Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-04-15
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
Proceedings Of the Jeiut Congressional Committee.


The Joint Select Committee investigating
District affairs met this morning at q quarter
past ten O'Clock.
JENKINS, THE CONTRACTOR.
Charles f. Jenkins, sworn:-Am q contractor;
know the firm of DeGolyer & Mcclellan; be-
came interested with them in contracts IN this
city on the 3lst of March, 1873; don't know any
thing concerning the circumstances OF the award
OF the contract only by hearsay; some letters
written by Geo. II. Chittenden to the firm came
into my possession last August; destroyed them
some time ago.
paid by DeGolyer & MCCLELLAN for procuring
the contract? A. No, sir: nothing whatever
that remember. The letters related to vsriou:
things he was trying to accomplish. l state
positively there was nothing in the letters t.
show what became of the S97 200; in one of the
letters an allusion was made to Gov. Cooke
Huntington was the chief man; he died, and
ChitteDden wrote in low spirits; he again subse-
queDtly wrote in good spirits, saying Gov. Cooke
would Till the place of Huntington. There was
no allusion in the letter to Governor Shepherd
The notes given by DeGolyer g. Mcclellan were
in the possession OF Ira b. Holmes, Of Chicago;
L renewed $4,000 OF the notes, aud subse-
quently with MIR. Mcclellan paid them: il is
not my present intention to lay any more pave
ment in Washington; Mr.. Mcclellan and nv
self have sold out our interest in contracts In
this city to Ira Holmes, of Chicago. He was, in
consideration of our interest, to release DeGol-
yer & Mcclellan from the payment OF notes
given to Cbittenden. Holmes said he bought
and paid for the notes; he bought them from a
Washington at my request; he first objected on
the ground of his being member of Congress;
said that is just why want you to go; the
Board of Public Works will give you hearing
and allow us to 60 on with our work; he came
reluctantly and at his own expense; think the
DeGOlyer & Mcclellan pavement, No. 2, a
good pavement
By Mr.. Wilson.-Q. When did you destroy
these letters? A. In February of this year, az
ter bad had conversation with Chiltenden
in Chicago; Mr.. Chittenden told me what he
would testify to, and thought it better to have
him testify than have the letters published IN
the Sun and Tribune and n. Y. Herald. There
were imputations in them against prominent
men, which according to Chittenden's own
statements were false.
Q. Does the Board of Public Works owe your
firm thing outside of certificates you hold?
A. No, sir; we have received all our pay; we
may have a claim for damages.
q. What's that claim? A. L decline to an
swer, because 1t is private matter; don't in
tend to press any claim may have against the
Q. Could you afford to pay q bonus of s97 900
to lay 100000 square yards OF your pavement?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What did that pavement cost you to Law in
promptly on estimates made up every month,
We could lay the pavement at about e. per
square yard: l am not an expert payer, and
cannot definitely state the cost.
BY Mr.. Merrick:-What was the character of
the influence you spoke of as mentioned in the
Chittenden letters? A. On, don't ask me. You
thought, In way to stuff my partner, McClei-
Ian, and get him to honor his drafts; Chittenden
was man up and down; he wanted to let
Mcclellan believe he was great man.
Mr.. Stewart:-Do you think, Mr.. Merrick,
that the testimony of a lobbyist would be pro-
per, in which Senators and members might be
spoken of by him in letters? A. 1t would put
those accused at all events on their purgation.
Fraud Is always concealed, and the only way to
get AZ 1t Is by collateral and remote testimony
An extended conversation between counsel on
both sides and members Of the committee was
then INDUCED in as to questioning the witness
with regard to the contents Of the Chittenden
letters.
Q. Did you exhibit any of those letters in
Washington? A. read A. nj. Gibson, cores
pondent OF the New York Sun, one OF the let.
iers. L also read one to Judge Hood. Of this
city.
Mr.. Allison notified Mr.. jenkins to return to-
morrow, and the committee in the mean time
would decide whether or not they would exam
inc him in private or public.
GIBSON, OF THE NEw YORK SUN, RECALLED.
A. nj. Gibson, recalled Witness was shown
letter in the New York Sun.
MIR: Jewett.-What is the object of this, Mr..
Harrington?
Mr.. Harrineton.-This witness through a Sc
ries Of months has attacked the Board OF Pub
lie Works. He either told the truth or lied. II
he lied, we want the benefit Of it. If he told the
truth, we want the public to know it.
By Mr.. HarringtOn:-Do you knew of any
member Of Congress being interested with the
Board Of Public Works in contracts?
The Witness.-It has already appeared In evil
ested In contracts.
Mr.. Allison.-You cannot construe evidence.
The Witness-I know that in one Of the Chit
field and Parsons were interested with him.
10 use his own words, he said "Garfield holds
the purse strings of the government, and
through his hands every dollar must 60"
ested In contracts? A. made the statement
that ne was, upon information gained from
Mr.. Hubbell.-Give the names. A. The in
formation was given to me in confidence by
other friends in the profession, who are intimate
friends OF Mr.: Harmer: Bingham, postmaster
made $50 200 on q contract in washington. and
spent 1t in helping to elect Gov. Hartranft L
will state, Mr.. Chairman, that this committee
is inquiring into the expenses Of the District
government, ana what amount OF expense the
general government should bear. Now Mr..
harrington, who Is questioning me, holds two
omces, one as Secretary OF the District of Co
lumbia, for which he receives 50 900, and one
as Assistant District Attorney, for which he re-
ceives 50 800.
MIR. Harrington.-I hope the usual ignorance
OF the witness is not equal to his stupidity in
this instance. am not assistant attorney but
am paid by the District Attorney, out of the
fees or his office, to assist him in prosecuting
cases.
PRIVATE CONFERENCE ON e1Rsos,s REFUSAL
TO ANSWER.
Mr.. Allison.-A member of the committee
raises point, that Mr.. Gibson has declined to
answer an interrOgatory propounded The
CON mittee will retire for consultation.
The committee withdrew to an adjoining
room for conference.
The committee remained in consultation
sbout twenty minutes, but without announcing
their conclusions took recess till p IN.
AFTER RECESS.
The committee reassembled at twenty i've
minutes of 3 O'Clock.
Senator Thurman said he was instructed by
the committee to request Mr.. Gibson to answer
who gave him the information to the effect that
Mr.. Harmer was interested In contracts. He
said he could refuse to answer only IL
It was . privileged Communication. He
then explained to witness what was a
privileged communication. He said that
member of the press charging corruption upon
men in either public or private life vas not en-.
titled to take advantage of privileged com.
munication, else he could scatter ubeis broad
cast without responsibility.
Mr.. GIBSON DECLINES TO ANSWER.
Q. Who told you that Mr.. Harmer had sny
such interest? A. Well, 1 decline answering
Mr.. Allison.-Do you wish time to consider?
MI. Gibson.-I have no objection myself to
giving the information, but must consult drst