The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-16

be represented witness in the matter contract was
made by Gibbons Kelly with the Assistant Secretary
substantially corresponding with that Of witness Glib
bons Kelly are now going on with the contract; he
thinks That they got IL IN May, 1852.
The $4,000 was paid about two or three weeks ago.
Orom l4th Augus-that is from 25lh 10 last OF July,
ls52) It was paid 10 Deano one OF the interested par
ties, by an order from Gibbons and Kelly the appro
praon then IN the treasury and witness received his
share, (S50OOl but does not know whether Robert g.
Corwin the other party interested received bis portion
TESTIMONY OF THE HON. W l. HODGE, ASSISTANT sECRE-
TARY OF THE TREASURY.
witness; as acting secretary, made the contract II
was not advertised because it generally known and
not deemed necessary II thought that the work
could not be executed for the sum appropriated Witness
therefore required solvent bond from McGinns for the
sum OF $4,000 against which he demonstrated being
100 lagea security, and was then advised by witness to
reinqulsh the contract, il would probably involve
him Alter fruilless efforts 10 obtain pailners. McGinns
reinquished the contract, and il was cancelled This
was in accordance with the Secretarys previous dese,
anless bond was filed aud The work proceeded with
The contract was finally concluded with +. A. Gibbons
and +. D. Kelly, who brought forward by Mclin-
mis- satisfactory bond for S75 900 promptly exe-
cuted by those parties No advertisement was made af
ter McGipnss contract abrogate was thought
mere was sl less reason for il than before. On the oath
OF April 1882. the Senate informed OF the abroga-
non OF the contract. and further appropriation asked
Miclinnss contract was cancelled early in April 1884,
Witness had negotiations with Mc(sinns until after
he left the department Witness understood that McGin-
mis- would associate partner with him, and that he
McGinnis would aid In the execution of the contract
and retain his interest to the last Witness found that
McGinns was endeayorlng 10 sell out his interest for
liked sum. This excited the anger OF the witness Wit
ness had no knowledge oil Mr.. Robert CorwiDs Mr..
Delanos connexon with the business and is convinced
that Mr. Robert Corwin had not and was to have
any interest," and that he has not received pecunaTy
benefit therefrom Pounds his testimony upon This point
upon the known repugnance of the Secretary to the
osnition of Robert Corwin counsel agent in any
business before The department, together with the decara
ton OF Mr. Robert Corwin, that he had not had, and
never was TO have any interest Mr.. Delano assisted
Mr. Mcliinnis IN his negotiations. The witness has no
knowledge of Deaao's interest. Supposed he acted in
business capacity. week ten days elapsed from the
agreement until the actual signing OF the contract.
Thought that the whole business closed when Nc
Gnnss contract cancelled, and under that belief the
letter to the Senate of path April 1862, was written.
Witness took it for granted lha, NcGiDnis to have
interest the contract with Gibbons and Kelly as he
brought Gibbons forward, but did not know, did he
make inquiry, as TO the terms. There was no intention
or with any person whom he might associate with him,
as all his efforts to SELL TO get persons Join him ia
gave il up The introduction of Gibbons unex-
peced affair 10 witness Knows of application by De-
ano for the modification of Gibbons Deanos contract
Does not know, and has not heard OF previous offers to
do the work for the or for less than McGnnis's
offer, or OF the proposal 10 pay MGGnnis bonus further
than the Indignation he derived from him, that he had
made satisfactory arrangement with the parties, but the
terms OF which witness did not learn. Witness only
knew of McGinniss previous dsappoinmens in making
satisfactory arrangements Never heard that he made
declaration that he wished TO sell for $4,000, that
be would give up his office to get the contract until After
the present investigation commenced The negotiations
for the contract signed by MIR Mc(inns December 25,
1851 had been progressing eight days, draughs
prepared within that tms which altered BY witness
The department, therefore, knew prsuousty TO Deem
Der 90 1851 he date OF the Secretary OF the Treasury
report stating that contract had been made, the sub
stance OF the terms OF the contract actually agreed upon
Does nol know OF any instance, during MI Corwns ad-
minslraon OF the Treasury, OF the negotiation Of trans
ttrs OF contracts, except FAR as II may have
Cured IN this case, where IT appears Gibbons 4
Kelly " have not sold, but appear TO have paid a
in connexion with it," Knows Of contracts made with
the department previous to Mr. Corwins coming into
office, which have been sold. McGnnis appointed
under General Jacksons administration; was continued,
with short interval in 1871, until he succeeded Nc
Clnock Young, esq as chel clerk 10 s4s and contn-
ued IN that position until removed by Mr. Corwn, april
1, 1885, aud Mr.. George Harrington appointed an his
place lie was then charged with The marine hospital
and Pacific lighthouse business at an annual salary of
Sl,7oo resigned this place December g. 1851 No SPECIAL
instructions received from Mr. Corwn respecting these
contracts Pursued the invariable rule TO conier and get
bis consent all debatable points, and finally 10 submit
for his approval and signature The daugbt OF the ac,
giving him any explanation he might desire. #...
The Secretary declined negotiating with McGinIis
while he was a clerk in The department Has
lection OF the report OF McGnnis respecting advertising
The practice OF the department has not been uniform IL
reerence 10 advertising and in confirmation OF this he
refers TO the OF the public warehouses IN New York
rented Tor over 100000 ler annum without ady,rus
ment
Submits the published proceedings OF the Senate of the
26th OF April, 1852, as virtually advertisement for pro-
posals alter the contract with McGnnis cancelled
TESTIMONY OF GEORGE HARRINGTON, E'o ,cHEr cLkRx
OF THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT
He was appointed chief clerk The lst OF April, 1851.
He brought the subec OF the light houses TO the noce
OF Mr. Corwin Contract made with McGinns the 25th
OF December, 1881, for 900 MeGinnis was 10
give bond in the OF $4,000, He called upon
the l7h OF March 1852 by The department. TO furnish
II and not complying, on or about The let oil April
1852, witness directed by the Secretary prepare
communication to him aunung the contract, and Nc.
Ginns was written 10 accordingly. Refers 10 the com
munIcaton TO The Senate to the inadequacy OF the
appropriation. Some three four weeks afterwards
10 Wi: on The Both OF April ls52-a contract
tered into with Gibbons Kelly for the same amount,
which was subsequently, moolfed in certain particulars
enumerated by witness. bond has been given by
them, with approved securities, for $4,000, dated the
day OF the date OF the contract hcGiDnls resigned bis
Office in the treasury December 3. 1851 There were no
public advertisements for proposals TO build the light
such negotiations assigned TO the Assistant Sece
tary, and witness only knew the results when they
reached The department. files
TESTIMONY O ooRwN
He denies that be has, had, any interest in the
contract, either with Deano otherwise. Was in Ohio
when the negotiations and contract made. and knew
nothing OF the arrangements relations respecting be-
tween Deano and McGnnis, until McSinnis was called
hearsay, and from this does not knox who are in
eres,ed with Mctiinnis and Deano, nor the price for
which the work TO be done
TESTIMONY or sErH n. INGALLS,.
He made offer about January /, 1882, TO j. McGin.
TO build eight light houses the Pacific II
did not exceed $4,000, with certain privileges be