National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-03-20
TIE coal CONTRACTS.
The Testimony for the Dcfcute Amended
Iln.n nj Tho I,n.n Inst NInhi

The Testimony for tho Defcutc Amended
Close Of tho case Last Might.
The investigating committee appointed by the
Board Of Public School Trustees, consisting Of
Messrs. Harris, Rhees, Scott and Champlin. to
examine into the alleged shortneas OF weight In
the coal furnished by Mr.. william Guluand, coal
contractor, met last night at the Franklin school
building.
Mr.. L. q. Hlne said that there was some mis-
understanding IS to the testimony Of Mr. Alte-
mus "a published, and he would like TO have
that witness recalled, TO make some points clear,
The committee consented, and Mt. Altemus said
mat his testimony was not correctly reported.
He had said that when the nrst order for coal
came he sent for Mr.. GatChel, but he could not
be found, and the order was len uunlled until
the next morning. He then told Mr.. Gulnan1 OF
II, and he said "Send the coal"
BY Mr. IIinc Mr.. Guinand never knew that he
aligned Mr.. GatChcls name to the ticket; had
never seen him do II. The tickets always were
done up in bundles, and sent with the bills to
Mr. Guinand.
MI. Altcmus testified that he told Mr.. Gulnand
that he signed Mr.. Gatchels name, and that he
did not afterwards tell him to stop.
Me- Scott understood witness 10 say that he
tigded the nrst ticket because II was an emer-
Rency case, and that he (scotO then asked the
witness how he accounted for all the rest he had
signed.
Mr.. Chamrnn remembered that Mr.. Atemus
admitted the elgning of the name OF Gatchel to
to the fact that the school needed coal and Mr..
Gatchel could not be found and that Mr. Gul-
nand had replied q" DO the best you can"
Mr.. Nltcmus resumlng. by Mr.. Hine: Did not
think Mr.. Guinand knew that witness signed
Mr.. Gatchels name; never told him so. Had the
entire charge Of the tickets and sent the coal.
VT. Gatchel never weighed ton Of coal for any
" the public schools previous To the inyestlga-
ton at the yar,l Of witness, but iutrusted every
thing to him.
Nj. Guinand said that he understood Mr.. Har.
tis TO state at the last meeting that the testimony
was closed. lie was willing to waive the point
witnesses that could have been produced, but Il
was growing late and he desired TO get home.
Mr. Champaign thought II was distinctly under
stood that the only testimony to be adduced
after that meeting was In explanation Of that
already offered lie moved that Mr.. GuinAnd be
permitted TO make whatever statement he de-
sired and with that the matter should close
The motion was adopted.
Mr.. GulnRnd said that he had not a great deal
10 say, but wished 70 speak Of certain parts Of
The testlmony-with regard to that portion
wherein II appeared that Mr. Gatchel had ac-
cess TO his books. lie wished TO say that no
man hsd Access G 70 ms books except MS clerks
tons had been sent to the schools he cane to the
clerk AMI through him was furnished with the
information lie wanted no patching up In the
matter, but desired everything to come out In
the emergency case mentioned he felt that the
coal must be furnished or the school closed, and
he gave the order that the coal must 20 out
Mr.. Harris. Are you familiar with the law for
weighing coal7
Nj. G1lnand was not He remembered taking
The last order Of twenty-five tons came In on
Friday. The lanitors did not want coal sent to
them on Saturday, because they had other bust.
meas than putting II away to attend to. The
tickets showed that 1t was sent on Monday. liz
had never weighed ton Of coal for the public
schools, and had never deirauded any Of them
MI. Harris. You are responsible for the actor
Of your CLERKS?
Mr.. Guinand. Morally, I am.
Mr.. Harris. Have you them stl In your EN-
Mr. Guinhnd have, sir. ResumIng. said tina
ne did not Know anything about the matter bu
took inc oiils as ihey were presented by Mr.: Al
The case at the supply yard could not be avoid
cd. 1t was impossible TO weigh the coal at tins
time. He had always done the best he could 10
the First, Second and Third dlsttcts In that e,
Ceedingy cold weather the scales became frozer
and twas impossible for any dealer to weig
coal such things had happened before to cot
merchants. His yard was three miles from HI
Franklin school building. Mr.. Marlows WI
much nearer, and he could furnish coal bettI
IN December than he could, because he had
pavement all the way. Could fraud or forgery /
charged to him7 lie had tried 10 act honest
IN the matter. lie might have neglected tn
ter, for he was deeply interested in son
railroad matters. He Entrusted his buslne
chiefly to his clerks, and believed they were no.
est. II the Investigation was carried further !
would prove that he had not bought his way Of
or furnished the janltors or trustees with coal
contract prices Whenever he took a contra
he fuinlled Il TO the letter. and could produce IL
tiers from the Departments compllmentinR hi
for the manner 10 which his work had been don
He had applied himself diligently to his bus
ness until he had grown old, In body Al leas
u the gentlemen could show Culpabilty In n
matter let them do so. lie hoped the commit,
and trustees would do him Justice. II there wi
any criminallty In the matter the courts we
open, and they could test II there. lie shou
demand every dollar for wood and coal furnish,
Question by Mr.. Rhees: Search for NJ
Gatchel to weigh the coal; possibly he would
TO the yard, aud make out tickets and leave the