Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-04-15
TIE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION.
Proceedings Before the House Conn
miftee To-day.

THE CANAL QUESTION AGAIN.
Wm. D. HiSe tcsled:-The revenues OF the
canal during the time he was commissioner
never exceeded Sc GOO a year; thought the aver
age about three or four thousand dollars
annually; was commissioner from 1852 TO lsos;
the oTdifsry expenses of repairs TO the canal
we're FIVE or six thousand dollars annually Whlle
witness was commissioner, and there were no
extraordinary expenses; MI: severson proposed
witness thought the effect OF II would be to ill
up the canal; ordinary lock at IL tn street
then turned into the canal with the expectancy
OF carving out all the sediment; two years
afterwards witness saw the canal WAS filling Gp;
the standing water gave the sediment time to
settle in the canal; the canal is worth D0thiE g
10 the city; it would be convenience to some
few voc d EeTchants; wood can he delivered on
the river front cheaper than il can be in the
canal; witness had purchased wood ~ eord
cheaper on the river front than in the canal;
eS TO the canal answering for q sewer, ii never
would; it was growing nuisance-not only the
bed OF the canal but its borders.
BY Gen. Chipman:-From 1852 TO 1853 the
canal paid much revenue as at any other
time; one commissioner who preceded witness
cole ted one year 5000.
Bv Hr CraIie:-The proposed sewer along the
line of the canal would not be as much of a
filth box the canal, as Ii would empty the
contents into the rIver; the canal has not been
navicable from end to end more than one or
two years out of forty; never stated that if the
cana was opened and connected with the Ches-
apeake ard Ohio canal the revenues would be
$4,000 per aHnum: received a salary OF $500 as
commissioner; il woald cost two or three thOus-
and dollars per aDnum to run dredging ma
chine IN the canal; was in favor of cleaning out
the canal last year, did not anticipate the Tiber
filling up; ii is being arched over and a bottom
put to il, hence dirt cannot wash into il from
the banks; thought the Tiher sewer would carry
of all the water which came down; he wanted
TO see the Yiber arch carried TO Virginia ave-
nue., then the low ground in that locality would
be worth some thiBg.
Question by Mr.. Crane.-What Is your occu-
patton now, Mr.. Wise?
AnsweT.-I am not doing ANYTHING much.
Q.-Haye you any contracts?
A.-NO, sir, 1 have not had contract for
some years.
Q.-Your son is extensively engaged in con-
tracts. II he not?
A-NO, sir.
Mr.. Crane see that some MI. Wise figures
in the contracts.
Mr. wise-I know nothing about that, sir.
General Chipman.-ATe you father OF all the
Wises
Mr. wise.-No, sir. have a good many
though. Laughter
FbCs. J. Gait, recalled, and examined by Mr..
Crane:-Witness has been employed by the
Board of Public Works as superintendent of
THE THEIR ARCH
since October last.
By Mr.. EIdricge:-The Ti5er arch is a very
coed Job there are no defects in il; had never
disCOveTad any defects; witness is a mechanic,
and had been at the work at all times.
J. y W. TGndenbHrg, recalled:-Began to cut
down 18th street about the 18th of May, 1S1 /,
and 18th street on the 26th day of July.
THE GULIcK-FowLER CONTROVERSY.
Berjomin F. SnClr, swOrD:-Is clerk for Gulck
n Bio; knows MIR. Samuel Fowler by sight; he
called TO see Dir. Gulick at the store two or
three times last fall; he left note for Mr..
Quick, and told witness TO tell Mr.. Quick that
Lie wanted Linn 10 call and see him.
Mr.; Chandler Put in evidence the order
of the Board OF Health declaring the
canal to be a nuisance. He stated that he
expected TO close the examination of witnesses
for defence to-day, but had ascertained that
until tomorrow when he expected to be able to
close his case.
Mr. Eldridge suggested that when the com-
mittee adjourn to-day it be until Wednesday.
Mr. Crane vented to know if the list of all
officers lad been furnished by the Board Of
Public Works.
