The Portland daily press., 1876-03-27
POST-TRADERSHIPS.
The Charge Against General Rey-
nOndS
More About the Method by Which Posts
We're Secured.

WASHINGTON, March 25.-The committee on
war expenditures met today, when Gen. McCook
appeared and explained his former testimony
about house having been presented to Gen.
Reynolds by army contractors at San Antonio.
he bad no personal feeling 10 the matter, hav-
ing always liked Gen. Reynolds, but his report
as Inspector of military posts in Texas was
made in order that the quartermas, ers depart
ment IN Texas might be investlga ed, there hav-
ing been serious charges IS to its conduct of af
fairs. In his former testimony he said there
was meeting of the citizens of San Antouio
TO raise $4,000, and that 1t was supposed that
such contribution would bring the headquarters
there. He did not know whether the money
was raised or not.
John a. Charles testified that he supplied
goods to Durfee & Peck. When thai firm was
removed from several posts he applied fol, but
failed to ootaln license as an Indian trader.
In order 10 save bis interests be called on Pres
ident Grant TO help him, but the President
said be had fixed the thing and was not going
to change In making this reply, the Presi-
dent bit one end of his cigar as if be did not
like witness bit. (Laughterl Witness cali
ed on the commissioner of Indian affairs about
the reservation of his license but the commits
sloner said, You understand this matter ss
well as do" The Secretary OF War was a per-
sonal friend of his, but said he could not help
him in the Indian leadership matter. Witness
also corloborated the testimony given with re-
gard to Orville Grant having obtained some of
the posts.
This afternoon, before the Belkuap investi-
eating committee, b. Gordon Danielsltestifed
that In looking for business he had his atten-
ton called to the leadership at Fort Stanton
New Mexico, goods to the amount of $125, 600
being sold there annually. He was Instrument
tai in having trader there named Murphy re-
moved and man named Bliss appointed. Tie
way he procured the appointment was this: He
went to man named Alexander T. Grey,
clerk in the Attorney Generals Office, who was
friend of Senator Carpenter, and told him
that Bliss had agreed to make the witness an
equal. partner with himself, and to give $4,000
for the position, and witness promised Grey
that if be could obtain the place he would see
that $4,000 were paid him. Accordingly Grey
saw Carpenter, who had the appointment made
as personal favor to Grey, the latter SO repre-
sented to witness.
The commission was sent to Bliss, but Bliss
Iepudlated the arrangement, and witness had
him removed in consequence. Then man
named Charles Tracy said he would give wit.
ness $4,000 if he would procure the place for
MN. so witness applied to lobbyist named
Gloss to transact the business for him, and
Gloss said be could operate through Senator
Sawyer, as Sawyer was his personal friend.
Witness promised Gloss $500 if he should sue
coed. Tracy's bargain with witness was to
give him $4,000, $500 of which ouly be paid.
Gloss lest his fee. When Tracy ''went back''
On witness, the latter said Tracy must go, aud
he did SO, through the influence of Sawyer with
the Secretary of War.
witness never held post-tradership, aud |
what be had above stated was all he ever had
10 do with them, Witness testified that most |
tradershps were procured from tine to time |
Tor money. A trader at Fort Bascom informed |
MN that be had given $1,000 for his pl Co. He |
nau neatd that John Dent, brother-n law of |
the President, controlled four or five such an |
pointments. Witness was asked by Mr. Dan |
ford whether be thought such business as he |
had been engaged 10 was honorable Witness |
replied that he thought his business with Bliss |
was honorable, as he never LOOKED on post |
tradershIps in political light,
Two other witnesses were examined, G. w, |
Felt and S. Cheney, who testified that they |
paid nothing whatever for their post-trader- |
ships. The latter said that when he was |
trader a Fort Davis he paid 800 for political |
purposes to Senator Harlow.
LOUISVILLE, KY, March 25-Gen. James |
A. Ekin says that Gen. McCo0k never stated |
to him officially or otherwise that Thomas r. |
Cheney, chief clerk in his Office, had received
orlbe from contractor for fraudulently ap ]