The New York herald., 1876-03-22
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON March 21, 1875
THE WAR DEPARTMENT INvEsTIGATIoN-EvANs
VERSION OF THE PURCHASE OF THE FORT
SILL TRADEnsHIPs
John s. Evans testified at length concerning his
leadership at Fort Sill Havingreceived q number OF
recommendations of officers OF the post he came to
Washington for the purpose OF obtaining the place.
He introduced to the Secretary OF War by Gepera
Rice Iowo, and subsequently tho Secretary informed
him that he had promised Fort Sill a friend OF his c.
Marsh. Tho witness laid his recommendations before
the Secretary who stated thorc great number of
applicants, none OF whom he knew personally He
mentioned to the Secretary that all his interests were at
Fort sin, having previously been engaged in trading
there, and he asked the Secretary whether there was
any possibility OF making arrangement for copart
nership with Marsh when the Secretary said Marsh
would oc in Washington tho next day. He afterward
saw Mr. Marsh, who said ho preferred sell rather
than enter into copartnershp, charging $50 900
year for the trading privileges Fort Sill Tho witness
objected to so large a sum, when Marsh reduced
to $4,000 They went TO Now York together
Subsequently the amount reduced TO $l2 900
year. Tho Witness to protect his interests In coun-
try far remote from the States compelled agree
to Marsh's terms The witness showed General Grier-
the post his agreement with Marsh and he also
was in the fall OF 1870 The witness said he paid Con-
eral Rice, OF Iowa, $1,000 for introducing him to tho
Secretary OF War He thought this was enough,
though Rico wanted $500. In making the contract
Marsh told the witness he would be the only trader at
the post, and that all others would DO removed Ono
OF the Inducements offered by Marsh for entering into
tho contract that the witness should DO protected
hc supposed through tho influence Of tho Secretary OF
War, and he had been protected since. Tho wit
wished to deny published statement OF Captain
Robinson that he paid SIS 900 the Secretary OF War;
and that Dent and he connived at the matter Thero
foundation for the report. J. c. Dent was the
brother-n-aw OF the President
n. W. Choar said that he had introduced General f.
W. Rice TO Mr. Evans in 1870 He did so because hc
believed Rice to be friend OF the Secretary OF War;
the two being from tho same town and having served
In the army together Rice's reputation was good.
The witness received no money for tho introduction.
THE Chairman OF the committee having received
letter from a man named Ed Mccoy, residing at
McCoy's Station, Ohio, preferring charge against
Senator Hitchcock, OF Nebraska. In relation post
tradcrshps Senator Hitchcock invited to appear
before tho committee but appeared from his
under oath that he promised leadership d.
d. Franklin, whom he did not know, or to anybody
else, and that the charge entirely false.
WHAT THE DISTINGUISHED REPUBLICAN LAW
YER, BENJAMIN =. BUTLER, KNOWS OF THE
PENDLEToN .scANDAL-wIrYEssEs THAT HAVE
GONE TO NEW ORLEANS.
General b. r. Butler was before the Committee on
Expenditures in the War Department this morning. in
obedience TO summons. The chairman OF the commit
tee called attention to the telegram In the New York
Evening Post Of Friday last In which is stated that
Appointment republican lawyer had taken much inter-
in what known as the Beknap scandal so far
as 10 related TO Mr.. Pendeton He asked General
Butler whether he the gentleman TO whom allusion
made. Tho General replied he could tell The
chairman asked him whether he had any Information
relating TO Mr. Pendlcton, and whether he had COM
municated with any the subject The General
replied he had only hcarsay information. lie had
spoken principally TO member OF this committee
Mr. Daniordl thinking that what no told him might
be Of use. The chairman said II was alleged in tho
telegram that Treasury draft for $50 o0O made pay
able the National Park Bank OF New YORK, was
endorsed by pendcton and the money. aftcr passing
through the hands OF two persons, was paid over 10
Mrs Bowers IN person In that city The General re-
piled he had gentleman making investigation as
10 tho facts in New York. TO be used in Law SUIT In
which the General counsel Amer the invcstiga-
ton the gentleman came 10 him and informed him that
he was told by one person that another person knew
about the payment OF money and that she present
when the $50 900 paid TO Mrs Bowers said TO
from Mr. Pendeton The General said 10 his inform
anti
"Csn you get at the pcrsonsi'
The answer eyes "
This was week ago Saturday. The General lert for
Washington Saturday night Tho General further
said TO HIM
''You had better probe the matter TO the bottom.
II what you state is fact, II ought
TO be known. This informant made arrangement TO
meet the party supposed 10 possess tho Information
This on the next Wednesday. The General told
him that n there anything require his presence
New York he would 60 ththor being tclcgraphed
on Thursday his informant teegraphed in cipher that
the party whom he 10 meet had cft New York for
New Orleans the previous Tuesday night together
with the other persons possessed OF the Information
Under these circumstances, knowing that Mr. Bass,
member OF tho committee, was H. and no, being
we'll acquainted with all the members OF tho
Committee, and he communicated such Information as
no had to Mr. Dsnford, OF the committee, perhaps
more eztensO than tho present occasion Tho
General said to Mr. Danford u cviden, that
body had been iampering with the parties By sending
them New Orleans suddenly and no also said 10
Mr. panford-
'1f you can get a subpoena from your committee in
blank, TO be filed up pryaicy-wthout names getting
into newspapers-and TO be served by confidential
deputy Of the sergeantatArms, whom should name,
I thought the parties, who wcro we'll known TO me,
could be caught. reiraincd from telling names, be-
cause twelve nftccn gentlemen connected with tho
press would have published them all tho Unlted
states"
Q Have you any objection TO state to the COMMITTEES
the names OF the partles' A. Not a: all
o Have you any objection 70 stating the OF The
person who save yOu the names Of We s--...- 49,