New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-01
THE TESTIMONY OF Mr.. BELL.

THE TESTIMONY OF Mr.. BELL.
WASHINGTON, March 31.-The Committee on Ex-
penditures in the War Department took the
testimony to-day of c. s. Bell. But first, Mt
SAWYER ex-Assisant Secretary of the Treasury, was
heard for a few moments. He denied that he had
ever carried any memoranda of b. Gordon Daniels to
the Secretary of War upon which his commission as
post-trader was revoked; nor had Daniels any ar
rangement with man named Tracy concerning the
payment Of money for the post. Mr.. Sawyer said he
never knew that there was money bargain between
Tracy and Daniels until informed 10y the Secretary
of War He then told Tracy that he would have
Daniels removed, which was done.
APPLICATION FOR sUHEBsnIP.
CS Bell test fled as follows: reside in Jackson,
Miss in June, 1872 l think, came 10 Washington
TO apply for post-tradership i'll Texas Fort DAVIS,
OF any other post l could get had recommends
tions from many officers of the army, including one
from Gen. REYNOLDS, under whom had served in
1869 and 1870, in the secret service, IN hunting
down some Of the murderers of the Freedman's Blu
Teau and army officers; when came to Washington
saw the Secretary of War and told him that
wished to secure post-tradership; had in my hands
number of recommendations from different officers
for services rendered during the and afterward
he seemed considerably offended at my calling on
him on that business aud said if he had known that
that was the only object of visit he should not
have seen me. told him il would not take me but
very brieI tima To get out of his Office. l went
ont aud had got tC the further end of the building
when young man came out somewhat in hurry
Iassurned FIAT he belOngedtO the Department from
the fact that he had no hat on. He said that the
Secretary desired to see me- and went back. When
i went in, the Secretary told me that he had been
greatly annoyed by various applicants for these
posts: DO not remember exactly what shape the
conversation took, but / know he asked what the
post was worth. ] told him l did not know. lie
said " Is 1t worth go, 600 yearp / supposed he
was merely asking me rs matter of opinion as to
the value of such posts there, and told him sup
posed it was worth that. Said he, Can you pay
$1,000 yeari" There was very little more said
and went away.
@. In that conversation did you distinctly under
stand him to ask you TO pay him $4,000 for itf A.
Well owing to the nature of the conversation that
occurred before went out, rather thought he was
trying to trap me, to get me into some sort Of an
offer perhaps: did not choose TO go any further
with it, and let the matter drop; had no direct
recommendations for Fort Davis, did l make
any application IN writing; had never met the
Secretary previously, and | thought the converse
ton was rather strange; did not think from the
nature OF the service had rendered ought 10 pay
anything for thing of that kind, if that wa, what
he meant, at the time considered it an attempt
TO entrSii me on account Of the sharp words that
had passed between US.
BELL DETECTIVE BY GRANTS REQUEST.
@. What business are you engaged in nowf
A. am on detective work not at present for the
Government.
Q. You were detective and scout for years in
Texasi A. Yes, Sir; have also been acting
special agent of the Internal Revenue Department
! @. You appointed your A. Mr. Chandler.
Q. Have you rendered any recent service in that
Department. A. Not since the 10th of February
Of this year.
Q. Are You personally acquainted with Mr.. Chand-
lerf A. am.
Q. Did he appoint you Of his own motion, and if
not at whose solicitation A. The President of the
United States.
Q. Are you acquainted with him personally A.
Yes, Sir.
@. How long have you known him 7 A. have
served him at intervals since 1862.
@. Had you his recommendation when you went
to the Secretary of War; A. had
Q. Had you Gen. Reynolds'si A. 1 did not ask
any but the Presidents. The recommendation was
of such character that did not think / needed
any other.
Q. Have you got that recommendation of the
President with your A. have not
4 ". Cdn you benu III A. 40 not tnlllk 4 can reach
Ait az present.
Q. What time was it dated' A. The latter part of
December, 1875.
O. thought you said you had it with you when
you went to the Secretary Of War to apply be APP
pointed posttraderS A. had papers from the Presi-
dent then but they did not pertain to that matter;
they were general.
q. Then this Recommendation you now speak of
I was recommendation TO the Secretary Of the In
terror to appoint you as detectivef A. 1t did not
specify that it was general recommendation TO
give lie appointment; it was on a card ] think
At ran something like this Hon. u. Chandler, Sec
Rotary of the Interior: / commend to you the
bearer. &r. G. s. Bell, for an appointment no has
rendered valuable service during the war and
sinceD know 1t covered one full side of the card
and portion of the other handed it to the Secre-
tory OF the Interior; went there a day or two
efterward TO get it and he could not find IT. although
he had very careful search made.
u On that recommendation the Secretary of the
Interior appointed youf A. 1 suppose he did. /
know that the President and Mr. Luckey both smoke
e tS MN personally about appointing received
inc appointment Jan. 3. 1.-The witness produced his
appointment as frst-class clerk in the Pension OF
zee We explained that there was no such oiace as
epeciai Agent under the Interior Department tho