Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-03-07
the DISTRICT GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION
Proceedings before the House Com.
mittee To-day.


meeting that the counsel for the memorialists
should name some time when they would close
their side OF the investigation. He hoped that
time would be named now.
MIR. Eldridge, acting chairman, said il would
be decided after all the committee should be in
" ~ Muller, swOrn:-ls the publisher of the
| the District government; became connected
with the paper in October; previous to that
| tine about S10O worth of advertising had been
done for the Board of Public Works; since wit
ness became connected with the paper had adj
| vertsed and rendered account therefor
amounting to $500; Mr.. Stanton said the
charges were too high, and deducted therefrOm
| 5000; received St, 500 for that account, which
was for the election advertisement the 81 200 900
loan act, payment of interest on the bonds,
Piedmont railroad company, a proclamation of
| the Governor giving notice of a general cleo
ton, &c. had received, in all, from the District
government for advertising, 81 1880; had pub
lished the laws in German, and had an account
OF LBS for that. which account is not yet paid
had few other small bills; the total amount OF
his claim for advertising was 90, 6i7.50.
BY Mr. COOmbs All the bills were for adj
yertising; did no job work for the District gov
eTnmt mt; the bills were rendered before the
election to Mr.. Stanton, the secretary Of the
District.
By MIR. Phi Hips The 4nseiqey is printed in
the German language, and many Germans can.
not read English; about One-third OF the prop
erty- holders here are Germans, and One-thrd
OF the taxes are paid by them many Germans had
no means of knowing what was going on in pub.
lie affairs except through the German paper:
the advertisements were charged at the rate OF
81 square, the usual rates; received no paw for
translatiOns; thought he was entitled to IN )re
than the English papers.
Mr.. COombs.-What is the circulation of your
Mr. Miller.-T do not think that is a proper
subject to be inquired into here.
Mr. COOmbs.-Do you print tive hundred papers
Mr.. Miller-I don't think that question is
proper.
Mr.. COombs.-I do not insist upon an answer
MIR. Crebs said the same question had been put
to other witnesses, and they had not been re-
quired to answer; he did not think it proper
therefore TO compel Mr.. Miller to answer.
Mr.. Miller.-That is the only reason decline
TO answer; because otter publishers have not
been compelled to answer.
Mr.; CIane.-Are you the editor of the paper?
NJ Miller am the responsible editor.
Mr.. Crane.-ffave you any other office?
Mr.. Miller am assistant District Attorney
for the District of Columbia.
Mr. Harmer.-By whom were You appointed?
Answer. BY Governor Cooke; the advertise
ments were sent to the paper; applied to the
Cove nor for them.
BY Mr.. Phillips.-Capt. Albert Grant an
preached the partner OF witness and offered to
buy out the paper to run in the interest of the
opposition, but no arrangement to that effect
was made.
Capt A. Grant.-I should like to be upon the
stand on that point.
MIR. Eldridge submitted a sworn statement
from the Patriot Office showing that the amount
claimed by that paper for advertising
sc ,Eg1.ss of which amount S6,547.13 had been
paid, and S2GO.75 was unpaid.
Copt ". W. Moore, sworn.-Has resided here
forty-three years; was a member OF the city
councils for many years; is a member OF the
present house OF delegates; has reviewed the
papers submitted to the committee by the Dis
trct government, and compared them with the
expenses of the old government; had prepared
q state ment showing the result OF such compar-
ison; had been requested to do so by Mr.. Green:
that statement he asked permission to read
Mr.. Phillips said this was a matter of
ARGUMENT AND NOT TESTIMONY.
III was SIMPLY comparison OF one part OF the
testimony with another, which could be done By
counsel.
Mr.. Green said they proposed TO contradict
the statement OF the Governor as to the amount
OF patronage given to the newspapers, by Capt.
Moore, who was on one of the committees in the
legislature to examine into that subject.
Gen. Chapman said be thought Mr.. Moore
might submit any facts he had, but il wouldn not
be proper for him to submit an ANALYSIS derived
from his comparison.
Mr.. Starkweather.-Ift this is in the nature OF
an essay sucn a. we heard from Mr.. SeyersOn in
regard 10 the canal, object TO it. 1 want Mr.
Moore TO give all the facts he has, but the com
mittee will remember that at least three-fourths
Of Mr.. SeversOn's statement was not one OF
facts, but contained his general views, and, a
such, were matters of argument for counsel
MIR. Eldridge.-Whch one of the Governor
statements do yOH propose to contradict?
Mr.. MOOre.-The one on printing. In the
Governors statement he has omitted Sc s9S.3S::;
paid the National Republican for advertising the
loan and Piedmont railroad acts, and 81 ,32e
paid to the Grand Army Journal.
Gen. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS from each
paper have been here. Now, MIR. Coombs, dc
seems to me those bills will show any differences
as to amount between them and the Governors
statement better than this testimony.
Mr.. Harmer to Mr.. MOORE think the same
discrepancy which you wish to show has already
been explained.
Mr. Crebs said he considered the committee
as court, and Jury; therefore, if any irrele
want testimony should come in it need not be
considered. He was, therefore, willing to hear
the statement.
Mr.. Starkweather thought it Improper TO in
cumber the record with all kinds of irrelevant
testimony.
Mr.. Eldridge.-I would like 10 know from YOU.
Mr.. Green, il you propose to change the facts as
stated by the printers themselves?
A.-NO. sir.
Mr.. Eldridge-Then there is no use in offer
ing this testimony, as we already have these
The witness then stated that he had examined
the account returned to the committee by w
5. Huntington, cashier OF the First National
Bank, and that it was not correct and pro-
eeeded to read from statement which he had
prepared.
Mr.. starkweather.-Now Mr.. Moore, it will
net do for you to
ATTEMPT TO CONTRADICT W. s. HUNTINGTON
10y this comparison which you have drawn. Ii
You have any facts to show that his statement is
incorrect, those we want to hear.
Mr.. Eldridge.-Do you know that the collec-
tons every day were deposited there?
At Is the designated depository.
amount was paid out daily, for expenses?
MI. Moore said he referred particularly to the
ten year sinking fund, out OF Which nothing
could be paid except for interest, which amount
ed to $13,5OO semi annually.
MI. Phillips said he desired to inform the
committee that interest was paid at the National
tional bank. 3' -'"
Mr.. Moore said that was the interest provided
for by the sinking fund commissioners. The
people had been assessed and taxed for the nav
ment OF these ten year bonds, and the money
was not to tire credit of the fund.
Mr.. Chapman These are conclusions which
you arrive at after assuming certain premises 10
be true? :"
Mr.. Moore.-Yes; but l know the assessments
were made.
Mr.. Phillips.-We win explain all these dis
crepancies, sir, when it comes our time, They
are only apparent and not real
Nj. Moore.-That may be so. The next sub.
ject have taken up is paper c.
SALARIES OF OFFICERS
Witness then proceeded to read the list hereto
fore published, and stated that the Governor
did not include in the list the salaries of the
governor, Secretary of State, members of the
council and Board Of Public Works
Gen. Chipman.-Are those salaries paid by the
DISTRICT government
Mr. MOore-No, SIR
MI Eldridge--Those salaries are all Maid nv
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