The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-24
R0BES0N'S SIDE PARTNER.
MR. X. q. CITTELL DESCRIBED As
HIS Confidence MAN.
Live Oak swift's Testimony Before the Ma !
val COMMUNICATED bV Cnttell to the Tune
ofnbout Thiriy-scveu thousand Dollars.

Live Oak swift's Testimony Before the Na-
val Commiitce- Bed bs Cntteii to the Tune
ofnbout Thiriy-scveD Thousand Dollars.
WASHINGTON, May 23.-The House Naval
Committee to-day examined an old contractor,
W. Swift Of New Bedford, Mass, who for years
has furnished live oak timber to the navy wards.
Nj. Swift Is Democrat, aud during the war
svmpathized with the South. by which he lost
his hold on the Navy Department. His evidence
to-day showed up l.. g. Cattell, the silent partner
Of Secretary Robes on, In the new and unenviable
character OF confidence man. Mr.. Swift had
for personal friend the late Congressman Buff
nnton OF Massachusetts, and through him he
found that ho could offer bids for furnishing
live oak without regard to his Southern symps-
thes during the rebellion.
L. @. Cattell, knowing that Swift was the only
party ablo to supply the department with timber
at the lowest rate, he having the stock, implo-
ments. and machinery already on hand, went
to Swift, and told him his brother, A. g. Cattell,
and himself intended to compete for the con-
tract, and had already barRained for large
tract Of timber lard In North Carolina. II, how
ever, Swift would agree TO give them per cent
aye on the contract, the Cattells would not
ouly not bid against Swift, but with their power
ful influence with Robeson would secure him
the contract. Mr.. Swift was aware OF the re.
tells, and rather than have hts cattle and
machinery remain idle by failing to get the con-
tr ct, he accepted the offer, as award ed the
&c Sss,sl. as and sai% a%pi:ss ssisi! S
ptyments were ade at different tiufc1y hptil
one day sir. Swift learned that the Clttefls b ad
not been Of the slightest help to him; that Il
-. Satt.l uidn not own an acre ~ OAK timber
land, and that he had been victimized to tue
amount OF nearly ssS,UOO by a party that he tes-
tiied Secretary Robeson told him was utterly
poweress to help or injure him. Tbereupon he
At mad N..N ..Ff -
tells and, save that tho department Is fully
stocked With I've oak timber, aud no more was
needed after 1874, hs did not know that there
was the slightest change In his relations with
the Navy Department.
Hobeson said to Mr.. Swift. and how he came to
speak Of the money tribute to the Cattclls. lie
| explained that he was emboldened to this step
whose prominence as Republican member OF
| the House, and whose character being above re-
pfosch, enabled him to speak fearlessy, and he
| thought It would be better to FIRST acauaint Mr.
hobeson oil the fact before making further use
dn oi we n,orms'Sni nr sw. ssa ,nst ho1s
reassured him that Cattell's representations
| were all misrepresentations, that he had suf-
| manner he complained Of
In answer to questions whether he had not
| contributed hberally for election purposes. the
| witness replied that he had. Beiug further
that be contributed $1,000 to secure the ecc-
tion OF James Buchanan, So to aid the Demo
Gratis Ht the last election IN New Hampshire, a
Ike sum 10 aid IN the election OF Gov. ilOe1 In
New York, and yer, Iberaly In the campaign
Of Gov. GastoD OF Mas -ach usetts. At this po-Dt
the CT arm All thought he had been sufficiently
explicit, and did not ask what amount be con
triOuted for county and city elections In Massa-
| chusetts.
| Ii is understood that OF the $500 900 the Cat
tells have received by playing the confidence
| game on contractors, kobeson Will declare he
has never received a cent, ina that their repre-
sentatons were lse Imp positions, wholly ground
less and purely deceptive, which testimony. 1t Is
said. MIR. kobeson will have tue opportunity Of
| giving before Grand Jury, before whlcl his
thisptis uidse et5aVs. MIL se- -prescnted for ol-