Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-04-14
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
Proceedings Of til. Joint Congressional Committee
Conclusion Yesterdas,s Proceedings.

Conclusion Yesterdays Proceedings.
AT yesterday afternoons eeS.ion of the joins
Select Committee inveSs eating District sffAirs,
Hon. Richsld c. Psrsons, of Ohio, made the
following sworn statement:
STATEMENT OF NR. PARSONS.
Before proceeding 20 the matter before the
committee 1t may be proper to pre- mise that
when | accepted the position of marshal Of the
Supreme. Court of the United States in 1866,
with its nominal salary, did so upon the dis
tinct understanding with the Chief Justice that
my acceptance of the Office should in no manner
YER either at Cleveland or Washington, at any
lime, when the slme did not interfere with the
discharge of my duties as marshal. This I'M
Outstanding, OF course, excepted the right to
practice in the supreme Court OF the United
States ard the Court of Claims.
In the spring OF 1872 Il think in April) | was
retained by Mr.. Chittenden, as lawyer, on
behalf of the + m of DeGolyer X Nc Clell ard.
of Chicago, to argue before the Board of Pub
lie Works, at Washington, the question OF the
superiority OF their patent Tor cured wood
pavement. Mr.. Chittenden said be had been
promised a large contract, amounting, think,
in value to 500 coo or more, provided he could
demonstrate to the board that his pavement
was the best; and he assured me that, after the
most careful trial and the fullest and most
complete tests at Chicago ard el, ewhere, it had
proved to be the best wood pavement in the
world.
AT this time large number Of persons from
different parts OF the coupI:y were in Washing
ton, with divers propositions for paving the
v,
dered by the board was very great Mr.. Chit
tenden assured me, If his work was ever seen,
it would, in his judgment supersede all other
kinds of voc d. pavement, and make the way
clear to secure "A large amount OF work at Phil
adelphia, as that city was then celebrating as TO
the propriety of paving its streets largely with
wood. The pamphlets, papers, atfidayits, state
ments, printed documents, &C., relating not
only to the "DeGolyer patent" but to all other
patents then pending before the board, were
placed in my hards, together with model OF
The proposed work and gave the whole subject
a careful and thorough examination before con
senting TO act for him. And being satisfied that
the patent was really a most valuable one, |
appeared, after ample preparation, before the
Board o: Public Works, in open session, and in
presence of spectators, ana made my argument
in favor OF the superiority of the "DeGOjyer
patent" The price at which the work was to
be done, was not alluded to 10y me, but my IN
Outstanding was, tuat the price allowed by the
board for the best wCod-cured pavemenC wa,
substantially the same i'll all cases, but of this
do not speak positively. l remember that Mr..
ChttendeE said they must bring their machin
cry for curing the wood from Chicago, and this
involved an extra expense ofs25 600.
The point argued by me related entirely to
curing the wood, its durability, the history OF
its service, and which of all the patents then
before the board, in the light OF experience and
all the facts presented, ought to be selected by
the board as most beneficial to the public inter-
est. The board gave me long and patient
hearing, each member at times asking ques-
uOUS, ana entering lnIO lively DISCUSSIONS as 10
the merits of the several plans presented.
AT the time [ was retained in this case,
scarcely knew Governor Shepherd by sight, aud
prior to my argument believe L never had but
one conversation with him, and then only with
a view to his fixing the time when my clients
could be heard before the board. MIR. shepherd
said he had no choice whatever as to who did
the work, but he was determined that no wood
pavement should be laid that was not first-ciasS
durability and wOr kmanship in every respect.
With Governor Cooke, who was an old and iQ
innate friend, never spoke but once, to my
recollection, on the subject, and then for the
purpose of asking him II he Sd not promised
Mr.. huntington, tben deces sed. tnas DeGoiyer
& McClelland sh, uld do this work, which he
denied. With the other members OF the board
had no acquaintance, and never, to my knowl-
edge, spoke to one OF them.
My entire connection with this case was pure.
ly Professional, and such as would have been
proper in any court of the country. L never
used any influence of any kind ID induce the
Board OF Public Works, or any member thereof,
to decide the case in favor OF my clients, except
as 1 have heretofore stated. Before the board
had finally made its award was called home o
Cleveland by matters Of a pressing nature, and
feeling great solicitude as to the result of m.
labors, and OF course DESTROYS of securing my
fees, called upon General Garfield and gave
him history OF the case as it then stood, and
asked him, as Congress would adjourn in a few
days. IL he would act for me in my absence, and
give the subject careful Investigation. He al
fl 4 declined on the ground or pressing bust
ness, but finally assented to have me send the
model, books, paper &C., TO his house for ex
animation. After Jay or two L called on him
and he said he had looked through the papers
and as soon as Congress adjourned he would
prepare An opinion as to the merits OF the patent
and attend to the case for me. l slid to him |
haG q fee in the Gaze of importance to me, and
would be glad to share il with him. The same
day or day Der left for Cleveland, and when
l received my fee, some considerable time at
ter, from my clients at Chicago, deposite
General Gan fields TO his credit in bank, and so
wrote hin. His being retained in the case wa
purely accide ntal, and he consented to act for
me a. an old friend OF many wears standing, to
relieve me from embarrassment.
MIR. Parsons stated that Brown, who got
80 600 of the Sy7 600 given to Mr.. Chittenden
was United States consul at Hamburg, and had
formerly been an Episcopal minister in New
Jersey.
sTATNkNT OF JOHN C. McKELDEN.
Mr.. John e.. McKelden, president OF the
Second National Bank, testified that his bank
had purchased Sis, S36.79 at different times OF
al proved bills or auditors certificates, and
about eight thousand orders on the sinking
fdnd; the largest deduction made in the pur
chase was 10 per cent; bought most of the others
at 10 per cent, and others at fraction OF lie ss
than 10 per cent; these bills were to be payable
whenever the board was in funds; it was all
speculation; had no arrangement with the board
or any one else, in any manner, sh ape or form
as TO the time when they should be paid.
GETTING TOWARDS THE CLosE-MAY BE.
George Is. Abrams testified that he had bid
to sweep the alleys and streets, but that the
award was made to bidder at an advanced
ngure oyer bis bid.
Mr.. Allison wished 10 know whether the me-
morialists would get through in another day?
Mr.. Christy thought they would, except as
to one or two material witnesses.
Mr.. Harrington stated that before the Dis
uict put in their rebutting testimony he would
invite the committee and the opposite counsel
TO visit all portions of the District to look at a n
the improvements made.
Mr.. Hubbell said he would be much pleased
to go, as did also Judge Thurman.
Governor Shepherd stated that the board wa.
willing TO be judged by its works.
Mr. Christy and Judge Merrck said they
would be pleased TO go.
MIR. Allison then stated that in order to allow
the memorialists ample time to get their remain
ing witnesses together and finish up their case
the committee would adjourn until Wednes, Az
morning at 10 O'Clock.