Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-05-27


Mr.. Barney and myself were taken in.
Y. But when the chief engineer of the board
certires 10 circular curb being laid, hasn't tht
board the right 70 assume ii was circular cur /.
A: Yes; suppose so.
MIR. Christy.-But you must remember, MI.
Mattingly, that Governor Shepherd said he ha,
knew it was circular curb.
Mr.. Mattingly.-0h, 1 know all about that
Mr.. Christy.
DIR. BLAZE ON TIRE STAND.
DR.. y. b. Blake, sworn:-Witness said the ill
ing of lots for which he was agent was done h,
party whom he employed and paid out of hi.
own pocket; the Board of Public Works did no.
make payment therefor and charge the same tC
Rhode Island avenue; have been a member OF
the board about seven months; this work wa
done before became member OF the board
the vice president now on any question requir-
ing decision always consults the fellow mem.
bers; one OF the first things tina. struck my at
was that we should have formal meetings and
deliberate on matters; the board is now only
completing old work; no new contracts are
being made; ii wouldn't be wise to do so; We
have 10 means TO make contracts.
.. Had the means run out when you came
M A. rather think they had. One of the
able TO pay our debts. When 1 became a mem
Der OF the board found il largely in debt, with
10 means to pay off,
q. Have you any idea now OF the extent OF
contractors indebtedness? A. Not the re-
hottest. have made no inquiries with refer
eDce TO the boards financial condition.
at its exact financial condition? A. 1 never
have; such things have never been laid before
the board. Certificates are still being issued
and measurements Of work are still being made
q. You intended to straighten things out a.
soon as you could? A. L Intended TO stragh
things out as soon as possible. Mr.. Magruder's
accounts have never been audited; it was one
or the things which struck my attention; the
auditors certificates were regarded as checks
on the treasurer, who paid them in such funds
as he had. Well, L thought that was a loose
O. I'm n fbnrr
Office should be revised by a controller, who
should be law officer in addition to an &C
q. State whether or not there is In the system
ID vogue any check upon the treasurer Of TIT
board? A. dent know Of any check on tn.
treasurer. 1 shouldn't think there was any
check; there may be; do not know.
.. There being no check, is there any mode
by which the committee can get at his account
other than by going through his entire vouch
err! a. Wei really, cannot answer that ques
ton; don't know OF any way to get at his &C
counts except by going through the auditor
ard ueasurers accounts in detail; there is ne,
account Kept which would enable you at One
10 know neither his accounts are correct or not
q. You don't approve of the manner in which
this has been done? A. No, sir; if had had
my way would have had different arrange
ment.
Q. Were you aware that Mr.. Magruder'-
checks do not correspond with his reports? A
No, sir.
Q. Were you aware that Mr.. Magruder wa.
presenting his accounts in th at way to the board:
A. No. sir; was not aware of the fact.
Mir Bass explained the system by which Col
MagrUdeT kept his accounts.
By Mr.. Allison:-Do YOU think a member o.
the board should be its treasurer? A. L think
would be much better ii he was not member
the members have enough TO do without an,
outside matters.
Witness was shown a bill OF John Q. Evans
Tor tagging, which was referred To the auditor
with the endorsement, "If you have the inspec
ton OF this, issue certificates. James A. Ma
gruder."
Q. Do you consider that regular transac
ton? A. Well, il L was the auditor | woulC
satisfy myself that the account was correct.
Q. Did you know that MIR. Magruder drew
checks payable TO himself? Was ne author Zee
TO do that? A. The board never gave him sucl
authority, that l am aware OF; 1 suppose b,
had some authority or he wouldn't have Gone il
q. DO you know how often the auditor settle
with the treasurer? A. Indeed | don't know
anything about it. One reason why think tb.
treasurer should not be a member OF the boar.
Is because /, for instance, would have q deli
eacy In going to one of. my colleagues and ask
ing him TO explain bis business 70 me. AS q
memb Der OF the board, I do not know that tn.
auditor and treasurer have ever had a settle
me5t.
Q. Does the National Metropolitan Banl
allow the treasurer any interest on his deposits:
A. No, sir; not a bit.i
Q. Have you any specific plan for the pay
ment Of the debts OF the board? A. under
stand that assessments due will soon be coming
in, and we will have means to pay our debts.
y. But assessments only cover one-third
thirds? A. Well, have a great respect for
Congress, and think Congress win paw il. lust
debts; If had control of matters would ad-
vertise for proposals of work, aud give the con-
tracts to the lowest responsible bidders.
y. Were you present at a meeting when Adolf
Ciuss was admitted to be perjurer? A. Yes,
sir, was, and voted for it.
30. What evidence did you have that he ad-
mitteS he had perjured himself. A. The evi-
dencetaken before the committee. He said il
his name appeared to certain papers it was a
~ de Of naiff aH "a acfar
think he committed moral perjury.
=. DO you think it was fair to condemn him
In bis absence? Did you know when you passed
the resolution that Mr.. Cluss:wss still a witness
before the committee? A. 1 did not. L think
he CID what was discreditable. Nv mott We wa
not to break down his testimony before this
committee. / am above that.
=. Did you sign the r'port OF the board for
1873? A. did; was not acquainted with thu
details L became member OF the board in
September, and signed the report in Noyem-
Der.
oRRTLRY RECALLED.
b. Oertley recalled 20. Have you examined
by Wright Rlves? Are they correct? A. Yes,
to the best of nay knowledge.
by Mr.. WilsOn:-Q. Who directed you to
make up the statement? A. The Governor.
z. When? A. Sometime last week or the
week before.
q. How many statements have you made ND
Two for the committee, and there is one in tine
report OF the Board Of Public Works; L didn't
make the statements Of payments IN ade by the
old corporation; that was furnished by a clerk
familiar with the work.
q. Do any Of your Connecticut avenue state
ments agree. A. They do not; they all three
have different basis; the results are an APP
proximatioD; wouldn't say that either one was
absolutely correct.
=. For what purpose did you make them up?
A. For this committee. L was not directed to
make any given result. They were gotten up TO
refute Wright Rives' statements. Ihave moth
ing but these tables to submit for the purpose
of refuting Wright Rives. One of the state
ments was gotten up in the auditors office. I
don't wish to be understood as swearing to the
correctness OF the statements.
HUGH MURRAY SWORN.
hugh Murray vi as sworn with reference to an
alleged overpayment on New Hampshire ave-
nue., between G and II etreets:-Mr. Barney
said be bad not worked there; he worked there
for six weeks and Mr.. Vanderberg recei we'd
the pay for it; Vanderberg took gravel out Of
New Hampshire and Virginia avenues; suppose
he took out between five and six thousand yards.
Mr.. Ciuss submitted in evidence the list of
sewers laid before the Board Of Public Works
came in.
TREASURE MAeRUpHR.
Col. Magruder, recalled.-Witnese submitted
vouchers called for q few days since. He also
explained bis request for the payment Of Evans
for tagging, which was q mere request for the
auditor 10 audit the bill.