Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-03-09
From the Boston Herald)
THE KENTUCEY RAILROAD CLAIM.


THE KENTUCEY RAILROAD CLAIM.
PendletOn and Clymer in a Bad Fix.
Washington, March 7. The rumors which
have gained such wide circulation connecting the
name of Hon. George H. Pendleton with the pay
ment of a large sum to Mrs Belknap TO secure
favorable action on the claim of the Kentucky
Central Railroad, have resulted from certain de-
velopments made in the course of Clymers in
auiry regarding post traderships. The facts are
of a character to bring deep disgrace upon the
democratic managers of that committee, whatever
the result for Mr.. Pendleton may be. They show
beyond question that Clymer and his associates
not seeking to expose corruption except
where it involved republicans, and that they de-
clined to even 70 through the forms OF even IN
quiring whether certain direct charges made
against of the prominent democratic candi-
dates for the presidency were true.
The Charges Made
are Of a character to demand and inevitably re-
eeive national attention. In brief, they are these
When Mr.. and Mrs. Malca reached Washington
last week, and before the former appeared before
the committee, there was q conference at the Ar
lington between Mrs. Belknap and Mrs. Marsh,
several other persons being present, all being &C
quaintances, and most privy to the facts which
Clymers committee was charged with inquiring
about. At that interview Mrs. Marsh, in talking
of the various transactions of which she knew, al
luded to the statements in circulation in certain
circles in regard to the Pendeton railroad claim.
Mrs. Belknap said that the stories were gross ex
aggerations; and while it had been believed
among some of her friends that
She Received 100000 from that Claim.
she had, in fact obtained only about bali
that amount. The republican members
of the committee knew nothing of this
branch of the subject till last Saturday
night. The first thing Monday, Mr.. Danford
caused a subpoena to be issued for Mrs.
Marsh 'and an officer started yesterday for New
York to serve it; but Mrs. Marsh, having, as is
supposed, had an ntimaton of what was going
on, left for Canada. STILL if ever brought before
the committee, her friends say she will certainly
the course Of MIR. Clymer concerning this matter,
the case, reported by those in a position to
know, is of a character which
The Democratic House Must Take No.
tlce OF,
or stand fully condemned before the country. Mr.
Clymer and Mrs. Marsh, Mrs. Bowers, now Mrs.
Belknap, Hon. George F. Pendeton and others,
made tour of Europe, good part of it, to-
gether. During this trip the whole party became
pretty well acquainted with the main facts thus
far developed, and others of similar character.
When it became known to some who were of this
party, that Mr.. Clymer had determined to bring
Gen. Belknap down, he was.reminded in the most
pointed terms that if he was determined to do this
he conld not decline to bring Pendleton down
too. Mr..
Clymer Constantly Evaded the RespOn.
sibility
by say ing he did not have sufficient data to reach
Mr.. Pendleton. He waSpressed with the counter
statement that Mrs. Marsh would testify to it, and
that he had reasons to know something concern
ing the matter, and that the records of the depart
ments would throw some light on the case. He,
however, refused to 90 into the matter, and the
result was that Mr.. and Mrs. Marsh were allowed
to go without an attempt to ascertain whether
they could throw any light upon the Pendeton
case. These facts have caused belief in some
quarter that it was
To Save Pendleton These Witnesses
Were Allowed to Leave Town,
and that Mrs. Marsh, for the same purpose, was
advis to follow her husband to Canada. For
some reason there has been tor three days past a
noticeable stampede the subject of the nvest-
CATION among prominent Democrats. The reason
was not apparent; but the fact has attracted much
attention. Speaker Kerr has for the past week
been most earnest and emphatic IN his declarations
against the policy OF more Investigations. He has
carried this far to threaten refusal to appoint
such committees if ordered, and the only explana-
ton credited is that it has been ascertained that
Democrats of high position are certain to suffer if
the campaign against corruption goes on. The
record Of
PendletOn's Settlement Of the Kentucky
Central Railroad Claims
is briefly this The road, after having been paid
the usual military rates, filed claim for the diff
ference between these rates and 80 per cent. of
the usual rates to private parties. The amount
was $l4S,553. Secretary Stanton referred it to
Quartermaster- General Meigs, who twice reported
strongly against it, and Stanton refused to pay.
In the fall of 1870, Pendeton wrote to Belknap,
asking another consideration of the case. 1t was
again referred to Gen. Meigs, who recalled and
restated his former motion, and twice again
ported adversely. 1t was then referred to Gen.
Mckee Dunn, Assistant Judge Advocate General,
who decided that
Belknap Had the Right to Reopen the
Case;
that the claim was good one, and that the Third
Auditor should be asked to settle it. Belknap ap
proved this, and requisition warrant was issued
to Pendleton and payment rushed through the
War and Treasury Departments in one day, and
tho whole face Of the claim paid to Pendleton,
June II, 1871.