Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1872-02-01

hundred taxpayers aud citizens and the
resolution OF the House.
The mcmOrialists were represented on the
occasion by the following taxpayers and
clHEcnsl" Ex-watr registrar, J. II. Cranes
ex.englueor OF tho Washington NAL, B. Sew
erson; ex-chlef engineer Of the tlre depart
mont, George Holmes; ex-couucilmau, James
Holmes; ex-physlelan to the smallpox hos
piial. DR.. Stephenson, aud a few others, none
Of whom were employed by the body they
claim IL so corrupt although several made
extra efforts In That line.
The party was headed by A. g. Riddle,
who announced himself rs the attorney to
conduct the case.
All the members Of the committee were
present except Mr.. Poland, OF Vermont.
The following witnesses who had boon
summoned by request Of the momorlallsts
were present. Matthew @. Emery, Maurice
Peachln, J. V. W. Vanderburgh, VIM. n.
Webb, Columbus Alexander, A. A. Wilson,
Henry X. Randall, John Lenthall, John Y.
Webb, and Chas. Mason.
Mr.. Starkweather called tho committee TO
order and announced that every facility
would be given 70 members Of the press TO
report the investigation, and that an Official
reporter would be present, as u was the de-
sire Of tho committee that full publicity
should be given 10 the investigation.
Mr.. A. q. Riddle announced that be APP
peared for the petitioners.
Mr.. W. X. Chandler announced that he
appeared on behalf Of the District Of Column
bia, at the request OF Gov. Cooke.
THE F-sTREET GRADE.
Mr.. Riddle stated that they would cou-
menco the Investigation upon the eleventh
charge, that contracts Involving enormous
expense have been made unlawfully, and be-
fore appropriations were made for carrying
them out," and would offer tor the cOnslderl-
ton Of the committee some evidence touching
the Improvement OF Y street, west Of Seven
tenth street He quoted the act OF the
Slxty-eighth Council appropriating S6O0 to
grade and trim that street, aud said that sub
sequently controversy arose between the
Mayor and Board Of Public Works In
relation to the work. Tho Board Of Public
Works claimed that they had the rlglt 10
control the streets. The board did take pos
session Of T street, and changed the grade
/ thereof, made excavations and improved the
street, At a cost Of sS00, 900.
/ Mr.. Eldridgc. Mr.. Riddle, Il seems 10 me
that you had better 60 on with the testimony,
instead OF taking up our time In making these
statements.
Mr.. Riddle. am only stating what pro-
| pose 10 do.
Mr.. Riddle then quoted from the letter Of
Mayor Emery TO the House OF Delegates 10
relation 10 the improvement of r street (here.
toiore publishod;) 4 memorial from property
holders on street against the Improvement
and the letter Of Governor Cooke (hereto-
fore published) In regard to the improve
ment.
Mr.. Eldridge. II you offer these In evil
dence, 1t Is best TO read them, as your state.
ments, not sworn TO, are not evidence.
Mr.. Riddle then read the above papers, and
asked that ex.Mayor Emery be sworn.
TESTIMONY or EN-MAYoR EMERY.
Matthew g. Emery sworn and examined by
Mr.. Riddle: The appropriation OF s6O0 was
made by the Councils to trim Y street, from
Seventeenth to Nineteenth. Witness was Ap
piled TO by Mr.. A. r. Shepherd 10 issue al
order TO have the street trimmed, as that gen
tl0man was building row of houses there
In conversation with Mr.. Shepherd, witnes,
understood that 5000 would be ample 10 pay
for the Improvement. Witness authorized
bis secretary to draw an order for the work
10 be done, which he did. A few days afteI
witness learned that the grade Of the street
was being changed. Sent for the contractor
aud asked him by whose authority the chang,
was being made. He replied by the Board o
Public Works. Witness told the contractor
u he was working under the order Of tn
Board OF Public Works that he (witness) ha,
nothing further 10 do with II. Witness un
derstood that when he Issued the order 4
trim the street thesidowalk and cutters shout,
not be disturbed.
