Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-12-14
A SLY MOVE ON THE SENATE.

The attempt on the Treasury through the
War Department having failed, Mr.. Hendricks
conclued to try the Senate.
On the 22d of January, 1869, Senator Van
Wrinkle presented the petition of one VIM. Hem
derson for compensation for mules furnished the
government. On referring to the files. this is
found to be throughout, signature and all in the
handwriting of Senator Hendricks. Thus his
first step in the case here was the act of O mau
who deemed it best TO cover his tracks.
In thus signing his cousins name,
either Mr.. Hendricks was acting under a power
OF attorney, Ut this was forgery. II be had
power of attorney, then he violating that
statute which imposes as maximum punish
ment a fine Of $40. 600 ana two years imprison-
meut upon any member of Congress who prose-
cutes claims against the United Siites for COM
pensation of any kind. Conviction for such an
otense also disqualihes from holding thereafter
any place OF honor or trust under the govern
ment of the United States 10 this case it Is
possible that the statute OF limitations may save
the Democratic candidate for the second place
OF honor in the nation.
The following is the petition as Mr.. Hendricks
wrote and signed it:
To the Senate and House Of Represenfasi.es-
"The petition Of VIM. Henderson, Of Indianapolis
Indiana shows that In the I56-one smith of Gin
cinna Ohio contracted with the proper officer OF the
Qusrermasters service 10 furnish about 500 mules for
the public service nc liked prce--thst Charles w
Hail. Of Indiauapolis undertook furnish for said
Smith a part of the mules, ana az proceeded
furnish the same TO the proper officers ana did deliver
about ninety, worth at the zgreed price about COO
"The mules 50 furnished have not been paid for be-
cause residue Of the 500 furnished under
afler said contract was made, the Quarernaster at
polls went into the market for the purchase Of
mules At which made Il impossible for COLI
TONER further shows that he Is the assignee Of The
claim for the price Of said ninety mules and he prays
Congress 70 authorize the payment a.. thereof
"WM- HENDERSON,"
At the close of the session at which this
Van Winkle-hendricks petition was presented
the Indiana Senator was succeeded by Mr.. Pratt
The latter took IN the case at the next session.
AS q member OF the Committee on Claims, and
MIR. Hendricks was on hand TO press it, as is
shown by the following letter:
RETIRING FROM the SENATE ME- STICKS TO THE
CLAIM.
"WAsHIsGToS Cry July /, 1870
"DKAR SIR Understanding that the assignment OF
c. W. Hall TO w. Henderson Of the voucher and claim
for ninety mules, pending before the COMMITTEES
OF Claims OF the Senate, has been lost, have the
honor 10 say Nr. Henderson forwarded me the
assignment two three years since, and filed u Ia
the War Department recently examined the pa
uers on the fles of that department anu could not
ind the assignment. but xnow such assignment
made aud hlei-that which filed was letter press
copy. Very respectfully, Il. A. HesDRIcKs"
HENDRICKS AGAIN AT THE WAR OFFICE.
Falling to convince the Senate Committee oil
its business, ex-senator Hendricks, on Decem-
Der 6, 1870 made formal application at the War
Department to have the case agsin presented to
the Secretary of War. This was granted
On the 25'h OF July, 1871, the claim was paid
Hendricks, Hord & Hendricks appearing as the
attorneys.
The history Of this case, set forth at length
in General Dunn'sreviews, is most appropriately
followed in the books Of the department by the
long review and favorable action upon the now
celebrated Democratic case of the Kentucky
Central Railroad.
II Mr. Hendricks accepts, the Democracy will
have a former Senatorial claim agent as it:
candidate for the Vice-Presidency and one
who, if judged ny the spirit of the law, would
now be disqualified from holding any place o.
honor or trust II. v. B.