New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-15

PENDLETONs SHARE IN THE WAR CLAIM.
CORRUPTION OF DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS DENIED
Mr. PENDIEToN, HOWEVER, APrEAPs IN SIN
GUIAR LIGHr-$sO, 900 FEE FOR DOING WHAT
HE WAS BOUND TO DO WITHOUT.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, March lathe history of the
celebrated Keniuckyraroad claim rejected by Secretary
Stanton and paid by Secretary Beknap as told By Geo.
H. Pendeton and Senator Stevenson TO the Committee on
Expenditures In the War Department to-day is very
Interesting one While evidence Of corruption In con
nection with its payment has thus far been f0unc,
and while all those who have testified positive
ly deny that any money was paid to Beiknap'
Mrs. Bower, or any one else 1t illustrates very
forcby the impocy Of the practice rarely INDUCED III
by heads Of departments and always considered regu
lar Of reopenng old cases which have been adndicated
by their predecessors and paying claims when many OF
the circumstances originally surrounding them and gov
ernipg action upon them, have been forgotten Tie
story, brought out in the testimony is as follows:
Soon after the beginning Of the a conference was
held between The officers Of the lea ling railroads of the
country aud the representatives Of the Government at
which schedule Of rates for the transportation Of
troops and supplies agreed upon At the same time,
according 10 Mr.. PendetOD an exception was made ID
favor Of roads extending through country liable
10 be occupied by the Confederate army and ~
have s business interrupted its property destroyed by
military operations uuIlns sucD OtcupdtlOu' Ahte"
roads be allowed make special contracts with
the Government aud 10 receive greater remuneration for
services rendered than those subject to such dan
gers The Kentucky Central road claimed place in this
eNss but ts claim not admitted by the Government
until the Summer Of 1854 after which 1t allowed 80
per cent Of Its regular ta rates Prior 70 that time the
Company was paid for the transportation Of troops and
supplies in accordance with the rates fixed by the general
conference frarosd managers.
ne Eoulp Oh oIo no
eminent for the difference between the amount, which
had already been received from 1861 1864, and that
which would have been paid had the classification OF TIE
road been originally admitted claimed. This was re-
ieted by Secretary Stanton the recommendation OF
Quarermaste Megs who, several subsequent
occas0ns when request 10 reopen the ease WAS made,
and always stood by his original opinion. Several at
'oIneys were at different times employed by the Com
pany 10 collect this claim, and contract made with
M Ransom by the terms Of which he was 10 receive
20 per cent Of any money which he collected. Three
nths OF the road during the owned b. MI Bow
er Who according Senator Stevenson, remarked pre-
houL 10 his death that he would sell his interest In the
eAun In question for five cents dollar, and none Of
hose Interested expected that IL would be paid.
eenator Stevenson testified that they all considered what
they got as clear gain.
IN 1870, Mr.. Pendleton having in the mean time be
come executor Of the Mr. Bowler and president
Vi NE road made contract with those who owned the
IVsd 70 undertake the collection OF this claim for
uhsent Zee OF 90 per THIS contract which was
t peculiar one, considering Mr.. PendletOn's relations
W"e oSners OF the claim, has caused great deal Of
Mk unce be made its terms Known IN his testimony
quay In the first place, executor Of the Bowler
'S'e DC represents tree1fhs interest In the claim.
."a ID his capacity executor Of legally
@"u morally bound 70 do everything 10 his power TO
''ufe j" payment As president Of the road. ALSO he
piesehted the entire interest IN the clam and con
,'0ersuon OF bis salary Of $4,000 year was again
"s~J bound 70 protect and promote the interests Of
He company In everything he could. Holding these
Posuons, he made contract with himself 10 collect
W. eAm Which be was bound TO try TO collect without
.ee and the condition Of the contract was that he
30 per cent OF oil be collected None Of the
v'nefs made any objection 10 this arrangement, and
s 4~S' SHOWS how much they valued the claim. Tie
S'uia~fy work OF preparing the papers in the
~'eAoy been done by Mr. Ransom. who, Mr.. Pendle-
'-ys' had spent several years 10 Washington attempt
e secure ts payment. Mr.. Pendletons service con
~ seeing the Secretary Of War, inducing him 10
1D TIE case once more TO the Quartermaser General
I .i@f ne had reported adversely upon It again TO
ra .s0 OF Three arguments In It's favor.
" was turned over 10 the Assistant Judge Ad-
"sAsfs, and on bis favorable report was ap-
$3.50 " secretary BelkRap and paid. Three dafts were
ms Treasury Department, each IN
"s~uAeoh' ons for about ,533, ons for