The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-10


- Few AAaasaess - ~ osFssea'
WAsuMoros Feb. (, 1855
Til invsetiRatiou commenced on tho 11sh uls, Dc
Nw~ sha Hen. Senators Houston, OF Texas Under
vnaa n Ksptuoky; Borlsnd, Of Arkansas; Walker,
- Ws.,or.in. and Brook, Of Mississippi who
IN ~. besn appointed the investigating oom-
r,,tsee. Samuel Goodwin acted as clerk. The pro-
ceedings will. doubtless, affect tho passage Of the
100000 In the Deficiency bill which passed the
Hoase for the continuation Of the work. The parties
involved In this affair are Mr.. Walter the architect
Samuel Strong, late general superintendent and Ro
bert Strong, assistant superintendent and others.
TESTIMONY.
John Kelly being sworn testified that in March, 1852
be WA employed q regular the at the
Capitol samuel Strong, then in employ and brother of
Robert Strong the superintendent him 800 to
raise mob, and burn in eigy the Hon. Mr. Borand one
of the committee the Hon Mr. MeNar Of the House
Of Representatives; they would furnish the efdgies
mo examination, and no defence yet taken.)
isash Dcsne being duly sworn, testified that Robert
Strong sent for and employed him the public works at
north wing for fifteen and one-fourth days got from
Strong his ticket the paymaser for $40 So Strong
after he drew the money asked him chow much he got
and told him on drawing not to allow any
it, be took the money afterwards from witness and he
<~itnes got back pay at the rate of 81 so per day
eighteen days, Strong retaining the balance this was in
September last the next month worked twenty two DAYS
and paid the order received from Strong $7 SIX
0ses a. be was PAID back again
kept the balance the next month paid $50 IS re-
turned the difference as usual and paid at the
rate OF u 20 this month january employed also
and during most Of the time occupied in building
house for himself only worked during the month for
der strong demanding and receiving the difference as
usual Of 81 so; next month worked fifteen or sixteen
days was paid e4s So kept that sum and loft the build
Ing because in expectation OF being discharged
absent four days, and for again by Strong
employed, with the understanding that was to re-
fund strong paIs of the money retained; did so, and
allowed Tor the four days that was absent; con
tinusd te work in this way until the present month
only wesksd one day and paid for three.
James Dufy testhsd that he worked thirteen DAYS in
September 1851 the works. put in there John
Knsey, time keeper; got $50 and some cents; paid
Knsley ele for Strong Is regular got his ticket
for Ss6 whom he worked bat thirteen days was paid on
the ticket order from Strong BY the at the
Timothy Gleason eorroborated the former Witness got
the number Of he employed this was according
20 verbal agreement made between Samuel Strong and
myself the agreement was signed by Robert Strong the
Patrick Cussie testified that less than nine or ten
men were paid on charges for truck hire on truck
four men would be suit Gent one truck.
he difference in this way Of charging for truck hire it
estimated would take no less than 500 per day
Witness urther-From fifteen to twenty men we're
employed the Capitol who not masons but L.
bore they got s. 70 day of them receive at
the rate of 81 IS Ier day from Strong heard say
he gave back at the rate Of 81 per day to Strong,
the south wing gave way three times and was poned
up again TO conceal the settlemsnt three times; Nj
ohas Goudsa was there for three weeks groutng and
Them but did notice him looking at the defects
Michael Lydden testihed-He employed as = stone
mason and foreman on the south wing Of the Capitol,
from August 1851 until the 4th January inst eighteen
twenty men we're, at time, placed by his side
Strong about it, Strong said he would put them the
foundation works. and put regular masons on the works
north wing Of building was properly squared
BY about two feet 1t was built in this high ten
feet before It was discovered second WALL to it,
built up by the side Of the first beth walls were
then built upon which were covered to make it
look like WALL the that the granite received
archng whom common rock would have DONE or answer
ed; granite 10 much dearer than rock
Emil g. Frederick corroborated the statement Of the
John A. sohmid testified tina. he saw some fifteen or
nom IL Capitol and .id to Cd sam Scott s'''' '-Aen
Hugh Donoghue corrobor.ted the statement Of the
l.ss wtnessWas ssent to hinsley, the timekesper
the work; when Strong went to at the ecton in
New York. he (witness) collected of $l40 from
men fog Strong their names were Dean John Henry,
Nike Cochran, Tom Dawley, Z Fredericks, and Tim
80 .--.-s -r... .-...-... -. 49,. ....vs.
This was exhibited BY specimens in the committe,
and subsequently inspected the by senator
Timothy Nahon !. i.soror, testified he worked tire.
he found that be had been credited for thirteen days
days Vork. ''''
John Henry corroborated witnesses statement
4
the granite paid by the government, and not BY the
contractor Mr. Emory, who should pay them himself,
FEBRUARY s, 1868.
The investigation is still proceeding, and there is
70 secrecy about the business here. The witnesses
ah appear about the doors Of the committee room,
with their statements in writing
The most important witness to-day was
Nathan Kinslcy, the foreman Of the works under
Strong, employed IS foreman $50 men, 1T the
time time O. tie election, lwhen Strong was assent ct
borcRs. Tho tmeman returned the TO the
o6nee q the clerk Of the architect and not to the
Saw ropes and derricks belonging to the government
taken from the work for the Of sealys lime kiln
Q-Dd not Hugh Donaghue receive for You and Robert
Strong $40 from six of the mens
Al . not know the exact amount. Thomas Develin
and Michael CoTcoran apprentices and Donaghue
aecou.tsd With me for my portion received from them
The othss men we're apprentice PR Of Robert Strong
apprentces; don't know whether Mr. Walter the archi-
tect, did o. not the men employed in working granite
received their pay from the government there
truck sometimes used and sometimes twe nine men
wore employed on each truck.
John DAVID laborer testified that on the 4th of No
vember 1852 he wrote letter to Samuel strong stating
that he was advised to HIM for the recovery OF
The sums o. money given him over after the 10th Of
January, when the men dismissed, he (witness)
Threatened to prosecute Strong for the fraud Strong
told him that be could employ take apprentices and
thsa receive the profits their labor Witness testified
at considerable length the bad character Of the
vtrk, both brick work and Stone work
Daniel o. b. Mangin testified that Strong collected small
sums varying from IS to 12K cents, and amounting to
~, for printing purposes, " from the men.
FEBRUARY 7, 1853.
The only testimony put in to-day you will find
b0fiw.
Osborn McObee testified that Ia August last the
slaked lime used in building the Capitol took fire. and
caused the freestonc TO burst in places They
not proceed to lay the granite pulling down
tbs part q the building where il had st building
mp ANEW. The freestone that burst unsuitable
tie vail Of such building Tho trucks that drew the
granite and stone from the place where Emorys team
had deposited IT, belonged TO the government The blue
atO La Ordi atone
used In thi CITY for building.
No cross examination.
Philip Gormy testified that he employed BY Bart
ktt smith who bought the contract from Mr. Piper
he had heard for $780, draw the blue stone from the
canal The stone unfit for such work the extern
SION Of the Capitol The stone detective 1t
I'D. Wss . contractor for grading and masonry
fhs Ohio and Canal since 1887 and
such indifferent material that which he had hauled
cax4ed ned thu Cantol. and that