By Mr.. Chandler; Witness went out O
versy on the part Of witness with the Board
OF Public Works. Witness made no Opposi
ton TO the Board OF Public Works hawks
control Of the streets.
By Mr.. Eldridge; Mr.. Shepherd brought
witness the bill which passed the Council 70
finished looks very we'll. Thought Il was i'm
proved; thought Mr.. Shepherds honses were
made more valuable by Ii. One-sixth OF tn,
expense fell upon Mr.. Shepherd. Though
Mr.. Shepherd had fourteen houses In BIZ
block there; thought the present grade Of I
street was not that contemplated by Mr.
Randolph Coyle when the city was laid out
WHAT Mr.. PEACHIS KNOWS.
Maurice Peachin, sworn and examined b,
Mr.. Riddle Witness was secretary TO mayo
Emery. The date Of the order for trmmlnl
z street and the approval OF the bill thereto
was the same. Witness made out the con
tract and requlsltion upon the auditor. Tn
contract was subsequently, destroyed by III,
mayor, who said Il was Of no use, as Tn
work was being done by the Board OF Publ
Works.
By Mr.. Roosevelt, Witness, at the reques
of Mr.. Vanderburgh, the contractor, did no
put the price 10, leaving 1t to DO settled be
tween the contractor and the mayor.
tue CONTRACTOR ON THE STAND.
]. V. W. Yanderburgh sworn, and exam
lined by Mr.. Riddles Witness was the con
, tractor 10 do the work on Y street. commence
the work under an order from Mayor Emery
signed contract with him. Had no othe
contract for that work. Graded street
from Seventeenth TO Twentieth street. Gu
the street down between o and 10 feet be
tween Nineteenth and Twentieth streets; Gu
II down feet at Seventeenth street; all th
= trees on the street were taken down. Got NJ
order from Mr.. Forsyth TO change the grade
Did not remember what he had been paid 70
s the work no had done ON the street Coul
! not remember the amount. Had other cou
! tracts besides that. Witness cut Elghteent
: street down, from New York avenue TO Penn
| sylyanla avenue.
BY Mr.. Chandler Witness did all The Worl
! under the direction Of Mr.. Forsyth.
By Mr.. Roosevelt! Witness wanted % cent
! from Mayor Emery per cubic yard for GU
, 10 cents.
TIE PRICE PAID.
By Mr.. Eldridge; Had an Understandable
with the Board of Public Works as 10 gettin
pay for the work. Witness made no bal
gain with Mr.. Shepherd about the worl
The price which witness received for th
work was too little, received 30 cents pc
cubic yard. Had not made dollar on th
, street. Had 10 carry the surplus earth frou
l street to the canal. Mr.. Forsyth recon
1 mended that witness should receive 20 cent
he Board OF Public Works then 80 ordered
Received 30 cents per cubic yard for the frs
= two feet on account Of II being nearly a
i gravel and could not be plowed Made ap
pllcation 10 the board for 40 cents per var
Tor the first two feet.
By Mr.. Harmer The 40 cents include,
the hanlingi he received no pay for hlllng
4 Mr.. Forsyth gave Nitness directions /
change the grade.
, Mr.. Riddle requested the witness to max
/ an estimate OF the money he had received 70
the work by tomorrow.
, General Chapman suggested that the Boar
, Of Public Works be called upon ~ furuis
/, such information.
! Mr.. Chandler said the board would furnis
: all such information, II the gentlemen d,
sired II.
, Mr.. Riddle then read a memorial frol
! prOperty-hOldeTs on + street against III
) change OF the grade In the street.
Mr.. Eldrldge asked who that memorial wa
signed by.
Mr. Riddle replied he did not know; did NJ
Know how many persons signed Ii.
c TKsrIMoHI or VICTIM.
. VIM. b. Webb, sworn; Witness resides u
= Ibis street. between Nineteenth and TweI
tieth. Witness prepared the memorial ju.
read. Il was signed by majority OF Oh
{ property-hOlders ON tue street. The wOr
was commenced In May, and 10 such wa