Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-03-21
The War Department Investig alton.
"Ge ntlesnan Georges" Fee.
Did Pendleton Divide with Mrs. Bowers?
What General Butler Says.

what General Butler Says.
At yesterday afternoons session of the
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 copclusively 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 aud that
prominent republican lawyer, who hid
taken much interest in the matter, having
thoroughly probed IL, said the case was
very clear one, and that ii would be an easy
matter for Mr.. Clymer's committee to get at
the facts If they were so disposed.
Representatives Robbnns aud Clymer re-
marked that the statement of the correspond
ent was contrary to Mr.. Pendleton's testi-
mODy 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 IL be given to the COM
mittee privately, so t2at they might issue
subpoena.
The witness, after further proceedings,
said the republican lawyer TO whom he al
lUded was in the city when the telegram was
written, and that Mr.. Dauford, a member of
this committee, also had the Information
possessed by the witness. II 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
raIne of his informant, but was allowed
time TO consult him before doing so, when
the door was opened.
EVANS PARTNER.
j. Fisher, of st. Louis, testified: He was
associated with Evans as post trader at Fort
sill; they made a contract with Caleb z.
Marsh for the privilege; Marsh exacted a
tribute OF 1900 year, which sum was
paid quarterly in advance, commencing In
October, 1870; this amount was paid for two
years and a half; on representation that
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, 1876; 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 esitated
for some time before acceding to the PROPOSE
tiOn; 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.
Q. What did Marsh refer to when he said
10 Mr.. Evans, In a note. that ii he did not
pay the bonus il would Oe 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 me; we would not have paid him
the money IL we had not believed he could
have turned US out.
Mr.. Bass INQUIRED of the witness whether
he regarded IL as moral aud innocent to give
Mr.. Marsh $500 year for the privilege of
the post traderships. The witness replied
that MISREPRESENTATION was the first law of
natuTe.o
Nj. BassTsaid IL seemed that the witness
wanted TO preserve his property and build
tngs. The witness remarked that he never
thought he was doing anything wrong in
prot citing himself.
BELKrAP's BRoTHER-IN LAW,
James A. romlinsou, of Kentucky, testified
Mcdowell, but rests Ied in November, 1872;
he was appointed by Gen. Belknap, his
hrother-in- law; DR.. VIM. TOnlinsOn, his
brother, was his partner; they gave up the
place becp use the post was snail and yield
cd Dut little profit; John Smith was their
snccessor, appointed by the Secretary of
War, on the recommendation OF the witness,
Gov. Mccormick and others. The witaess
wished to contradict a statement concerning
him, saying that he did not serve in the con-
iedeTate, but in the federal army, and had
always voted tie republican ticket. He paid
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
inent republican lawyer to whom he alluded,
the same Information had been commune
Gated TO Mr.. Danford, a member OF the COM
Inittee, in his presence, and that Mr.. Dan
ford mad given the Information TO Mr.. Bass,
also of the committee. The lawyer had re-
quested Mr.. Danford To keep his name pri-
waite. and the witness regarded this also as
an admonition to himself
Mr.. Smith was permitted to go TO his home
in custody OF q deputy sc. geant at arms, and
required to appear before the committee
again today day 70 The ne Promse1t PepTnblcaa
whom Subpoena has been issued. Mr..
D1nford being sick, was not present in COM
mittee yesterday.
TO.day's Proceedings.
GIN. b. F. BUTLER ON THE STAND.
The House Committee on Expenditures In
the War department met this morning at
lib o'cl ock.
Gen. Il. f. Butler, sworn:-The attention OF
the witness was directed TO the dispatch OF
Friday last to the New York Ereaing 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 TOP
A. really cannot say, sir. / have spoken
of the matter prtInarially to Mr.. DanfOrd OF
the committee. / have not spoken on the
subject TO the correspondent OF the New York
bUeniag Post. He WIS present at some OF the
conversations have had with Mr.. DaDfori.
had gentleman investigating the matter of
a law suit in which was counsel, aud after
bis investigation he came to me in New
York and said he had been told by one per-
SOD, who was Informed by another that she
KNEW OF tnIfO PERSON WHO WAS present
when so, 900 was paid over to Mrs. Bowers
said to have been paid by Mr.. Pendleton. /
said: "Can You get at that person" He seid,
''Yes." l said: 81 think you had better do
| so and probe ii TO the bottom. Can't you 10
| 1t row. 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 tn Washington and
went back to New York on Wednesday.
| sail: Are you going back about that mat
| teI?'' He said: Yes" L said: IF you need
my presence telegraph me and will come
over" On Thursday he sent me
A CIPHER TELEGRAM
sayiDg:-'The parties whom L was to m Get
left New York for New Orleans on Tuesday
night" Under those circumstances / COM
munlcated the Information to Mr.. DanfOrd,
as have told them TO the committee. i said
1t is evident that somebody has been tam
perlng with those parties to send them away
SO suddenly. / said II you can get your com
mittee to issue a summons, and will get the
Sergeant-at-Armst 10 deputiZe q man will
name to 60 to New Orleans, think they can
be caught. This conversation with Mr.. DAN
ford think was last Friday evening. / have
not seen Mr.. Danford since. j have no objec-
tion TO giving the names OF the party in pri
Na.e 10 the committee.
q. Who was your informant?