Mr.: Chandler.-Mr: Needs, the auditor of the
board, was here with the books, Mr.. Crane,
ard spent whole afternoon with you to give
YOU the list.
Mr.. Crane just took the amounts, but not
Mr. Chandler-wen we will furnish you the
list if that il all You want.
TIRE EEEF CONTRACT.
TLoS. +. Bon, swOrn:-ls a butcher at 15 Cen
ter market: occupies the same slaughter hOu .e
with Carroll, he slaughteTs good animals; the
meat cut for lie poor house i good meat.
By Mr.. Cranc:-He sent to the IoOr house
ROUNDS and bullions; witness considers that good
Mr. Chandler said he had
A COMMUNICATIONS FROM WV. A.COOE
in relation t. certain charges against him. Nj.
Cook desired his reply Should be made part OF
n FGridge.-we are not investigating Mr..
Vm. =. F,.k. Ii he has anything to say, he
can come le ore the comm ttee as a with. :.
Mr.. CLaHdltT-He merely wants Lis reply to
be made part Of the record.
Mr.. ElGTidgc Judge Poland decided the
other Gay, when he was acting chairman, that
the committee had no right TO investigate Nj
VIM. a. Cook, and hold, too, that We have no
such right
Mr.. Crane.-This community understands W.
a Cook very well.
Mr. Eldridge.-Well, we don't want any side
remarks. We are not going to investigate the
character of every man III the District. guess
they all would not bear investigation either.
The Communication sui mitted by Mr.. Cook
is as follows:
WASHINGTON. D. c.. April -, 1872.
Gtnf'sDs.H: have been informed that on several
part Of the ',memoTialists"5 10 witnesses, when
have Piled that character has been notoriouiy
these questions denunciatory epithots applied to
ne during the heated and bitter Isunici pal cam
{aign Q! $50, COMMONLY called the Bowen and
am 6T ohiesr Of the District savernmsnt-its at
sGe& ny a6aracter ard canducs may he inveiSei in
'he investigation authorized by the House of Rep
mention single sct of my life which to the com
nitIee shall have the appearance even u dishon-
Isso respectfully submit that il is perhaps due to
me that an opportunity should be afforded TO meet
''mem5rislists' have spread ON the records and
piece dirgs Of The committee.
The only accusations of any consequence which
were made against me were presented to tin.
comnr, n council Of the city Of Washington in Is
The parties who originated or disseminated them
q cay prominent and active IN the ranks Of the
D EN- ria is.s and in The pending inv estisation.
At NY quest. the common council carefully and
fully exam. ned these accusations. The result was
10; sin ply yirdication OF my character, but the
cersure Cf my sccusers. The Iepcr TT of The FIST
committee will be found in The Journal o. the 18th
Cornell, vol. ., pp. l2I5 to l270n TIE report was
3 "a ted ~ he
In IL the comm ttee said =" Tha at after rigid and
thoTt ugh Investigation they could net fad a par.
ticle Ct truth in The Ch1.etE; but on the contrary
hTd that Col Wu. \. Cook has borne. from his boy
hcydte the present day, en untl5n:ishCd and ire
prOachetle CHARACTER FOR morality, honesty, integ
fity, and tyeIy trait pertaining to Gentleman Of
the highest standing And that they believe the
accusation brought against him 10 be malicious
hteICus fsseBOCd, gotten up BY his enemies TO de-
fsne and il lure his bGJd EQUATION"
Thy also reported the following, which wa
RsSo'red. That Mr. James Helmes, a member
elected II n the Fourth, but now he Seventh ard
l. deserving the ceLsurt Of this board for having
teen cured by bad to offer such libelous
{ luritns against a good citizen.
This report was sustained by the testimony Ol
statements Of some of the FIST men of the nation
including Governor Gesry, of Pa Hon Jos Casey
late chief justice Of ths court Of claims Hon ID.
Z cartier. tho Ia . Hon. John COvOde, rol. John W
/ Eorrey Gen. james A. kin, L. y. army. and d on
, francis Jordan, secretary Of the eommonwe alth 0
] Penrsy iyania.
The TepsItof the second committee will bs foun,