New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-01
sEMIOFFICIAL DETAILS OF THE TESTIMONY.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCHl

WAsHINGToN, April 30.-In the District OF
Columbia Investigating Committee this morn
lug Gov. Shepherd on the stand, and SUD-
mitted six letters bearing the De Golyer
& Mcclellan contract. 1t appeared from his
evidence that VIM. e. Moore a partner OF Gov.
Shepherd unknown to him interested himself in proeur
ing the contract, and offered portion OF the pro-
ceeds OF the notes given by Chlttenden and Kirkland
The Governor upon learning the fact at dissolved
his business relations with Moore, which he announced
in the morning papers.
Gov. Shepherd said the first he had heard OF the DE
Goyer and Mcclellan day in passing the
First National Bank Mr.. Huntington called him and
said what are you doing about contracts nowP lie
(tho wtness said, 1--WE going through our annual
examination before Congress, and are doing nothing"
MI Huntington said, have friend who wants con-
tract" Witness replied. "Tel him to in his bid and
take his chances" Subsequently Gov Cooke came to wit
ness and said the Hon. c. b. Parsons had friend who
represented Chicago firm who wanted contract.
witness told the Governor that the friend could
mt in bid, but the award would be de-
cided upon the merits OF the pavement. sub
seouently, after Mr. Parsons mad made an
argument fore the Board Of Public Works, regarding
the DC Golyer and Mcclellan pavement No. Gen. Gar
field spoke to witness, and said he was employed by Mr.
Parsons represent his Parsons interest In the DE Col
yer patent OF the arguments made by Gen. GARFIELD
was that the Board OF Pablo Works should give the
West show inasmuch majority of the contractors
were Eastern men. The contract finally awarded
AT "A full meeting of the Board OF Public Works. subse
quently witness ascetaned that DE Goyer and McCle
Ian were not OF the means that had been repre-
sented TO the Board, and that the swork was not
being done satisfactorily. 1t was then stopped
In 1873, witness received the first intimation
that money had been paid to secure the contract by
letter written Racine, Wis., by ex-senator Dootte
to Gov Cooke Aug 1G 1s73 which first reclted that De
Golyer and Mcclellan had been stopped in their opera
tons in Washington. and then proceeded to say
But there an inside view of this matter and which
by far the most oppressive to my client In order 20
the contract from the Board OF Public Works the con-
tractors compelled to pay in cash $4,000 and to
give their notes payable TO their order Tor 250O.
or these of y 500 and one OF 5000 have been
paid, making sa2 500 paid IN cash The notes were given
down but the Board time to time, has declined to
spirit and letter of the contract which contemplated
the period Of five months for 10000 yards and the otner
$1,000 the same season or the next"
The writer then complains that Mr.. Mcclellan pro-
tests against the violation OF the contract and that he
cannot and he viii not pay any more Of Of said notes and
upon, and II not, to file bill to cancel them upon the
obvious ground that they wholly Illegal and void
Mr.. Doolittle concludes by saying that 1t will be
most painful professional duty, but one from which
must not shrink"
Upon receipt OF this letter Gov Shepherd dictated the
reply TO Gov. Cooke. and under date OF Aug 49, writes
to the effect that the work Of DE Goyer Mcclellan
unsatisfactory. and that the Board had been more
enent than they should have been with tho hrm The
letter concludes by saying that the Board OF Public
Works have information other than that which
letter furnishes-that the firm OF De Golyer Mcclellan
dealing with outside parties, and are in no way
connected involved with them in any arrangements,
and therefore have possible objection to their de
yeopmen before the courts" On the 25th of August 1879
Cbittenden writes Chicago to Shepherd, ntimang
| that the firm OF Mcclellan & jenkins De Golyer had
previously died. had become disguised with Washington,
and had abandoned all idea Of any work there on
account OF being intention OF Mr. Shepherd to give
them work. The witness alludes TO the matter
OF the having been put in ex-senator Doolittes
hands 10 defend. He concludes as follows NOW "r
Shepherd ask Of you the favor 10 extend this contract
and avoid impending trouble. should you conclude TO
do It. send for me- and do it through me- VIII see that
such disposition is made OF all questions which may
row embarrass action a that they never can rise
| again"
To this letter Mr. Shepherd replied as follows:
poIRD on PuBIIC WORKS, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
D WASHINGTON, Aug. az, 1873.
GEORGE r. CHIrrEsDEs, esq Chicago.
M an SIR am In receipt this morning OF letter
n, the 25th inst. Although marked confidential"
Gnd that 10 really pertains TO matters affecting the
pnsrd of Public Works, against which, You inform me,
Mcclellan * Jenkins have determined TO institute
-. proceedings. THIS intention their part
ne In which they performed their work the Board were
more tolerant than perhaps was consistent with due
regard to duty. H. however, the suit Is 10 be entered
apairst We shall be most willing TO have the Gaze
brought before the courts and there fully aud fairly
| tested. Truly yours, ALEX. X SHEPHERD.
Again, on the al OF September, the Hon q. Is. Farwe
OF Chicago wrote Gov shepherd concerning the stop
mage OF work on IN which, after speaking Of
the notes given by Mr.. Chttenden to Mr.. Kirkland he
says:
"Mr. G. desires that the work be AWARDED by him
,he award that he pay those notes OF that