National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-05-05
MONDAYS SESSION.


MONDAY, May 4, 1873, 10 a. m.
The committee met pursuant to adjourn
| meut. ~ s.....
The Chairman notified Mr.. George 81. Chit
| tenden that he would not be examined until
tomorrow, when his attendance would be re-
quired.
Mr.. Emory A. storrs. Mr.. Chairman, /
would like to make slight correction or
amendment to my testimony of a few evenings
ago. It is merely q change of name. ! wish
TO substitute for Mr.. Jarvis the name Of Ira
Holmes. It VIII be apparent to some members
ofthe committee who know the parties, that
that is q mistake. Mr.. Jarvis is the president
of the Bank of Casanova, which has not gone
into bankruptcy. Mr.. Holmes, Of the Manu-
facturers' National Bank, did go into bank
ruptcy, or perhaps it is not correct to say
that that bank did 60 into bankruptcy.
Efforts were made to put it into bankruptcy,
and it went into liquidation. a.
TESTIMONY OF THOMAS N. PLowMAN.
Thomas N. Plowman sworn and examined.
By Mr.. Stanton: Q. Were you a member of
the commission appointed by the Board Of Pub
lie Works to assess damages done TO property
by the board7 A. was, SIR.
O. Who composed the commission A. Mr..
Morsell, j. T. Collins, W. B. Bell, and myself.
@. Do you remember whether that commits
sion was Instructed to inquire into the matter
of the controversy between ID. A. Connolly and
the Board of Public Works, as to the allow
ance for the grading Of Massachusetts, avenuea
A. This is copy Of a letter that have, as fol-
lows:
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
WARRINGTON. November 2l
s. 7. O. 1OrssI, esq, CITY:
man are requested to sit as o jury In the matter
OF controversy between d. a. Connolly and the
Board Of PubIicWo FORKS. as to the allowance which
chusetts avenue, to hear and consider such evil
denee as may be presented, and TO determine as
to the amount Of award which should be made.
Saturday, the sd instant, at Il o'clock m.
- Wv " CHARLES s. JOHNSON. Secretary.
Q. Did the commission act under those in
structionsl A. They did, sir.
Q. What did they dot A. We met at the
vice presidents room, and the parties to this
controversy were present. The testimony was
taken from all parties that were supposed to
know anything upon the subject.
Q. Was the contI actor represented A. The
c6ftfaet6f Was represented, and the District
government was represented,
Q. Who represented the District government
A. Mr. Arthur Shepherd, think. Perhaps
there was somebody else, but do not now re-
member whether there was or not; but think
Mr.. Shepherd was there.
Q. Was Mr.. CIuss present. A. He was. He
represented the board.
Q. asked you who represented the District
government A. Mr.. Cluss.
Q. Mr.. Cluss represented the District gov
ernmenti A. Yes, sir.
Q. Whom did Mr.. Arthur Shepherd repre-
sent, II he was therei A. The contractor.
By Mr.. Merrick: Q. Mr.. Arthur Shepherd
represented the contractor A. Yes, sir.
BY Mr.. Stanton; Q. II he was therei A.
think there were two parties representing
the contractor, and Mr.. Arthur Shepherd was
one.
Q. Was testimony taken on the subject A.
Yes, sir.
Q. Did the commission make an awardi A.
They did, sir.
G, And filed It with the boardi A. Yes,
sir. ~
ar. Stanton. We viii put the award in evil
dence as soon as it can be obtained;
Mr.. Wilson. We would be glad to have you
bring all the other papers. TO the witness.)
Q. Vas the evidence takea DOWN A. Yes,
Mr.. Christy. The chairman VIII remember
that we suggested heretofore that the papers
relating to this matter Of the award be given.
Mr.. Stanton. 1t is our purpose to produce
them all.
Mr.. wilson, Ito the witness:) Q. How long
have you lived in this cityl A. came here to
do business in 1854.
Q. What is your businessl A. I am now o
practicing architect.
Q. What was your business theni A. Pre-
viously was q builder seventeen years.
Q. At the time you were appointed on the
commission what was your businessl A. Arch
itect for the last five years, exclusively al
most. = t-a
o. Were you in the service Of the board In
any wayi A. Simply under the commissioner,
SIR, that was appointed. 49, -
Q. You had no other connection with the
board than thati A. None. = 4. 49, =
O. Was any member of the commission con-
nected with the Board of Public Works In any
vayi A. Mr.. Collins, ] think, had done some
think any of the other members were con-
nected with the board. -
O. Had Mr.. Collins heen an extensive con
tractor1 A. am not able to say how extern
siye. know he had been doing some work In
Georgetown for the board. - 1000 81,
Q. Which Mr.. Collins was thati A. Joseph
By Mr.. M.tangIy: Q. Not the partner of
By Mr.. Wilson: d. VINO was the other party
that was representing this contractor At the
time Of this investigation A. was trying to
think, sir; but don't remember. 1t occurs TO
me, from memory, that there was somebody
else. Perhaps IL may have been Mr.. Connolly
himself; but my faint recollection (not having
charged my memory specifically with 1t at the
time, after we disposed Of I'D does not enable
Q. In what capacity was Mr.. Arthur Shop
herd helping the contractor A.. Well, ! do
not know whether you would call him counsel
or not, or whether he was his next friend. He