Year: 1876

Sr. PAUL, MINNESOTA, May 49,
The Pioneer IfcS and Tribune, this
morning publishes the report OF an in.
teryiew with General James a., Baker,
formerly Commissioner OF Pensions, con-
tradicting in several important particu.
lars the testimony OF Miss Ada Sweet
Pension Agent at Chicago, regarding his,
connection with the settlement OF the
$1,000 deficit. The following converse.
tion took place:


Rcportcr-Miss Sweets testimony.
would seem to imply that you were priyy
to an alleged arrangement between Mr..
BIakcley and Miss Sweet.


General Baker-Nothing OF the kind.
/ never had any knowledge Of any ar
rangement OF the kind between the
parties touching this whole matter until
some months after Miss Sweet assumed
the duties Of her Office, when an apparent;
deficit was found in her accounts Of s., 900
and through regular official channels she
was notified OF the fact, when she notified
me by personal letter Of the facts in the
case. About the same time Blakely, by
personal letter, notified me Of the situation.
/ concluded that this matter was very
important and 1 would go to Chicago
myself and look after it, and l did so at
the earliest possible moment. She then
gave a general history Of the case. She
seemed TO have gotten herself volunta-
rily into the situation. l told her
promptly that she must cease paying any
money TO any one on this account. This
she gladly promised.


Reporter-The newspaper version OF
her testimony alleges that yourself, and
Mr.. Blakeley appeared in her office one
morning after your return from Min
nesota and demanded immediatepayment
OF this apparent deficit?


General Baker-She had been officially
notified from the Office before l knew any
thing OF the matter whatever, that this
deficit must be made good; that she could
could not evade. This l fully explained
TO her in her Office when on my way to
Minnesota. When l returned she
was prepared and did make it good. |
never went to Blakeley's other office ior
any purpose whatever; never talked with
her in Blakeley's presence touching the
matter. All OF the conversation concern.
ing Il took place in her private office
with closed doors. treated her with the
utmost kindness and consideration, as she
herself has given me in writing the most
ample assurance. l was Miss Sweets
true friend, both in the matter OF her ap.
pointment and the adjustment OF this
whole affair, and did all for her that could
be done within the limits Of my official
duty. think Miss Sweet is an excellent
woman, and ! always took the deepest in
tercst, MS did my entire Office, in making
her position as pleasant as possible
for her father and l were friends. She
never received anything but kindness al
my hands.


In reply to the question, "What ioun-
dation Is there for the insinuation con.
tained in the report that Blakeley sought
to use your official power to screen his
acts9' General Baker Is reported as re.
plying that Mr.. Blakeley and himself had
been strong personal friends for fifteen
years, but he had never had business
transaction with him OF any kind, nor
did Blakeley ever ask him to use his
official position for his (Blakeley's) per-
sonal purposes.


General Baker continued: "Nor did ]
know anything affecting the integrity oi
his administration OF the pension agency
nor were any charges made affecting his
fidelity in the discharge OF his duty while
l was Commissioner OF Pensions. This
matter between himself and Miss Sweet
Of which knew nothing until long after
it was an accomplished fact, is all that
can affect his character.as public officer
which ever came to my ears


Reporter-What about this Mr.. Camp
bell, mentioned in Miss Sweets testimony


Gen. Baker-I knew nothing about him
Miss Sweet told me that she was paying
money to some Mr.. Campbell, and ! told
her that she must quit and not pay an.
other dollar, and she told ME she would