National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-07
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Releigh (N CO. Msvs.
LETTER FROM MR.. WIZ. A. COOK.
The following letter was addressed by Mr.
VIM. A. Cook to the District Investigating
Committee, and presented yesterday:
WASHINGTON, d. c., April o. 1874
GENTLEMEN: During the progress of ''The
Investigation of the Affairs of the District of
Columbia" two attempts have been made to
connect me with supposed dishonorable or rep
rehensible transactions-one on the 2Sth ult.,
by the Hon. William NJ. Merrick; the other on
the S0th ult., by Robert Christy, esq.
The former appeared to insinuate that Peter
Mcnamara had given me five hundred dollars,
to secure his son-in-law's nomination by the
Republican party for the House of Delegates.
The latter insinuated-thst Samuel Strong had
given me check for three hundred dollars, to
influence opinions in which he was interested,
or to procure from me decisions in his favor.
Both attempts signally failed; but the artful
and untrue insinuations of the counsel were al
lowed to go on the record of the court. They
now live in print-in the almost imperishable
types of the chief nation of the world-and
thus have acquired dignity and Importance
which originally they did not possess. This
fact, combined with proper regard for the
committee and becoming selfrespect, demands
that they receive from me appropriate consid-
Grafton and notice,
That on mature reflection the committee will
concur with me that this evidence of Mr.. Nc
Namara and Strong, so far as 1t relates to me,
should neither have been offered or received,
cannot for moment doubt. It is true that
have been the attorney of the District and Of
the Board of Public Works from the organiza-
ton of the present government; but II ia equally
true that up TO the periods at which the insinu-
atoms were uttered and the pretended proof
produced, no accusation, either oral or written,
existed against me. No part of the fourteen
charges and numerous specifications of the me-
morialists, in terms or by fair implication, re-
ferred to me. They were entirely confined to
others, who were generally named, and most
of whom have been long distinguished for
ability, influence, and integrity.
Such being the fact, was not the testimony
irrelevant and therefore clearly inadmissiblel
How could it be otherwise when no antecedeut
accusation existed to support or justify its re-
ceptionl
Moreover, was 1t not eminently unfair
gross wrong on the part of the memorialists
and their counsel, to adduce evidence concern
ing accusations affecting me, which they had
not the audacity or courage to present In
writing to the committee, or in the form re-
quired by III And was 1t not manifestly an
abuse of the privilege allowed counsel, and
one which, If 1t had attracted the attention of
the committee, would have been promptly cor.
rectedl Certainly no more despicable or
pusilanimous mode of aspiring character could
be invented; and while It appears to me to ad-
NIT of no justification its baseness, If possible,
Dc ina Cd h.r Nhn a. Of Nv. skxr
that they had no desire to do injustice to the
absent, and that he was unable to say whether
he could connect the alleged check of S3, 200
with one of my decisions or not.
Had the committee, or any member Of IL,
propounded the questions to Messrs. McNa-
mara and Strong, would have uttered no
complaint or objection; for, while difference
of opinion prevails as to how far the committee
may investigate matters not directly referred
to in the petition of the memorialists or resolu-
ton Of Congress, as 1t is composed of elected
representatives of the people, and is acting for
the entire nation, regard 1t as proper that its
inquiries should be unrestricted by mere form
or technicalities; at least, If for no other pur-
pose, that all the facts may be ELECTED and
presented to the Senate and House for their
action. Thus regarded, its functions are suffi-
cient to enable 1t to suggest, pursue and
develop any conjected or essential wrongs in
any department of the District government, or
on the part Of any of its officers.
But the prerogatives of the committee are
surely not the prerogatives of the memorialists
or of their compensated counsel; and tits not
to be presumed that the committee will DELHI
erstely transfer any of its privileges or rights
to the counsel. The distinction between the
committee and the memorialists, or their coun-
sell, Is manifest-indeed, proclaimed-but IN
less 1t is practically maintained, how can i'm
proper sspersion of character be prevented
And viii not the pending investigation become,
to great extent, Q means of disseminating,
without responsibility, malignant feelings, evil
surmises, and unfounded accusationsl Nor
will 1t be much consequence that the sus-
picions and insinuations cannot be supported
by proof. Uttered with even the tacit consent
Of the committee, incorporated in its proceed
ings, and circulated er indIstrieI by sleepless
press, they Will produce their designed injury,
exert q baleful influence which cannot be ar
rested, and character, otherwise unsullied, may
thus become blighted and destroyed.
Do then err In earnestly soliciting the COM
mittee to restrain and control indiscriminate
and reckless assaults of 'oficiale" Of the Dis
trict, and to require, SO far as the memorialists
are concerned, that no insinustions affecting
absent persons shall be uttered, and no proof
be offered, until distinctive charges and specif-
cations shall be formally presented, and time
sufficient elapsed for response to themi
Let me not be misunderstood. While arro-
eating no immaculate purity, nor tndefectible
virtue, I do not dread any investigation of my
official acts, however close or severe; on the
contrary, desire and invite It; but, as man
and citizen, insist that It be conducted with
a due regard to established practice and the in
flexible rules of justice which prevail In civil
liked countries for the control Of inquiries In
relation to either public or private character.
And in this desire surely will have the SYM
patty, approval, and support of the committee,
whatever may be the wishes or inclination Of
the memorialists and their counsel.
To prevent any misapprehension or misunder-
standing, / now and here assert that the insinu-
atoms made against me are utterly false-mere
morbid conjectures and groundless suspicious,
which cannot be supported by the testimony of
any respectable witness.
And respectfully ask that this paper be In
corporated In the proceedings of the committee.
Very respectfully, WILLIAM A. Cook.
TO 1sssrs. AlItson, Thurman. StsioGrt, Wilson,
Hamilton, yetcett, and Bass.