New-York tribune., 1874-04-14
was always temporarily let at the contractors own
figures.
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.

WITH THE PAVING CONTRACTS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO rHB TRIBuSn,I
WASHINGTON, April 13.-The memorialists at "hoso
instance the District investigation was begun have
nearly closed their case and the counsel for the DIS
trict Government will begin their defense TINS
week. Several matters in which the memorallsts
propose to introduce testimony, and especially an
investigation as to false will be post
poned until witnesses from q distance arrive anu
the report of the engineers employed by the board
| is received. The evidence to-day showed the dlspo-
sltion of 900 of the $4,000 which INC
contractors. De Golyer and Mcclellan, gave to Chit
tenden to apply to the payment OF the pupii.
debt. Col. II. G.. Parsons received $loVo oi
| it and Rev. Mr. Brown $4,000. Col Parsons. "no
| is now. though not at the time the contract was
awarded a member of the House from ONO, came
before the Committee at its afternoon sesson' aho
read written statement in regard to his connection
| with the contract. He claimed to have appeared
simply as an attorney to argue before the Board OF
Public Works the superiority of the De Goyer
patent pavement and denied that he had ever done
| ANYTHING else. Gen. Garfield was employed by Mr.
Parsons to prepare an opinion when the latter was
called away from the city and was paid for his ser
vices. 1t still remains for the Committee to trace
out the $4,000 in notes which De Golyer and NC
| Clellan gave at or about the same time they paid
the money, and several witnesses who are supposed
! to know something about it have been summoned
An amusing episode occurred during the session
of the Committee to-day. Mr.. Gibson, correspondent
| of The Ne,o- York Sum- was called to testify TO an
offer made by Board superintendent to dispose OF
| contracts. After he had given his evidence MI.
Harrington. Secretary Of the District and one Oh
| Gov Shepherds counsel, pounced upon him WIN
considerable ierceness and ordered nm 10 prouuoo
before the Committee slips from The Sun containing
| l. NJ ed
know that he would, as he was not being inyestl-
gated. lie then informed the Chairman of the Com
mittee that he was willing to give the Committee
all the particulars or general information he pos
sessed but that he could not go through the files Oh
The Sun and state who was the author Of every artl-
| Gle or letter. Mr. Harrington, who was much
excited gave notice that he should cross-examlne
| Mr. Gibson at the next meeting of the Committee
| ANOTHER REPORT OF THE PRoCEEDISGs-THE STATE
| MENT OF Mr.. PARSONS IN FULL
| GENERAL PRESS DIsPATcH.]
| WASHINGTON, April 13.-The District OF
Columbia Investigating Committee examined several
witnesses this morning. Samuel Hilton testified az 10
| measurements on Pennsyvana-ave. East. Horato
Early complained OF the measurements on Est j. W.
Hopkns testified that he offered to get any con-
tracts for Mr. Qulnby the latter had testified before
| the Committee. A. NJ. Gibson, correspondent OF he
Neo York Su said that last Spring be heard HOPKINS
ask c. H. Parsons II he wanted any conracts that II lie
did he being Superintendent Of the Board OF Pubic
Works for the Eastern Division of the city could con-
| troll them
After recess Richard C. Parsons member OF Congress
from the Cleveland (oho) District, and read
! a written statement. substantially as follows:
Before proceeding the matter before the Committee
@ay be PTonsI 70 e sss United
States in 1896 with Its nominal salary did so upon the
distinct understanding with the ChlefJ that
acceptance OF the office should In no manner prevent the
practice Of my profession lawyer, either at Ceve
land or Washington, any tune when the same did not
interfere with the discharge OF my duties as MARSHAL
Tnis understanding, OF course, excepted tho rlgh 70
practice IN the Supreme Court of the United States or
In the spring Of is72 think in April. was retained
by Mr. Chittendenas lawyer on behalf OF the hrn OF
DE Golyer Mcclellan OF chicago to argue before the
superiority of their patent for bored wood pave
MFR sd nk
At this time large number OF persons from nineren %
parts Of the country were In Washington with divers
propositions for paving the city. and the struggle lcr
The work be ordered by the Board was very great
it would. in Judgment, supersede all other
kinds Of wood pavement. and make tho way
at Philadephia as that city was then deberatng
to the proprety of paving its streets largely WIN
wood The pamphlets, papers, aiidayits statements.
printed DOCUMENTS, etc., relating not ohy 10 the Goer
patent but all otner patents then pehong node h
of the pro posed work, and gave the wnOe SUBJECT
| act for him, and being satisfied that the patent was
really most valuable one, appeafeg altet ainpo n
1
session in presence OF number OF spectators ana
my argument In favor OF the superiority oi tne 10
Goyer pavement. The Price at which the work was 10
be- 6oue was not alluded TO by me- but my understanding
was price allowed by the Board for tho best
woodcured pavement was suDstantiay the same III HI
| cases but Of this do not speak positively.
remember that Mr. Chitteuden said they must bring
their machinery the wood from Chicago, ana
this involved an extra expense OF $4,000 The point ar
gued by related to the SUPERIORITY OF the pavement
the method Of curing wood It's durability, the history OF
aud whion OF an the patents inen before tue
Board In the hight OF experience ana al tue iaets pre-
| ed Lo q
fetal the public interests The Board gave me long
aud patient hearing, each member at times asking ques
tions, aud entering with lively discussion Dto the merits
| OF the several patents presented - .ou.o,,
At the time was retained Ia this case Ga scarcely
beleve had buG one conversation with nun, and
Clients could be heard before the Board Mr. shepherd
SAID had choice Whatever as TO VINO dd tue WORK
be laid that was not OF rstclass durability aud work.
mansh respect. with Gov Cooke VINO was an oa
and intimate friend never spoKo but once my recoi-
lection on the subject and then tho purpose Of ask
lug IL ne had not promised MI Huntington, theh He
work when he denied With The other members Of the
Board / had no acquaintance. NY entlfe connecuon
with the case was purely professional, and such as
would nave been proper In any court country.
influence OF any End 70 induce me oaIu
of Public Works member thereof TO decide the
Gaze IN favor Of my clients, except have heretofore
| stated.
called home to Cleveland by matters Of pressing pri-
yate mature, foeng Just soiicn1e AS 10 the result
of my Iabors and course being desrous OF securing
nv fees 4 called upon Garfield and gave him his
of 10 theU stood, bnd asked num- as Cou-
gress would adjourn IN few days. II he would act for
Inc IN my absence and give subject careful ioyes-
tgation. lie first refused, tho ground OF pressing
finally asseuted 10 have me send the model
booss papers g.. 10 his house for examination After
"a DAY Two / called him, aud he said lie had looked
through the papers, aud SOON rs Congress adjourned
he would prepare opuion to the merits OF the
patent and attend TO the case tor me- SAID TO him
had the OF Importance u me. ana would DC
glad IL with him. The same day, or day after,
left for Cleveland and when received my fees some
considerable time ter, from my client AT Cncago de
posted Gen. Garfcld's to his credit III The Dank, and