The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-04-13

WASHINGTON, April 5,-Secretary Chan
dler this morning before giving his testi'
monv before the War Expenditure Com
mittee, carefully read over Bells testi'
monv. which had been written out 10y
the stenographer. Bill sat beside Mr.
Clymer.
Mr.. Clymer-Mr. Secretary, have you
been able to get through?
Mr.. Chandler-I have read all that il
necessary.
BELLS COMMISSION.
Secretary Chandler was then sworn
He identified the commission of Bell as
Pension Office agent He stated thai
Bells name was first mentioned to hin
in Cabinet meeting by the President
Chandler had discharged the Chief Of
his Secret Service, and asked them tc
help him in procuringa good detective.
A FORMER SCOUT.
The President said that Bell had been
a scout for him and was a pretty bright
fellow. Bell called once or twice every
week for several weeks, and one day,
when General Hurlburt was in converse
ton with him, Bell sent in his card, and
Hurlburt said, "Bell is very smart fell
low. He was a spy for me during the
war for seven months while serving in
the rebel army"
Chandler said, eff he could keep his
neck outof the halter 50 long, I'll try
him" He had been
UNFAvoRABLY IMPRESSED
with Bells appearance; but this, in ad-
dition to the card given him by the Pres
ident, induced him to try Bell for a
month. He could not remember whether
it was he or the Attorney General who
got the card, for he (Chandler) was un-
able to find it. He dismissed Bell be-
cause the President told him that he was
convinced Bell was scoundrel, and that
Bell had given out that he was engaged
in procuring evidence in the
BARCoCK CASE,
one way or the other, Chandler did not
remember which. Bell was appointe d
January and discharged February 10
being, therefore, in service forty-One days
The Chief of the Secret Service had de-
clined to pass Bells account, and he
(Chandler) told him that Bell should not
be paid until he gave proof that he had
done service for the Bureau. Bell, as he
afterward heard, went to Assistant Sec
retary CoYan, deceived him, and got
Cowan to sign Bells account.
Mr.. Clymer, prompted by Bell, asked
him if he did not sign it.
Mr.. Chandler said he signed the
voucher, but he never read it. He did
not remember, he said in answer to an
other question prompted by Bell, that
Bells account was taken to him by a
special messenger,
HOW BELL WAS PAID.
Mr. Clymer, prompted by Bell, con-
tinued Chandler's examination in regard
to Bells payment. Chandler admitted
that Bell was probably paid for one
month in advance by January s. Bell
showed, Mr.. Clymer said, that he had
not only been paid in advance for Janu-
ary but also for February, and that Bell
reimbursed the department for the period
after the 10th, when he was discharged
He did not remember ever speaking with
them about his services for General Bah
cock, or even speaking with Babcock or
Luckey about it. He could not tell
whether Bells account would show the
time of his leaving New York or return
ing hither when he went there for Bah
cock.
Mr.. Clymer asked why Bell had no
written instructions to do Pension Office
work until February 49, which was only
three days before his dismissal.
Mr.. Chandler said he did not know.
Mr. Clymer-If he obtained no in
structions for doing any work for the
Pension Office until the 18th of Febru-
ary, and his account should show that he
had been previously to Now York for
Babcock and was paid for that trip,would
that not be presumptive evidence that he
was sent there by somebody at govern
ment pay
Mr.. CHANDLER GROWS NERVOUS,
Mr.. Chandler asked to have the ques-
ton stated over again, and then said ner-
vously, "Yes, sir; that would be pre-
sumptive evidence"
Mr.. Clymer-Are there no other clerks
in your department who we're employed
for General BabcockF 7
Mr.. Chandler-No, sir.
Mr., Clymer-Have any employees in
your department subscribed for his de-
Tense?
Mr.. Chandler-No, sir.
A BANK CHECK FOR BABCoCK.
Mr.. Clymer-Have you ever?
Mr.. Chandler-Yes, sir; after his ac-
quittal sent him check.
Mr.. Clymer-For how much?
Mr.. Chandler-For $1,000.
Mr.. Danford then read to him BelPs
testimony as to Chandler's completely in
his employment, and the Secretary de-
nounced it all as false. Assistant Secre-
tary Governs card, on which Bells ac-
count was paid, was submitted The card
says that Bell was legitimately employed
for the Pension office. Mr.. Chandler re-
peated that he knew from nobody that
Bell was employed for Babcock, unless
La Barnes, the Chief of the Secret Ser
vice told him, unless Bell, after his
account had been adjusted, informed him.
That might have been the case, but he
did not remember it. He denied that
Luckey eVer spoke to him about it.
Mr.. Chandler explained his sending
the thousand dollar check in this way.
Ex-Secretary Belknap wrote to him that
Babcock's trial had cost him four thou
sand dollars, and that Babcock was a