New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-06
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AFFAIRS.
T,F sFNA!CrIhL MEMBERS OF TIE DISTRICT IN
vEsuGA1ING COMMITTEE.
'rY rsucRAru TO ruF uIBUSEI

VEsUGATING COMMITTEE.
Try rErrGRAru 70 TWR TnBUNEl
WAsru,GIoN. Feb. Mr. Carpenter was not as
sucoes-ful u the selection of the Senatorial members
OF the District of Columbia Investigating Commit
tee as Sneaker Blaine was. Nj Frolnghuysen, hls
6rst choice. though recognized to he man OF the
highest character has shown himself TO be natural
"whitewashcr0 As Chairman of the Committee,
who investigated the charges against Senator Pome-
roy last Winter, although the testimony all pointed
10 his guilt which has since been substan-
TALLY confessed, and there wasi no testi-
mOuy ia MI POmcroys defense except his own
general denial, he displayed an astonishing lac oil
comprehension OF the evidence or belief IN the IN
nate virtue Of the Senatorial Office shat was really
wonderful. Mr.. COnklng, who was next appointed
to be chairman of the Senate part of the Committee,
was disqualified as being an open apoogist and de-
fender OF the Ring and had the decency to recognize
that fact himself. Mr.. Carpenter has now offered
the place to Nh Morton, and the friends Of fair in
vestioation hope that he will accept for several
notable occasions recently hc has shown DISPOSE
ton to get The truth out of witnesses no matter
whom IT hurts OF helps The remainder of the Com
mttee Messrs Boutwell, and Thurman, is satisfac-
tory 10 everybody who desires to the truth come
out.
An ADDRESS BY W W. CoRCORAN-HE CORRECTs
CERTAIN FALSE IMPRESSIONS, AND SPEAKS
PLAINLY OF THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
lTROM An OCCASIONAL CORES PoSDEST or THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-Mr. w. w. COrcOran,
weltkuowu 10 Washington not only for his business
capacity but for his integrity aud the judicous ana
ber manner 10 which hc has managed ms own affairs
beng unable to obtain a hearing III any newspaper Of
wide circulation printed in Washington has published
an address to his feowcitizens in Baltimore journal
The address was called out by the attempt to cast odum
upon him IN the memorial OF the Governor Of the Dis
trict % Congress by statement Of his failure TO pay
certain special taxes Mr. COrcOran asserts that he has
never endeavOred 70 prevent the Improvement OF the
city and says he refused 70 pay the special taxes be
esuse he believed the work for which they had been
assessed was not in compliance with the law, and
also because the assessment was upon an eXces-
syo cost OF the work. The work given 10 persons
It's own choosing by the Board OF Public Works with
out competition; twas IN great degree improperly
done and in some cases the assessment amounted TO
more than the value of tho property. The memorial OF
the Governor, MT COrCOran says, has led many 10 sup
pose that he Is entirely default fora public dues aud
correcting impression he gives some interesting
facts on Nov g. 1879 he gave check c22,3Ol OO in
full for his individual and fducary accounts for the
year ending 3d. He did not take advantage Of
the then legal discount Of per cent nor did he accept
offer Of an editor proprietor OF OF the daily
newspapers Of the District who has been prominent in
the recent assault upon him, to have his general tax
bills receipted at discount Of l6 per cent There are
other cases IL which general taxes have been
paid subject 10 this excessive discount, ana
M. Corcorau offers 10 name them when prov
elly called on. lie denies that his refusal TO
pay the special taxes causes distress among IN, ine
h6oTers OF the District and says eeTthcates Oh zen
against nearly all property assessed nave Deei H"ue
AID .o,d and the contractors paid To pay the liens
would benefit only the holders OF me eemcaS
hpecal attention "a given to the bad hiankeuent o.
District AFT ira and mention Is made OF tue lac tbdt
money is raised in New-York by pledglng wv ID = per
cent securities for 500 Mr.. COrcOrdn closes MS ADDRESS
a. follows: NO opposition so very Ia'tiOus aud en-
trcy devoid Of merit the one ~ our lGs' IS cAai"c
brzed 10 be could do the damage u u charged with,
ana especialy m the face of the Endorsement eNecu
i've egislatiye judicial and popular, claimed foi is
Iistricf governments There has been trouble az the
root Of the whole system, showing l-e ~ variety 81
and resulting IN the financial troubles
which have surrounded IT,"