New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-05
GLovERAN COMMITTEE.
aE TREAsuRY INYEsrIGATIoN.

| To the Editor OF The Trt0RRe.
SIR: In Washington correspondence OF re-
cent date reference made TO the fact that had been
witness before the Committee Expenditures In the
Treasury Department Of which the Hon John ~ Glover
IA chairman, and that provision made Tor the
payment OF my fees. Tue nOnpayment OF my Tees Is
very small matter. aud in which the public Wonid
feel interest, Tut have thought that some account
OF my experience witness before that committee, as
illustrative Of its methods and Of the objects and animus
Of this soealled Investigation would not be unnterest
| ing 20 the readers of THE TRIBUNE.
| / was subpGnaed rs a witness before Mr. GlovePs
committee the 9th Of April and discharged on the
18th OF June. The officer who served the process re-
quosted 10 go that or the next evening TO Mr.
GloYer's private rooms, No sos DIST When sent up
my card mr. Glover engaged andI was usaered into
| the presence OF a military looking gentleman whom
subsequently learned was Professor Wilcox chief ex
pert OF the committee inquired to the nature OF the
information wanted from and alsO to the charae
and purposes OF the Investigation, that might form
some opinion the value and relevancy of facts
within my knowledge conversation ensued, relating
chiefly TO my transactions Supervising Special Agent
OF the Treasury Department nc Mobile in 1866, and 90
those Of my predecessor in that office expressed an
entire willingness to testify TO all those transactions
and 60 furnish all the Information within my knowledge
or possession that could any service to the
mittee IN its Investigations and not incompatible with
the interests OF the Government At the very outset,
however. thought discovered In Mr Willeoxs dispo-
son TO denounce the Government for its alleged inus-
tico to claimants for cotton. He spoke feelngy aud
with emphasis the haItshps and wrongs suffered by
such persons the hands OF the Treasury Department
and of his sympathy them He appeared to regard
the nOrmgto elected from very important and
requested TO give briefly history OF cotton opera
tons they under my observation IN the South in
| 1866
Tns proceeded to do referring old records
and leters while he lay down and went fast asleep
Wheu presently, he began snore. realized that was
IN rather an awkward situation. also began to have
some idea OF tie kind Of expert L was expected to
enlghten upon the trite subject Of captured and aban
doned property In the South This being my first inter
view with Congressional Expert, felt no assurance
Professor Wilcox not doing just the right thing
perhaps reading q trance my secret springs OF
| thonght-but L had doubts. Fortunately Mr. Glover
himself soon came into the room, ANA proceeded with my
examination In the usual way. The Professor, when he
aSoke apoogzed. by saying that he had been up very
late the previous night, and weary from OverwOrk
AT the conclusion this s6ancs instructed 10 he
| &C the eommittee-Foom the Capitol next morning
/ when my formal examination would be commenced be-
fore the subcommittee OF which Mr. l. C. Cause OF Ar
kansas Is chairman. After waiting hour or two for
/ Mr. Cause who failed 60 appear, Mr.. Glover admins
tered me- and proceeded to ask certain cues
tons which he said l could take with TO my
writing out my answers in narrative form, and handing
| them in when completed This plan was pursued from
day TO day. at the OF the committee. until
had furnished between and two hundred pages Of
| testimony.
On one OCCASION after reading TO question answer
which reflected OF the Official OF Mr.. Brs
tow Secretary and OF BlufOrd Wilson Solicitor Of
the Treasury which seemed 10 sOrd Dir. Glover sincere
qualification, going directly 10 the purpose OF his inyes
ugation lie exclaimed Involuntary thought, to Mr.
Macka Assistant SergeantaiArms, THAT will be hard
on Brstow IN the next campaign" AT another time Mr.
Glover declared with enthusiasm. II the House would
1 .tgN ton Tuore p1pq rtg
would M AXE such exposures would astOuud the Amer
lean peopeg Fortunately for the American people, the
House, through It's penuriousness, spared them that
shock. About iis time began 10 understand that one
ofthe primary objects OF the investigation sup
ply material for political buncombe IN the Fall cam
paign but did not think It right to require to DO
this at the low price Of 50 per diem, paying my own
hotel bills.
A few DAYS later was questioned 10 my trans
act ons nc Mobile and produced my letters OF settle
ment and also consolidated report Of the 1890 bales
| Of Confederate cotton handled Mr. Cause requested
me 10 furnish them copy Of this document including
| the marks aud brands the cotton. l said 60 Mr.
| Glover; zone OF the accusations made against your
committee that you collecting data TO aid certain
cotton claimants aud claim agents getting the proceeds
Of ths cotton out Of the Treasury and IL am forced
20 furnish marks and brands II VIII be referred TO
in confirmation Of this charge" He at frat considered
the suggestion seriously and II certainly offered In
good faith and friendly, respectful manner He np
peared IN dOubt but subsequently demanded per-
| emptory that should supply the marks and I asked
for days delay 10 determine whether would do
not. This about May o. prepared written state
ment to the committee respectfully declining to furnish
the marks cotton read t TO the Secretary Of the
Treasury and asked the premises He advised
| me that / was right, and authorized to say TO
the committee that he advised me. IL not until
May 81 after dlgent effort, that could get meeting
OF the subcommittee submit this statement, and for
fha info Iln
| difficulty was that Mr. Cause. the chairman was not
| well. When, after a prOtracted search,
anxious 20 discharged and 90 home. found Cause
he complained that lac was Sick and that his system
was saturated with malaria" AT the meeting OF the
| subcommittee, May 81, l submitted my reasons, in
writing for not furnishing the marks the In
the meantime voucher had been made out and signed
by Glover and Cause In my favor, for thirty days at
tendance but they refused to deliver II 10 me unless
would give them the marks on the cotton. Inquired II
| ny pay, as witness, would depend upon
| the character or extent OF the evidence gave,
| ana upon my giving up the marks the cot
ton bales Mr.. Glover replied. e1citedly "jO far as
am concerned you will not get cent unless you obey
the orders Of the You give up the paper
and get your money, you keep II and so 10 jail"
"Afr Glover" answered, at Is not worth while 10
make any threats In advance. That will not influence
me particle" alt s not threat sir" he said 1t is
just what happens TO every man who does as you are
| doing"
This was on the GOD Of May. The day. the day
after I was served with subpoena duces teeum,
mandlng me 10 appear before the full committee, aud
bring with the report showing the marks aud brands
ON the cotton On the Gath OF May in obedience 10 this
summons went before the committee taking that doc
ument in my hand. In answer to questions. again pos
tiyely declined to surrender the paper saw that the
purpose Of the meeting to make out q OF con-
| tempt against me- have me reported and taken
under arrest before the bar Of tho House. When
asked why refused 10 furnish the paper, copy OF IT,