The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-03-22
POST TRADERSHIPS.
Evans, Marsh's Partner, on the Stand.
He Paid Gen. Rice $1,000 for Introduce
ing Him to the Secretary Of War.
Senator Hitchcock Says HG Had Nothing to
Do With the TradNrShipS.

WASHINGTON, March 21.-John S. Evans
testified at length concerning his leadership at
Fort Sill. Having received number of rec
concentrations of the officers of the post. he
came to Washington for the purpose Of obtain
ing the place. He was introduced to the Sec
rotary of War by Gen. Rice of Iowa, and sub.
sequently the Secretary informed him he had
promised Fort Sill to friend of G, 2. Marsh.
Witness laid his recommendations before the
Secretary, who stated that there was a great
number of applicants, none of whom he knew
personally. He mentioned TO the Secretary
that all his interests were at Fort Sill, having
previously been engaged trading there, and be
asked the Secretary whether there was any
Marsh, when the Secretary said that Marsh
would be in Washington the next day. He af-
forwards saw Marsh, who said that he pre-
ferred to sell out rather than enter into a Co
partnership. charging $4,000 year for the
trading privilege at Fort Sill
Witness objected TO- so change sum when
Marsh reduced it to $4,000. They went to
New York together. Subsequently the amount
was reduced to $4,000 year. Witness to pro-
tect his interests in country far remote from
the states was compelled to agree to Marsh's
terms. Witness showed Gen. Grierson at the
post bis agreement with Marsh and he also
showed it to Capt. Walsh and Lieut.. Pratt.
This wasIin the fall of 1870.
Witness said he paid Gen. Rice of Iowa
$1,000 for an introduction to the Secretary of
War. He thought this was enough though
Rice wanted $500. In making the contract
Marsh told witness he would be the only trader
at the post and all others would be removed.
One of the inducements;otfered by Marsh for en-
tering into the contract was that witness should
be protected, he supposed through the Secre-
tary of War, and he had been protected ever
since. Witness wished to deny published
statement of Capt. Robinsonthat he paid $15.-
600 to the Secretary of War and that Dent &
Go. connived the matter. There was no foun-
dation for the report. j. G, Dent was a broth
er-in-law of the President.
M. w. Chollar said he had introduced Gen.
e. w. Rice to Mr.. Evans in 1870. He did so
because he believed Rice was friend of the
Secretary of War, the two being from the same
town and having served in the army together.
Rice's reputation was good. Witness received
no money for the introduction.
Senator Hitchcock testified that he never
promised a leadership to b. d. Franklin or to
any body else, as was charged by man ma med
Edward Mccoy.
Hawkins Taylor, formerly of Iowa, but now
a resident of this city, was asked bis occupa-
ton, to which he replied anything that would
pay:
The chairman said---In other words lobby
list.
Ayes.
Witness then gave an account of the lobby
operations In the first place DR.. f. G. HI.
Bradford wanted post leadership and the
influence of the Maine delegation with the
exception of Morrill, was secured tor that pur.
pose, together with that Of Mr. Gloves, at that
time delegate from New Mexico. DR.. Brad.
ford paid witness 800 for his services Brad.
ford sold the leadership for $500 and did a
good many things he should not have done.
advised the Secretary to dismiss Bradford
which he did. In reply to question witness
said, eff Bradford had paid me $1,000 1 woulc
have given that advice to the Secretary"
Witness mentioned several other cases il
which he had procured traderships for fees.