The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-03-23


Kentucky Central Railroad has the pluck to
file bill in equity against George H. Pende-
ton ct al, calling upon them to accountfor the
$l4S, 900 collected from the Government. it oc-
ours to us that there will be some very interest
ing developmements.
Mr.. Pendleton stands in the position Of an
administrator who collected claim for the
heirs of a decedent and charged them some,
thing like sixty per cent for the service. No
Chancery Court in the world would sanction
such q proceeding. In some Of the States
Of the Union it would be an indictable offence.
He is also the President Of a RAILROAD company
who contracted with himself to collect a claim
of Sl4S, 600, and retained 100000 as q counsel
fee,s WI cthsr tlie claim was Just on fraudulent,
the transaction as far as Mr. Pendleton was con-
cerned was Illegal and immoral, and the $50, 900
which he pocketed could be recovered at the
suit Of the infant Bowler heirs, or any stock
holder in the Kentucky Central Railroad. Mr..
Pendleton's testimony was rather favorable to
Secretary Beknap, but it was most damaging
| to himself lie says that he did not divide his
fee with Gen. Belkpap or any member Of his
| fasnily, or any person connected with the War
department. This denial will not convince
| the country that there was no bribery. The
| circumstances point in the other direction.
General Boynton adheres to his original state
| ment as to a declaration made by Mrs. Belknap
| about receiving $35, 900 from a certain source.
he bellevesit to be true, and so stated in his
testimony. Mr.. Blackburn tried the ntimida-
| ton game, put Gen. Roynton is not easily
\ frightened. We think that before this investi-
CATION is over Mr.. Blackburn willlearn to treat
witnesses with more courtesy. Gen. Boynton
| IS now looking after little family tste a-tete
at which the expatriation3 of tho Marshes was
agreed upon. and il he finds out all the facts
| he will certainly publish them. In order to
show that. we have done Mr.. Pendleton no in
| justice we subjoin the following extract from
| the verbatim report of his examination before
| the Committee on the Expenditures of the War
Department., Mr.. Bass being the interrogation !:
| @. AS understand. in general terms, you,
| as administrator Of the Bowler estate, owned
| three-fifths of this road? A. In general terms.
| Q. And your administration was for the
| benefit of infants? A. Yes, sir.
| @. And you. us administrator, made a con-
| tract with yourself, as the President Of the
! road, by which you received $4,000 and the
Bowler estate received three-fift of sos, 900
or $4,000? A. No, sir; did not make it
myself. lu'" PSI
@. How was that done? A. Because con
suited Mr.. Bowler, my nephew, who was one
OF the heirs, and entitled to his full share; and
| | consulted my sister, Mrs. Bowler, who had
her interest.
iQy Yes, but there were two Infants. WHO
represented them except yourself? A. Well,
as far as they were represented, their mother
and their brother and | represented them.
@. 1t was assumed? A. No, sir; it was
not assumed. l}s ~ si| ~
Q.-It was assumed that they would not OBJ
ject to this when they became; of age? A.
Yes, sir; don't think they will object teit.
g. Then that is the fact, that as admins
TRAITOR representing three-fifths OF the road,
wan In ,,otr
dent OF the road, to perform these services?
4, made the contract just as 1 have stated
it to you.
@. Out OF which you realized $4,000, as I
Understand p A. Yes, sir; at least $4,000 !;
either $50, 900 or 100000; that is to say, re-
allied that ami; settled Mr.. Ransom's claim );
my impression is that paid him $4,000.
@. Out of the $4,000? A. Out OF whatev-
er received.
@. understand you to say that his claim,
or part OF his claim, was paid out Of the por
ton which went to the railroad company-the
$4,000? a. You misunderstood me If you
understood me to say that any portion of his
claim was paid out of the amount which the
Company was TO receive for its share; they
allowed me a certain amount, out of which
was to pay him now, the question was asked
me whether or not portion of IS certain draft
went to him-the draft for $6S, 900; that can
SCfltCCIy htiSWCl OC1luibtly MY lllJtcoSiOll 10
that it did,
Q. Then, will you state as nearly as you
can how much the Company realized Of this
claim? A. If the Company allowed me $780,,
600, as my distinct impression was that they
did, they realized $6S,00O, assuming that
Sl4S, 1000 was the amount received, instead OF
$4,000, as think it was; if, on the other
hand, they allowed me 100000, or sS7, 1000: or
$4,000. or whatever it was, they realized the
balance. o a-E Ha5
@. That is what asked you to state-how
much they realized? A
A. have told you that the impression upon
my mind was very distinct that they allowed
me $4,000, and that ! was to pay Mr.. Ran
som out Of that but in thinking over these
things my mind is a little confused whether
$4,000 was the exact amount that was allow
ed me but whatever they allowed me | paid
Mr.. Ransom out of it and the Company re-
ceyed the resi-. If am right in saying that
they allowed me $4,000, they received S6s,-
600 and a fraction; if they allowed me 800, 900
and | settled with Nj. Ransom, they received
but $5S, 900. ~ e g 45as