The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-03-18
POST TRADERSHIPS.
Ex-GOv. Campbell Denies the Charges
Made by the n. Y. HeraId.


Made by the n. ". Herald.
WASHINGTON, March 17.-Ex-Gov. Campbell
OF Wyoming, now one of the assistant secre.
tares of state, was before the Committee
on Expenditures in the War Department to-
day and read despatch published in the New
York herald, dated Bismarck, including him
with others in post traderships, and said that
he appeared here voluntarily to deny under
oath every statement concerning him in that
article.
More ABBOT the Manner i'm Which Trader
Eships Were Obtained.
c. K. Peck testified that he was of the firm
OF Durtee q Peck who were post traders at
Forts Sully, Rice, Stevenson and Buford. They
were appointed as such by the army council of
the administration. In 1870 an act was passed
giving appointments to the Secretary OF War
when the leadership at Fort Buofrd was taken
from the firm and given to A. y. Layton. Gen.
Hedrickiwas partner of Layton. Witness
did not know whether Layton paid the Secre-
tary of War or any other person for the APP
pointment. He had never heard anybody say
so. He did not know whether Orville Grant
had an interest in the business. lie had never
spoken to Grant. j. w. Vaughn was desig-
mated to succeed tie firm of Durfee & Peck at
Fort Stevenson. Mr.. Peck informed him that
there was only two companies at the post and
his impression was that Vaughn wanted $1,000
for the privilege of the post but be did not re-
ceive the money from the firm. The Secretary
of War not having been advised that Vaughn
would accept the position, the firm continued
to supply the post for while, but was subse
quenty put out as Peck understood through
Orville Grant. James G. Fitz succeeded the
firm at Fort Rice; Fitz in a conversation with
him attributed his appointment to the fact
that he (Fitz) had been attentive to Mr.. Tom
linson, an invalid, who had been placed in his
care, Tomlnson being brtoher of Mrs. Bel
KNAPP. Abbey was appointed to succeed the
firm at Fort SClly.
Mr. Pacfx said ha had copvarSafon with
the Secretary of War who told him that the
appointment had been given to Athey by order
of President Grant and that was the reason
why his firm was put out. Athey had been
Kansas and a brother of Gen. Babcock, late
private secretary of the President There were
four companies at the post. 1t was statutable
post when the firm had it netting about $4,000
year. The firm entered into contract with
Athey who had no means. W. g. Babcock
came to see the firm about contract to employ
Athey at the rate of 81, 500 year till he could
furnish means to purchase the stock and sup
plies of Durfee & Peck. Athey subsequently
obtained such means. Witness supposed the
appointment was procured through the in
f1uence ofiSurveyor Gen. Babcock. In fact it
was so understood between him and Athey.
1t further appears from testimony that Dur
fee and Peck were Indian traders at Cheyenne
under license of the Interior Department, and
were succeeded by George Felt, to whom the
Witness understood that Felts appointment
was obtained through the influence of Orville
Grant. The post was worth $4,000 year. The
trade at Standing Rock was worth about $10,-
600 year. Witness attributed the removal Of
the firm at that place to Orville Grant.
Having heard that an order for tho revoca-
tion of the license of Durfee & Peck was issued
from the Indian Office, witness asked the Sec
rotary of the Interior about it, and the Secreta-
rIy Informed him that the order was issued by
E Al,
said that if he did not cut off head when he
was ordered to do SO the President would cut
his head off. There was no complaint whatev-
er against the firm of Durfee & Peck. The
| witness detailed the character of the contract
with Athey. In consideration that he was to
buy up the stock of Durfee & Peck he was to
receive salary Of $500 year till he should
do so. This was done to protect the interest of
the firm as they had $4,000 worth of goods in
the post, and as Athey might have the goods at
any time, and until Athey should buy the goods
OF the firm they were to pay Surveyor General
Babcock $3.50 quarter This they did for three
quarters, making $2250. This was in consider
alton of Babcock's having procured the con-
tract. In further testimony, witness said the
effect OF making the posts monopoes increased
the prices required to be paid for the goods by
both soldiers and Indians. On further examn
alton witness said G. W. Babcock was Surveyor
General of Kansas at the time he became a
party to the contract to which reference is above
made.
Witness said the proclamation of the Presi-
dent extending the great Sioux reservation en-
hanced the value of posts on that reservation.
Cheyenne and Standing Rock were on the
great Sioux reservation. Tho effect of the
proclamation was to drive away all competi-
ton.
Q.-Do you know the reason which induced
the issuance of the proclamation?
Alt was generally understood out there
that 1T was through the influence of Orville
Grant.
Q-To close cut all competition?
Ayes, sir which it did.
Adjourned till Tomorrow