The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-05-13
Baker not sweet .m Ada.

OT. AUL, may H. tHe flOHcCT
Press and Tribune this morning publish.
es a report OF an Interview with Gen.
j. II. Baker, formerly Commissioner of
Pensions contradicting in several impor.
tant particulars the testimony of Miss
Ada Sweet, pension agent at Chicago re-
garding his connection with the settle
ment of the $4,000 deficit. The follow
ing conversation took place.
Reporter Miss Sweets testimony
would seem to imply that you were privy
to the arrangement between Mr.. Blakely
ard Miss Sweet.
Baker-Nothiug of the kind, never
had any knowledge oi any arrangement
of any kind between the parties touch
ing this whole matter, until some months
after Miss Sweet assumed the duties Of
her Office, when an apparent deficit WAS
found in her accounts VI 1000, and
through regular official channels she was
duly notified Of the facts, when she noti
fed me by personal letter of the
facts in the case. About the same
time Blakeiy, by personal let
ter, notified of the situstion.
| concluded that this matter was very i'm.
portant, and that | would go to Chicago
myself and look after it, and did So At
the earliest possible moment Shen then
recounted the general history ofthe case.
She seemed to have gotten herself volun-
tarily into the situation. | told her
promptly that she must cease paying
any money TO any one on this account,
this she gladly promised.
Reporter The newspapers version OF
her testimony alleges that yourself and
Mr.. Blskely appeared in her office one
morning after your return from Mime
sofa, and demanded Immediate pay
ment Of this apparent deficit.
Gen. Bakar- She bad been officially
notified from the office before knew any
thing of the matter whatever. This de-
felt must be made good; that she could
not evade carefully explained TO her
in her Office when on my way to
Minnesota; when returned she
was prepared and did make It good. |
never went u Blakeley's other office for
any purpose whatever, and never talked
with her in Blakeley s presence touching
the matter. All the conversation con-
cerning it took place in her private office,
with closed doors. treated her with the
utmost kindness and consideration, as she
herself has gwen me in writing the most
annie assurance of. was Miss Sweets
true friend. both in the matter OF her ap-
pointment and in adjusting this whole
affair, and did all for her that could
be done within the limits Of my
official duty. think Miss Sweet an
excellent woman and | always took the
deepest interest, Ms did my entire once
in making her position pleasant for her
Her father and | were friends. She
never received anything but kindness NJ
my hands. In reply 70 question: OF
what foundation was there Tor an In
.inuation contained in the reppr. -tba,
Blackiey sought 70 ase your oflicisI
power 10 screen his acts, Geoeral BAke'
"A reported n replying tina, Mr.. Biskely
md himseif hsd been strong friends
for afteen Yeas, but he had never had
. business transaction with him Of any
kind, nor did Blukely ever ask him u
use his official position for hs (BlaSeleys
personsl purposes. General Baker con
ued-Nor did i know anything Ailect
ing the integrity Of his administration o.
the pension agency nor were any charge
made affecting his fidelity h
the discharge Of his duty while
was Commissioner of Pensions. ThH
matter between himself and Mis-
Sweet. OF which l knew nothing untl
long after it va. accomplished, which
fact is all that can affect his character n
public officer which ever came 10 m,
ear.
Rsporter-Wbst shout this Nj. Camp
hell mentioned in Mis- Sweets testl
mony7
Gen. Bsker-I know bo,hing aeou
him. Mi.s Sxe.t told me she vas pay
ing money 10 some Mr.. Campbell, and
told her she must quit snd not pay ..
other dollar, and she tod me she wouE