National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-02
DISTRICT INVESTIGATION

one single amount. If they have to pay all 6
once, they cannot DO it,
By the Chairman: Q. One-third of that e1
pense is charged to the adjacent property, is
noti A. Yes, sir; one-third. The board ha
made improvements on other roads.
Mr.. Mattingly, Docs not Mr.. Shepherd owl
larger frontage on that road than you do!
Mr.. Shepherd does own larger frontage OF
that road than do.
Governor Shepherd. Mr.. Chairman, if it i
the pleasure of the committee, should like a
this tine TO make an explanatory statemeu
relative to the testimony that has been giyel
here by Mr.. Fowler.
The committee had a brief consultation as q
the propriety of allowing Governor Shepherd I,
submit his explanation at this stage of the pro
ceedings, and apparently being unable to com
TO any conclusion In the committee-roorl, re
paired TO the consultation chamber, where the
remained few minutes. On returning to thu
committee-room the chairman said: The com
Enittee direct me to state to the counsel, and
might say In the beginning that the committee
have had consultation with reference to the
order of business arising from some differences
among members of the committee as to whai
should be the proper order. 1t was with this
view that we retired to the adjoining room FOL
the purpose of consulting as to the order Of
business. We have heretofore permitted expla-
nations to be made with reference to testimony
as it occurs from time to time. We have all
appreciated that this wGs irregular III its char.
acter; but, inasmuch as that practice has beer
INDUCED in, and Governor Shepherd now asks
an opportunity to make statement, the com.
mittee have concluded to hear such statement
at this time.
The committee also direct me to state that
In the future we desire to have more order in
the conduct Of the matter before rs, or at least
as much order as is consistent with the pro-
gFess of the case; therefore we will in the future
hear such testimony as we think is material
and pertinent coming from the counsel for the
memorialists. After they have completed what
they desire to present to the committee we
viii hear the testimony of such witnesses as
the District government may desire to present
to the committee. After the counsel for the
District have concluded their testimony the
committee will take such further testimony as
they may deem necessary to a full knowledge
of all the matters referred TO them and now
pending before them. That is the order of the
committee made unanimously.
Governor Shepherd here took the stand.
The Chairman. I Believe, Governor, you
have not yet been sworni A. Yes, sir; have
been sworr.
The Chairman Excuse me: had forgotten
the fact. Then you may make such statement
with reference 10 the matter testified by Mr.
Fowler as you desire.
Governor Shepherd. It Will take but a few
moments. / simply do it as a matter of jus
tice to myself, because the testimony of the
witness, Mr. FOWLER do not know whether
by accident or design-seems to be capable OF
double Interpretation. In the first place
he swores that this conversation, which is
alleged to have taken place, was prior to the
laying of the Avenue pavement.
Mr.. Wilson. Please make your statement
without repeating what the witness swore to.
Governor Shepherd. / desire to state that SO
as to be able to explain as go along. His tes-
timony was TO this effect: That this converse
ton took place before the Avenue pavement was
laid, and that took place in August, 1871. The
fact is simply this; that the law authorizing the
laying of the Avenue pavement passed Con-
gress July s, 1870; that law is as follows:
Be IL enacted By the Senate and House of Repre-
senfGtires Of the United STATES of America in Con-
gress assembled, That the Secretary Of the Inte-
flor, Brevet Brigadier General n. Michier, engi-
neer in charge of public buildings and grounds and
the mayor Ct the city Of Washington, their sue
ed Q committee to select and determine the best
kind Of pavement to be used in paving PennsyI-
Vania avenue, and TO have said thoroughfare
paved herewith from the northwest gate Of the
Capitol grounds to the crossing of Fifteenth street
west, as hereinafter provided.
That was the law under which this pavement
on Pennsylvania avenue was laid. The law
was passed on the Sth of July, 1870, and that
pavement was laid in the fall Of 1870, and fin
ished on the LIST of January, 1871. The law
the District government did not pass,
and was not approved by the President Of the
United States until the 21st of February, 1871.
| did not enter upon the duties of my office as a
of the Board of Public Works until the
LIST Of June, six months after this pavement
had been completed.
desire to call the attention of the commit
ter to the fact that this matter was examined
into by the first investigating committee. Here
is the copy of the certificate of the Metropolis
Paving Company, which has been put in by the
counsel for the memorialists. On page 403 of
the report Of that investigation was asked
this question:
go. Were you one Of the incorporators in the
Portland Cement Company? 4. was.
20. Was not that organized about the time
you were appointed on the Board of Public
Worksi A. No, sir; good while before was
appointed on the Board of Public Works. /
know that / sold out as soon as Twas appointed
On the board, as did the interest held in the
Metropolis Paving Company. 1 held some
stock in that company, which sold out within
; few days after was appointed"
The certificate is here from the president of
hat company 10 that effect, both as regards
he Portland Company and the Metropolitan
Paving Company, that just the very moment 1
was appointed TO this Office, disposed, by sale,
If the interest had in and all the cornee-
ion that had with these two companies.
BY the Chairman: Q. Will you state whether
Tou had any conversation with Mr.. Fowler:
md, If so, what it vast 4. do not recollect
he conversation with him. 1t may have taken
place. He may lave called on me in regard to
his matter, as he says, but do not recollect
L was such thrilling incident that it did not
impress itself on my memory at all. l do not
-ecoleet OF having any such conversation,
although it is possible that might have had
ueh.
By Mr. Stewart: Q. You remained interested
n these companies until you were appointed
member OF the Board Of Public Works? A.
les, sir.
By the Chairman: Q. Have you any further
explanation to make, Governor A. That
5 all.
Q. We're these companies Incorporated A.
les, sir.
Q. Did your name appear upon the stock
ooks as astockholdcri A. No, sir; such stock
Tas held in the name OF my brother-in-law in
ne, and my own name in the other.
O. In which one was 1t held in your namel
l. In the Portland Stone Company.
Q. And you sold ont after you were appointed
member OF the Board Of Public Worksl A. |
les, sir.
By hr. Bass: 0. What is the date of the in |
~ BSLSS4o Vi NIlC oASLIOIeOillun COlIl- |
AMY in this volumel A. Page 293. The date |
s OctCbar II, 1870.
Q. In that you had stock, and sold out after
yard! A. Yes, sir; / sold out after was an |
'ointed. Mr.. Clephane, the president of the |
ompany, is here, and If the committee desire
o question him in regard to it he will be able |
o give them any information that they NAV |
wish.
By Mr.. Wilson: Q. Was the bill which re- |
ulted in the organic act pending at the time |
on held the stocl A. lido not know whether |
hat bill was, Judge Wilson. There had been
ills pending; hill had been introduced for the |
asst eight or ten years in regard to this change |
# government.
Q. When did you receive your appointment
s member of the Board Of Public Worksl A. |
IN the 10th of March, 1871.
Q. And entered upon the discharge o. your
uties on the list of June, 1871 A. Yes, sir. |
Q. You spoke about some stock being held |
y your brother-in-law7 A. Yes, sir.
Q. Wa that his stock or yoursi A. It was |
ny stock held in his name.
Q. How much was there of itl A. Indeed, !
o not know; some two or three thousand dol |
lrs.
Mr.. Wilson. do not care particularly |
bout the amount; / simply wanted to get at |
Thether it was very large or small. A. did /
for the interest of my brother-in-law alone.
Q. What is the name Of your brother-in-lay7
|. Samuel G. Young. The history of the
Thole transaction is here, If you desire f.. NV
ta:ement can be substantiated by the presi-
ent of the cOmDauy IL the COMMITTEES % ra 20