The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-05-08
Penney's Revelations.

SAN FRAScrsCo, May THE publica.
ton by the Chronicle Of Geo. NJ. Penney's
charges against Sargent, Page, Gorham,
Carr and others, has produced decided
sensation here. II was first supposed
that Penney had supplied the iniorma.
ton directly, but both he and Detectige
Lees say that the publication ia prema.
ture and regretted by them as spriDginV
too soon. II happens that nearly ali
OF those implicated in Penneys story are
in town to-day.
The Bulletin publishes The interviews
with most Of them. Some are quite
lengthy.
Senator Sargent-So far as the charges
refer to him they are utterly without
foundation; had but little acquaintance
with Penney; understood he was compe.
tent, and recommended his retention in
the pay inspector's Office. The additional
clerk was put there solely with the idea
that more help was needed. Had never
written line TO or concerning Penney
that he desired to keep from the public,
and never attempted, in company with
Page, Carr or Lagran, to obtain from
Mrs. Penny letter he had written her
husband announcing his intention Of
At once taking legal advice, and
II the recent publication in the Chronicle
could be considered libellous would bring
suit At once. He rendered Capt. Leas
every assistance TO capture Penney, and
never sought to either obtain or prevent
his return. The Congressman denies
Penny's charges Sgainst him. II Penny
put any money in his Congressional Dis.
trtct he did not know that it justiies
himself Of any corrupt practices in con.
nection with the mail contracts, By re.
quest Of Penney he presented the matter
of relieving him from the charge OF de.
sertion. 10 Secretary Robeson, who de-
clined to accede to the request. Penny's
son then sent him threatening
letter when he droped the matter
entirely, a. there was no exposure he
feared. Before the election last fall be
was approached by friend Of Penney,
who said he had heard from Penney that
he had written to Page for 81 900 to sup.
press it, | Ireplied that he might publish
them at once; would not give ten cents to
suppress any letters from Penney; con.
sidered it an attempt at black mail; never
consulted with Sargent, Gorham, or Carr
about Penney's attemptto have the charge
OF desertion removed; did object to his
removal from the pay office, at that time,
which he had since regretted,
Gen. Lagrange, Superintendent Of the
Mint, refused to say anything except that
whenever charges are brought against
him by his superior officers in matters
connected with the management Of the
mint, he will answer to their satisfaction.
He denied ever purchasing a memoran.
dun book from Mrs. Penney.
VIM. L. Carr said he had already com.
menced Nn action for libel against the
Chronicle. The thing looked like black
mail, but he would not get dollar from
him. Penney's story as far as it related
to him was false. He had some Of
Penney's property in his hands, which
he was ready to turn over whenever
Penney and the creditors could decide to
whom It should be paid; had sent Penney
money at his request while he was
abroad; never put straw In his way OF
coming back, and would pay everything
he had OF Penney's at the proper time.
Penney had no letter from him that he
was unwilling that it should be published.
John c. Hanscom, Naval Contractor,
wished 10 make no statement, as the
matter would come up in court, but that
everything in Penney's statement,
relative to the Hanscom family was false,
except that he Hanscom) was a govern
ment contractor. The time would come
when he would be glad to make state
ment