Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-03-11
THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION.
Proceedings before the House Com.
mittee To-Day.

The Congressional investigation into the
charges against the Board of Public Works and
the new District government was resumed this
morning before the House Committee on the
District Of Columbia. Judge Poland in the chair
Mr.. Domaine, recalled:-Witness reiterated his
former statement in relation to being refused
certain information relative to grade Of streets
at the Office OF the BoardOf Public Works; when
he was surveyor OF the city the grade book was
always open 10 the inspection of the citizens
On cross examination witness said new grades
did not care to see it.
II. r. Foteler, swOrn:-witness took a note to
Riley A. Shinn from Col. Magruder.
Mr.. Green asked what Shinn said, upon which
Gen. Chapman objected.
Judge Poland said il would not be legal eyi-
dence should witness answer as to what Shinn
said.
Gen. Chapman said it was evidently Mr.
Green's purpose to impeach Mr.. Shinn's testi-
mony in advance.
Mr.. Eldridge did not think the declaration of
Mr.. Shinn legal evidence.
Finally the witness was permitted to testify
that Shinn told him the letter was a notice to
come and sign his contract. which he had already
Mr.. Green then called attention to the list of
contracts furnished by the Board of Public
Works Works: wherein they report the contract Of
ton with the evidence of Mr.. Fowler was suffi-
cent to impeach the reply OF Mr.. Shepherd.
which says that no contract was made with Mr..
Shinn.
Mr.. Green then asked for the estimates tor
dredging the James creek canal, made by Mr..
Forsyth, engineer; also, the contract with Tee
myer Il Co. for dredging the Washington canal.
Crane:-Witness is a flour and feed merchant;
has lately been contractor; has an interest in
jackson place; Mr.. Lewis and Mr.. Morse are
interested in these contracts; received contract
9Th Of M ay last; work was suspended about two
months, because the Board of Public Works
N IN un EEs hau raI
FOURTEENTH STREET,
from H to M street; work already completed
will amount to about S67 900, including curbing;
Peter Campbell, personal friend, went to the
board to intercede and let them proceed with
the work; Mr.. Campbell had no pecuniary in
terest in the work; personal friendship only in
By Mr.. Phillips:-Mr. Campbell was a dele
gate from bis district; the work was one of
great public Importance.
BY Mr.. Eldridge:-We gave bond of 800 900
for the faithful performance OF the contract;
MIR. Lewis, my partner. is not connected with
the District government; the only place where
popularity of this pavement is that the blocks
lock into one another; best white pine is used;
cost OF this pavement per square yard is $50.
Mr. Crane asked witness if he did not agree to
support MIR. Campbell provided he (Mr. C.)
would get him the contract.
Witness said he supported Mr.. Campbell
because he believed he was the best man; moth
ing was said about his (witnesse's) contract
d. w. Green, swOrn:-The witness was asked
by Mr.. Green, counsel for the meInorialists,
what occurred at a meeting of
TIE REPUBLICAN, CLUB OF THE 1IrH DISTRICT
on the 18th of October last. Previously to this
he handed to witness a copy of the C4S.ea and
requested to know If the report OF the meeting
in that journal was correct, which was objected
to.
Mr.. Phillips said that what Mr. Joseph Will
liams might have said at that meeting against
the District government could not be regarded
Judge Poland conceded with Mr.. Phillips in
this view.
Mr.. Starkweather, who had just come in, re-
garded such evidence As wholly inadmssibe.
MIR. Green was finally allowed to read from
the Citizea what MIR. Williams said at the meet
ing referred to. MIR. Green said he read this
speech IN order to show how the loan bill was
Carried.
BY Mr.. Roosevelt-witness thought some
voters had been intimidated before they went to
the polls.
BY MIR. Eldridge:-Didn't know that any
member OF the District government took any
part in this intimidation; he didn't know much
about the last election any way; took no inter
est in 1t; colored men were a little more sus cep-
tiblc to bribery than white men; didn't vote at
all OH the loan bill; don't know OF the use of
money paid for votes AT the last elections; liquor
was used at the last election.
Mr.. Eldridge.-The republican party of this
not?
witness.-Yes, sir; the republican party being
In power, must be supported by liquor Laugh
Mr.. EId1idge.-Do you belong to the republi-
Witness-Yes, sir; am a good republican; I
always 80 in for right and honesty.
MT. EldIidge.-Well, then, you had better
join the other party. lLaughter.l
BY MI. HarIneE:-Witness voted Tor Mr.. BOs-
well; didn't know whether he was in favor of
the loan or not.
By Mr.. ROosevelt:-Colored men were brought
IN from Maryland and Alexandria Just before
election to work for the Government; don't
know whether they voted at the election or not:
had no conversation with any Of them about
voting, and saw none Of them at any of the
BY Mr.. Crane:-Had no knowledge OF nquor
being dealt out at the polls.
ByMr: Roosevelt heard of threats be-
ing made before election that colored men
would be remanded to slavery if they didn't
George Holmes, sworn.-was at the republican
meeting in the 18th district Oh the 18th of Octo-
Der last, and made report Of the meeting
Mr. Phillips asked that Mr.. Peter Campbell
Mr.. Campbell said he had been here eyery
day since the 9th OF last month waiting 10 be
sworn. He had been
CHARGED WITH BEING IMPLICATED IN A CON-
TRACT,
and desired to be sworn.
Peter Campbell sworn, and examined by Mr..
Crane.-Is chairman OF the committee OIL appro-
priatons in the House of Delegates; had no con-
versation with Gov. Cooke in regard to adyer.
Using debts of the District; the $1,000 900 loan
bill originated in the House Of Delegates
MI NIdHc sdiu he desired 10 snow that the
loan bill as it passed had no enacting clause:
that the title did not indicate its purpose
Judge Poland said such evidence, in his opin-
ION, was inadmissable. The charge In effect IL
that the members were induced to pass tile hill
through corrupt motives.
Wlness resuming Tickets in nv district were
printed by GibsOn was present at meeting
held in the 18th district last week.
Gen. Chapman objected. He thought the
committee could not come down to so late a
date.
Mr.. Crane said he wanted to show that the
members OF that meeting endeavored to intim-
llate the persons who are prosecuting this in
vestigation.
The witness was finally allowed to state who
spoke at the meeting.
BY Mr. Eldridge Nothing was said at this
meeting
TO INrIMIpArR THE MEMoRIALIsrs:
he himself hid reelected somewhat severely on
them; he Was sorry his remarks had not been
printed, a II might have done some good
nir. Chipman.-Mr. Crane, do you feel especi-
ally intinfdsted this morning?
Mr.. Crane-No; but 1 have heard that threat
ening language was used at that meeting
Witness then stated that he was interested in
no contr act for street paving; he was Interested
in no way whatever with any contracts given
out by the District government; he did ask the
Board Of Public Works for the 18th street paving
contract for his friend Hewett, who Is his near
neighbor, an honest citizen, and q good man:
IN infercediDg for him he believed he was doing
bis duty as legislator; ho thought good men