Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-11-04
Pie srIn~1(aARaES AZ NsT
Ex.CONM sSsRONEH CRAVE.
The Notorious Timber On Had.
Newton and Doaegau on the Stassi.


Aldermen Slater and Stewart, two members
of the committee 20 investigate the off ciaI con-
duct OF j. n. Crane, as Commissioner OF the
Fourth Ward under Ar. Bowen, met at the C.ty
Hall last night. Alderman Shepherd. the third
member. being ahsent-Henry Himber. tt,
notorious eN-Commissioner OF the First Ward
secretary OF the committee. Two reporters
present.
MI crane appeared and demanded that if a.. :
BODY had any charges 10 u AXE against him II .
should be putin writing, aud signed, a. he was
unwilling TO come before any committee 20
waste his time in
FIGHTING RrMORs,
street talk, or what this or that man, perh APPS
his person1t or political enc my, may have, at
some time, said about him. Such an invessiza-
ton voa,d be ridiculous fsce. He demanded
aso that 1t be pablo, As he ds' not wisd to ap-
pear before two OF the commitsee-one q polit-
ical and the other persona, enemy. II tina.
committee was TO clear hum or find him Guilty
and their report 70 go before the Board OF tder-
men and the people, TO influence and perhaps
determine the action or the foS-ner snd sw ay
the Judgment Of the latter, as &c his character
srdly thing not to give specific saarges and a
fair chance to show up bis accusepe.
The committee objected TO thi., and thought
no specific charges necessary; bs. they would
proceed with the investigation under the resolu-
ton of the board, in their own way.
TESTIMONY OF A. 8. NEwTCy.
Mr.. A: 5. Newton, late bootkee8er TO the
corporation, was called and sworn az & witness,
ana testified that he knew nothing abort the
sheet sewer matter, except what he he'd hea II
ODouohue, the cOntractor, say about it in the
Mayors ofhce, sometime il the summer of 1869
- DoBobue confessed that BE had been sliltv @,
a fr aud in the constructions Ct one square OF the
sewer by using cnly one coarse Of brick where
ne sholld have used two court $; and that ly the
saving he thus made he intended to make ores-
chi OF 600 each to LII. Crane and Mr.. Bliss, and
to another party moi named; said it was custom
airy TO ~ axe presents TO officers Saving supervi-
sion of work; had practiced it Ioe twenty yesSs,
here and in Brooklyn. Mr.. Newton said, that
Mt. Donohue saidthat the prealnt was to IT,
duce them e
KEEP OUT OF THE WAY.
that they did keep out OF the way t. at he gave
II up after one square, because too Rrch trouble
and risk; that neither MIR. Crane no, Mr. Bliss
knew anything about his Intention TO give them
money; That be never mentioned it to Aem.
Mr.. Newton further testified that he O. &c had
q conversation with Mr.. james G. Naylor, a
builder. on the subject, and Mr.. Nayles told
him that Mr.. ODonOaue told him that the in
tentlon was to pay money to two parties only,
MIR. Crane being one Of diem, ami that it vas
an understood thing between them. Mr.. New
ton said 1t was his recollection OF the converse
ton, though not positive that Mr.. Mayor told
him that Mr.. UDonohue told him that MT.
Crane understood that he was to have money.
Cross- questioning elected further information
as 10 what Mr.: Newton had not heard at another
conversation in the Mayors ofice, when the
door was locked, and his impressions az to the
duties OF award commissioner but nothing mors
TESTIMONY OF SURVEYOR DONHGAN.
MI. DoneGan, City Surveyor, was the new
witress and testified that he was SUPERINTENDENT
OF Sewer, when the first square Of the sewer
Has built, which was completed prior to his
election as Surveyor. The second square was
completed affsr he entered upon the duties of
Iurveyor. Was ir ormed when SURVEYOR thai
pleted according to the contract-the ,econd
course OF brick not beng com plesed in some
places, in the crown Of the arch. Donohue and
Costello we're the COM FACTORS. Can not say pos
itIvely, did no. see il, but 's of opinion from
WI at be heard that the fraud would 1os ma.,rI-
Ally effect the sewer. Has heard that Mr.. Crane
vas offered money in conr ection y b 81 i'd sewer
hr. Donohue informed him thst Crare M,ss to
receive two hundred dollars to approve the wo,t,
and that Mr.. Crane accepted the offer. Mr.. !
zone gan gave his views In regard to the duties |
y WARD Commissioner and Superintendent OF
sewers IN the construction of seEors Contend
ng that the former had charge of the work and
nat the superintendent simply furnished the
o'an and grade which others were ID carry ont
!. argument too place on this point.
III. stewart asked question about The naye-
nent OF an sney on 4fh street, between l. and
New York avenue, but Mr.. Doneean knew
'olblhg about II, and upon further inquiry il |
,npesred that there was
SO Sch ALLEY,
;Gt probably another alley was meant, which l. |
,ppeared, however, bad %" paved for twenty |
can. Mr. 5. evidently did not get at he
lolnt re INTENDED TO make, as no point appeared.
Ar. Donegan did Lot know whether the money |
SEQ, ie0, or SCc0) had been paid Mr. Crane. |
hau not heard any one say that he received i;
llso that be did not know of any carts having
4 IA employed by Mr., Crane, or Of brother or !
Cranes having been paid when be rendered &c J
eryice 10 the corporation; had heard talk CT
bat kind.
A long cross examination by Mr.. Crane ell
cited the information that Mr.. DoDegan had no
-e me- mbraDce of numerous facts and conveTsa-
Crs OF which Mr.. Cranes recollection WIS
very clear, and that Mr.. Donegan did rCt re-
'eiye brides, and that he had not offered
BE.BE OF FIFTY DOLLARS
o MI Crane to secure liquor license for
'eTtain lrisbman in the Fourth Ward. of which
Mr.. Crane was equally pc tive on TIE other
Ide. Some sharp words were passed, and ct a
ate hour the committee adjourned.
The two committeeman evidently regard il as
heir business 10 make as much OF a case as
nos sible against their old enemy. Their heal ~
ire IN the vcfk, and they were very particular
% charge the reporters and secretary ID note
Town each strong point Of the hearsaS evidence
n II arose. MIR. Stewart frequently alluding TO
le charge. which MIR. Crane had made in prfrt
hat be tStewart) was
AN UNMITIGATED LIAR, ETC.,
MI. Crane was sublimely indignant at what he
;alled uiting, contemplate and dastardiy
proceeding and attack upon him. and will
probably refuse to attend any of their meetings
,r paw any attention to them, unless to meet
.leClLe charges made against him in writing,
nd with iair anu open Investigation.
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