 600 year for the privilege of
the post traderships. The witness replied
that SELF preservation was the first law of
natuIe.o
Nj. BassTsaid it seemed that the witness
wanted to preserve his property aud BALD
thought be was doing anything wrong in
prot citing himself.
BELENAP'S BROTHFR-IN LAW,
James \. fomlinsou. of Kentucky, testified
That he was appointed post trader al Camp
Mcdowell, but reSis Ied In November, 1872;
ne was appointed by Gen. Belknap, his
hrother-in- Jaw; DR.. VIM. TOnlinsOn, his
brother, was his partner; they gave up the
place becs use the post was small and yield
ed Out little profit; John Smith was their
successor, appointed by the Secretary of
War, on the recommendation OF the witness,
Gov. Mccormick and Others. The witaess
wished to contradict n statement concerning
him, saying that he did not serve in the con-
iedeTate, but in the federal army, and had
10 money whatever To any person, directly
or indirectly, for TIE post leadership.
W. SCOTT SMITHS INFORMANT.
About 3 O'Clock W. Scott Smith again
came before the committee, and was asked
To give the committee the name of the prom
lnent republican lawyer TO whom he alluded,
the same information had been commune
Gated TO Mr.. Danford, member OF the COM
mittee, in his presence, and that Mr.. Dan
ford had given the Information to Mr.. Bass,
also of the committee. The lawyer had re-
quested Mr.. Danford to keep his name pri
vate. and the witness regarded this also as
an admonition to himself
Mr.. Smith was permitted to go To his home
in custody of a deputy sc. geant at arms, and
required to appear before the committee
again to-day: The promiaent republican
lawyer is said 10 be Gen. Il. +. Butler, for
whom a subpoena has been issued. Mr..
Danford being sick, was not present in COM
mittee yesterday.
TO.day's Proceedings.
GIN. p. +. BUTLER ON THE STAND.
The House Committee on Expenditures in
the War department met this morning at
lib ocl ock.
Gen. II. f. Butler sworn:-The attention OF
the witness was directed TO the dispatch of
Friday last TO the New York Evening Post
stating that prominent republican lawyer
had given the correspondent certain facts
about the Kentucky Central railroad claim.
Q Are you the prominent republican law
yer referred to?
A. really cannot say, sir. have spoken
of the matter prtmarially to Mr.. DanfOrd OF
the committee. L have not spoken on the
subject to the correspondent OF the New York
EUening Post. He WIS present at some OF the
conversations / have had with Mr.. DanfOrj.
/ had gentleman investigating the matter of
law suit in which / was counsel, aud after
his investigation he came 10 me in New
York and said be had been told by one per-
SOD, who was informed by another that she
when $4,000 was paid over to Mrs. Bowers
said to have been paid by Mr.. Pendleton. L
said: "Can You get at that person" He seid,
yes" said: al think you nad better do
so and probe IL TO the bottom. Can't you 10
1t now" He said "no" and went away.
He came back to me and said he had an
arrangement to meet the party who had the
Information and would see them on Wednes-
day. He came over To Washington and
went back to New York on Wednesday. i
sail: Are you going back about that mat
teI?' He said: "Yes." / said: eff you need
my presence telegraph me and will come
over" On Thursday he sent me
CIPHER TELEGRAM
sayipg:-"The parties whom was TO meet
left New York for New Orleans on Tuesday
night" Under those circumstances L COM
munlcated the Information to Mr.. Danford,
as have told them to the committee. said
1t is evident that somebody has been tam
pering with those parties TO send them away
SO suddenly. said If you can get your com
mittee to issue a summons, and will get the
Sergeant-at-Arms 10 deputize q man will
name to 60 to New Orleans, i think they can
be caught This conversation with Mr.. Dan
ford think was last Friday evening. have
not seen Mr.. Danford since. i have no objec-
tion 10 giving the names Of the party in pri-
ya.e 10 the committee.
q. Who was your informant?