Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-03-02
THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATED. {.
Proceelli.gs before the Aouss CO m.
m1tte4 TO.6oy.


charges against the Board of Public Works and
the new District government was resumed Thu
morning before the House Committee On the
District of Columbia.
D. G. Forney, sworn.-Was one of the proprie-
tors Of the Sunday Morning CAroaicle; had done
advertising for the District government wit
ness here produced schedule of bills for advet-
Using, amounting to q ,64S.l The bills had been
paid; was interested in the contract for paving
Sd street; acted a. trustee for Mr.. Reinhsrdt's
in the work; Fatx was one of the auditing com.
mission, and Reinhardt was chief clerk of the
Legislature; witness made nothing out of the
contract; had no interest IN any other contract
in the charges Of the memoialists that the press
has been subsidized want you to state II you
were influenced BY having the advertisements.
ments before the Board OF Public Works or the
new District government were created.
Louis H. Doagldss, swOrn:-Is publisher of the
Hew District government. Witness here pro-
duced a schedule of bills for work done by him
up to January LIST, 1872, amounting to 50 ,3s2 10
Col James g. Berrct, swOrn:-Is president OF
THE WASHINGTON CLPB.
Wy Mr.. Green.-Can you furnish me list
OF the stockholders in that club?
Col Berrett-If the committee desire it will
DO 80, but for the lite of me cannot see what a
social organ cation has to do with your investi-
cation into the affairs Of the Board Of Public
Mr. Starkweather.-whati is the object of this
testimony?
Mr.. Green.-My object is to show that this
club Is organized upon the same basis as the
TaDmany club in New York.
Gen. Chipman.-H seems to me- Mr. Chair
man, that we are making asses Of ourselves in
permitting an investigation of this kind. We
should have little regard for ourselves rs
committee. would
AS SOON INVESTIGATE THE METROPOLITAN
as the affairs OF this club.
Mr. GIeen.-We will show that contractors of
the District 60 to make up that club.
Gen. Chipman.-I have no doubt there are
contractors in the Metropolitan church.
Mr.. Chandler Are you quite sure there is not
conspiracy in that church to improve this city?
Col. Berrett.-FOr my part 1 have not the
slightest hesitation In furnishing the informa-
ton desired, but it does seem to me as a most
extraordinary proceeding. This club is a pri-
vate, social organization; entirely so; private
ana social in its character as any organization
in the United States.
Gen Chipman:-My reason, Mr.. Chairman,
is this: I'll ere should be some limit to our in
vestigation. The committee should protect it.
self and not 60
FRYING INTO THE PRIVATE AFFAIRS on OTHER
PEOPLE.
Col. Berrett hoped the committee would mar.
uon him Tor the statement; but he had not the
least suspicion that the club was political or.
ganization; nothing Of the kind is about it. IT
he had any such suspicion he would not be q
member Of it.
Mr.. Charlottesville club has no political sig
nlqc4nce?
Col. Berrett-I never heard politics discussed
Gen. Chipn4n..Is there anything about poll
tics in your rules?
Col. Berrett.-No, sir. On the contr nv.
political discussions are expressly prohibited.
As all the members of the committee were not
in, the chairman stated the question O. 20 the
list Of members Of the club would be postponed
unul the members OF the committee should
Ctl. Berret resumed Was at one time con-
nected with the Patriot as business manager;
the paper had advertised for the new District
government; had no objection to state who was
the largest stakeholder in the paper;
WIN. NJ. TWEED, OF NEW YORK,
was the iarges, stockholder.
Gen. Chipman.-Mr. Crane, what Is the OBJ
Mr.. Crspe.-I wish to show that William NJ
Tweed was in sympathy with the Board of
Public Works, and prevented it from opposing
Gen. Chir.sun.-Do you regard that as re-
Election On the Board Of public WorksOr Tweed
whieh3
Col. Berret, resuming, testified that he had no
connection with the paper now except as q
stockholder; the paper was started as q national
democratic organ; the editors had expressed
their opinions without being influenced by
patronage from the Distri, Il government; the
fered with by the District patronage; Mr.. Har-
vey did not leave the paper on account Of being
required to cease opposition to the Board OF
Publ Pubic Works; Mr.. Harvey left Of his own vo-
By Mr.. Eldridge:-The managing editors Of
the Patriot were General Jeffries, after Mr..
Harvey; o. X. Harris was local editor, and
cles about the District government; the paper
favored an intelligent and we'll devised syste m
Of improvements; thought to interfere with and
break up the District government now would be
injurious; witness
Would not GO BACK TO THE OLD PORN OF
GOVERNMENT;
would like to see both branches Of the Legisla-
ture elective; under the present system there
mistake to advertise 30 extensively and to such
a large amount; thought the advertisements in
the Patriot were charged at 81 per square for
each subsequent insertion; Mr.. Harris received
the appointment Of school commissioner, and
when he called upon the Governor to notify him
sation took place, during which jocular remarks
passed; Mr.. Harris said he did not see the Dis
trict advertisements in the Patriot, and re-
marked that ii they were inserted In that paper
they. would reach class Of readers which they
had not reached beforr; shortly after that con-
versation the District advertisements were sent
to the Patriot. 81
Q.-who is editor of the paper now?
A.-That is hard TO tell.
Question by Mr.. Crane: --Coionel, did yen
have any conversation with M E. Shepherd about
the Patriot changing IFS course?
Col. Berrett to Crane, lin very determined
nanner.lEMr. Crane, have answered that
question before; no man OF the District govern
ment dared make such a proposition, and you
know 50 stated, sir.
Mr.. Crane, (seemingly embarrassed at the
manner OF Col. Beri EFT y" did not hear you,
sir" - ..
Col: Berrett We'll, sir, distinctly stated so.
By Ma. Crebg-With great personal respect
Tor the me mbers of the Board Of Public Works.
witness did not hesitate TO say that the board
was burdeDsome expense on the people: be-
heved the members Of the board were skiilful
men and men of ability; the public schools were
conducted upon q much larger and Rrander
scale now than formerly; witness would substi-
Health and place at bis disposal the police force
OF the city; had never given any Attention 10
the canal from scientific standpoint thought
1t should be kept open and dredgsd through:
thought covered drains were the best; NATURAL
water courses were apt to become nuisances :
BY Mr.. chandler:-Had no coubt that
WASHINGTON ewoULp BECOME "A LARGE ctrY:
wes more Impressed With that vieW than ever.
..Q-You believe IL will become thu great ma
Al have no doubt il vin become tn. ers,t
winter watering place Of tie country.
Mr.. Chandler.-Water u net the only adysa.
Mr.. Crebs.lfhe whisky b an advantage,
probably. uauehter.] ~ II II ! -
Witness fesumed:-He had no hesitation in
saying that this city can stard sdebt of SO Geo.
coo, II judiciously expended for the improve