The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-04-08
Gen. Meigs OH the way TO Meet Bel
knap.

WASHINGTON, April david Web
ster, of Concord, n. H., testified that be
came to Washington about the 18th
OF March, 1874, to sell moth extermina-
tor, made by HIM. He went with Aus
lin ]. Pike, a member of Congress, from
N. H., to Gen. Meigs, Quarter Master
Generals, who refused to have anything
to do with it. Afterwards witness got
Representatives Parker, Cragin and
Wadleigh, to write letter to Meigs,
whereupon Meigs agreed to test the mer-
its of the thing. The preparation Was
tested and approved by Capt. Rogers, Of
quartermasters department. Witness
then went back to Meigs, who told him
he should have the contract. Meigs ask
ed him the price and what the govern
ment would want. Witness said ne did
not know, but would not require the gov.
ernment to pay for moro than was used.
Witness afterwards stated the price by
letter Meigs then decided to use it, and
then asked him what benefit it would be,
Witness answered, il will kill your
moths, Gen. Meigs said, but how much
will you give mo if l put it in
general Use. Witness answered not
damned cent, General. Witness said
General Meigs gave him to understand
that Cowles d Co., who were furnishing
the moth exterminator were paying him
part OF the proceeds Witness said that
he met man yesterday near Judiciary
square, who told him he would do better
not to 60 before the committea In the
mans hand were two one hundred dol
lar bills. He did not know the man, but
told him he was going TO tell the truth
to the committee and did not want any
money. The man turned
and walked of rapidly
Witness followed him to see where he
went, but could not walk last enough.
Witness had not paid money to any 9th.
Ger, or been asked for any except by
Meigs. Witness presented number OF
letters t. corroborate his testimony. He
had never received any order from Meigs
for moth cxterminator except one for one
hundred dollars worth. Witness refused
to furnish that amount unless he could be
assured of larger orders, on the ground
that to fill the order would cost moro
than it would come to, but he offered to
furnish it for nothing, provided be be
allowed to pack it IN the clothing him
self. Gene.al Meigs has been summoned
to appear before the Committee.
Gen. Meigs' Testimony.
QuartermssLer.G General Meigs testified
that the statements of David Webster,
this morning. to the effect that he sought
An interest in his moth exterminator, by
a suggestion OF any kind that could be
turned into such suspicion, were abso-
lutely false. He SAID he never 'old Web
ster that the government was swl: died
out Of large amounts, because the process
then in use was worthless, That he had
never asked him what benefit the con-
tract would oe 10 him; inst be had never
asked him how much he would give him
,the witness.) He had always considered
Webster, like many laventsrs, crazy on
the subject of his preparation TOR the ex,
termination OF moths. dc had considered
him honest but rather light in tho head j
never inquired into his character. wit
ness corroboratcd generally the other
statements OF Webster from the record,
but pronounced his charges false IN every
respect, and the creation of very active
and imaginative brain. The wit
ness was asked whether he was the
means of the adoption Of George w.
Cowles Il Coz, process for e1terminating &
moth. He replied he had opposed its
adoption, even alter the board ot army
officers had recommended its adoption,
but finally yielded to the accumulation
of the testimonials in its favor. When
asked by whose influence it had been
KEEP, in use, he replied that 6. W. Brcgs
and Don Piatt were very active IN Inc
matter Witness said Cowles process is
rot now in use