The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-09
GOVERNOR HENDRICKS DENIES.
An Emphatic Contradiction Of the Corrupt
Mule Claim Story.
MIR. HENDERSON'S STATEMENT.

Governor Hendricks, the candidate for Vice Presi-
dent the democratic ticket arrived in this city last
evening with his wife from Saratoga, his way to
Ixslanapos a reporter Of the HERALD called upon
HIM at his hotel, and although the Governor in
the best OF spirits he declined to talk about the
paign or abou. tho prospects Indiana for. demo-
cratic victory in October. 81 have been away from
home for time" said he, 'and would prefer not
to talk at any length yet the situation. although
have not the slightest doubt that Indiana will 80
democratic at the next election"
THE sULE CASE
The reporter then spoke to him concerning the
Washington despatch in the HERALD yester-
day, which stated that Western paper had
made "a serious charge against hum The
Governor looked very much surprised. and said:-"I
really do not know what you refer to; have not read
any such DESPATCH has any person called my aten
ton TO it.
The reporter then showed him the despatch which
reads foows:-
charge brought against Mr.. Hendricks in West
paper OF being concerned attorney agent in
lobbying a war claim through the War Department,
and when unsuccessful there in the Senate, Will, he
Senator, attracts attention here as II is founded
his own letters and on evidence in the department.
and on cs 1t is believed by persons to
be serious perhaps to cause the withdrawal OF
Mr. Hendricks from the democratic ticket Mr. Ortiz
and curiously enough for similar reason There are
democrats here who would not regard 1t as great mis-
fortune IL MI Hendricks should DO compelled to with
draw.
The following is the CHARGE
A correspondent of the Cincinnati Gascts accuses
Mr.. Hendricks OF having been engaged the prose-
cuor OF u mule claim against the government, which,
beng rejected in 1863 by the claim
ant Henderson, cousin Of Mr.. Hendricks
Hendricks first presented this claim to the War Depart
ment in March, 1867 as that OF constituent, when
1t rejected. He next brought 1t before
Board of Claims, which again rejected it.
Finally, he brought It before the Senate in January
1869, he then being a senator7-that is to say
he wrote out Hendcrson's Petition signed 1t IN Hen
dersons name and then, as though ashamed
or conscious OF wrong, caused caused to DC
lie left the Senate no still continued to press
II. An examination of the Senate flies shows that
Hcnderson's petition is in Hendricks own writing in
GLIDING the signature of Henderson, from whom h0
must have had power of attorney. or course
such action is contrary to law, aud would: had
it been known at the time. have subjected him
to severe penalties. Finally in December, 1870
he made another attack on the War Depart
being allowed July, 1884, and just before the allow
ance OF the notorious claim to Mr. Pendeton which
caused much scandal some months ago. All this is
shown by copies OF documents now Oh file in the de-
partments.
After reading this the Governor made the following
statement
GOVERNOR HENDRICKS STATEMENT
As to this statement that this claim had been
Jected in 1868, l have recollection Of Its
ever having been rejected, except that II
dlsailowed by the quartermasters 1t Is impossible
for me to recollect very accurately the particulars
! suppose MIR. Henderson sent me his assignment of
the claim, which filed with tho other papers in the
case in the War Department l do not recollect
what action then taken on it. The claim
was not allowed ut that time. / think that Mr. Hem
derson aferward wrote to me 10 have the claim pre-
scented to Congress, and think wrote his petition for
him. l do not recoect what, If any, action was
taken in the Senate upon II, but suppose
it was referred to the appropriate committee
had no interest in the claim whatever, and
thought OF being employed us attorney. Such
thing not suggested to me- / thought
the claim q just one, and that Mr. Hen
derson, the assignee, ought to be paid
had the impression that he was the assignee for the
benefit of the creditors and think stated to the
War Department but do not know how got that i'm
preston. The claim for ninety mules,
as can recolcct, which had been furnished upon
a contract for larger number and after
that contract made the Quartermaster at
either Cincinnati Indianapolis charged tho
made Of buying from the contract system and
went into the open market and made pur-
chases at higher prices, which it would
he impossible for these parties to purchase
within the price that they were to receive to
obtain credit to carry the contract put. Tho ninety
mules had been received and 10 part paid
them; but thought, under tho circumstances,
it was not equitable to enforce the forfeiture
contained the contract az their inabil-
ity to comply was the result. OF the change
In tho mode of buying by the quartcrmastcr.
That is the understanding hsd OF the case,
and IL upon that equity that thought
it should DO paid ! knew nothing further
OF the until year two aftcrward
when Mr. Henderson consulted OF my law partners,
who advised him that the claim ought to be
allowed as l understand, upon the legal ground
that the government had no, taken the steps
according the contract enforce tho forfeiture OF
feitcd aud think a brief was prepared
by him. but OF that am positive. That
was the FIRST employment that myself
or our firm had in tho Cease The claim WIS
subsequently allowed that ground and upon the
ground | thought the equity rested upon. Mr..
Henderson and have long been personal friends
and we are relatives. What did during my term
Senator was done because requested to
present the claim and because thought
the claim just. and with no thought
of any compensation OF any personal interest what
ever In the claim. frequently, when was a Senator,
fled CLAIMS for persons and verbally writing,
made suggestions concerning them which deemed
proper, but never as attorney.
MIR. HESpgRsoS's STATEMENT
Mr. Henderson who stepping at the Same
hotel as Mr.. Hendricks, was sent for by
him after he had made his state
mont Mr.. Henderson, being introduced to the re-
porter and hearing Governor Hendricks statement
read, corroboratcd IL in every particular.