The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-28
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
Tangible Testimony ut Lnst-Ugly ALLIE
gntion Against the Treasurer of tho
Board Of Public Works-He Is Accused
Of Soliciting u Heavy Bride.

{ZuClOn AHAtnSC tnC AXcabuACE u SSAO
Board OF Public Workable Is Accused
Of Soliciting n Heavy Bride.
WASHINGTON March q, 1874.
AT the meeting Of the District Of Columbia Inves.
tigating Committee this morning counsel for the
memoir aliss took up the list Of contracts OF pub
lie works and criticised the figures Of estimates
and actual cost OF work Hereunder.
Governor Shepherd occupied considerable time
In explaining the points raised The inquiry OF
counsel for the memOr!asLs was extended to en-
brace the examination OF statements for the
measurement Of work done around Reservation
No. II, southeast OF the Capitol building. and W.
T. Riley was placed on the stand by them to show
that the Board had measured up and charged for
work not done by the District government
Governor Shepherd stated in explanation that
this was true but called attention to the bills
dcred against the United States by the Board,
showing that the bills put IN by the Board for
large portion OF this work were due by the federal
been nquidated; and that the act Of Congress ap-
propriated sufficient money to cover these old bills
long due: the money thus appropriated was used
OF the work around the government property.
J. G. Bigelow testified with reference 10 the
street by reason OF defective sewerage In front
thereof. 1t was shown IN the cross-examination
srs @ to W9S AZ main dscnsrSnr
into Rock Greek, but that the connection had not
been made by reason or winter coming on ana In.
terrupting the prosecution OF the work; also that
the houses alleged to have been damaged were
constructed after this blind sewer had been
AN UGLY ALLEGATION.
After o recess Patrick Cullinane, an old con-
tractor, was sworn for the memorialists. This wit
ness, III the course OF his examination In chief
testified that on given. date he went TO James A.
Magruder. the Treasurer of the Board OF Public
$4,000 due him by the Board, and that Magruder
refused to pay him unless he the wltnessl would
pay h@ ae a' also g " he
$4,000. but again asked him FOR $1,000 and 70
suggested That If the witness tet any delicacy
about giving the 5000 to him ne might go. to
Georgetown, the residence OF the Treasurer, and
leave the amount with Mrs. Magruder. The wit
ness was closely cross questioned about this
as as9 ~ s 70 M
nation 1t transpifed that Colllnane had not per.
formed the work on Four-and a-laH street In any
contract with the Board, neither as TO quantity
or quality, and that when final settlement was
cover the cost OF making his work good: also that
on examination OF his work by order OF the Board
evidence was disclosed TO justify the suspicion OF
collusion between Cullinane and street superin.
tendent, whose duty 1t was to certify to the Board
as to whether the contract mad been performed
according to specincatiOn.
DENIAL OF THE CHARGE.
Colonel James A. Magruder Treasurer OF the
Board, asked leave TO MAKE statement, and said.
desired to be sworn, which was DONE Colonel
Magruder then said That there was not one word
OF truth IN the testimony OF Cullnane so far as re-
lated to any demand, request or suggestion made
by him to Culnane for tne payment OF money as
an induceD.ent 10 the settlement OF any claim.
Such statement was absolutely and utterly false,
not only in regard to Cunane, but also to any
and all contractors under the Board. He
said he never heard the least hint
OF this charge now made by Culnane until since
this investigation began. Colonel Magruder pro-
ceeded at some length to explain particularly In
relation to the manner in which Cuilinane's con.
tract on Four-and-a-half street had been per.
formed. ana how and under what condition OF
facts the final settlement was made with him. He
concluded this branch or his statement by assert
ing his willingness to put his word against that
OF Cullinane in this community, where he
had resided the best part or his life. He then tes
titled at some length regarding payments made by
him on certain work done by the Board and charged
to the federal government, particularly with rel
erence to d street sewer also III relation to the
disposition made Of the $4,000 appropriation by
Congress for compensation for q share In the old
City Hall, owned by the District government and
tor the construction OF the new District once
Building. He said, in relation to the latter point
tnat the said money WAS made special deposit IN
the bank, where 1t remained two or three months
and was then, by q vote OF the entire Board in.
vested in eight per cent securities and that said
eight per cent securities now deposit in the
vault of the bank in the name OF the District oil
Columbia, and drawing interest.