Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-05-04
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
Proceedings Of the Jsiut Congressional Cornitt..
More of the Testimony In Executive
HeSSf0n,


District Investigation Committee on the eve
| ming of the 2sth ultimo is just made public
The witness testified relative to the whereabout.
| of Kirkland, that he had seen him some tins
| since at Mr.. wilcox's house; Kirkland subse
| quently came to his (witnessD room; had con
versed with Mr.. Mattingly, and the latter said
he desired Kirkland to 20 before the committee
very much. In answer TO question as to what
reason Wilcox gave for the interest he took in
the matter, witness said: 81 inferred a reason
that sprung from impecuniosty, and do not
think that Is very much out of the way" Wit
ness further said that Kirkland appeared to BE-
a very pleasant gentleman, as a great MANY or
these common adventures about washin ton
seem to be. He did not say that he wanted any
thing. witness was asked what Kirkland want
ed when he came to witness room, and wi tness
said he asked for nothing, and he opened con-
yersatien about couple of girls on the Oppos te
been inspecting. Mr.. Cbittenden told with 8; on
the way from Chicago that he had never re-
ceived dollar himself. Witness had received
a retaining fee two DAYS before he left for the
purpose OF commencing a suit against McCIel
Ian on this contract Kirkland registered at
the Ebbitt House as " Mr.. HOyle.''
Mr.. Stewart asked the witness if Kirkland lad
left the Ebbitt House and witness answered
"Oh, yes; you can understand that it has been
little tedious to me. L have been OVERT owed
with guests, and it is the first time have ever
been before committee OF investigation, aud
think IL will be the last time. Men go through
my room, and take my key, and come in and
order dinner, and order cocktails, and charge
them to the rOom.'
By Mr.. Thurman:-Q. What manner of men
are they? A. think the usual manner in thi.
community.
q. Do you know any of their names? A Yes
sir; know one OF them.
q. Who is he? A. Mr.. Wilcox is one.
Witness had met Col. Moore three times for
few minutes; was introduced TO him at tue
club house; met no members of the Board of
Public Works at the club house. Witness first
saw Gov. SheIheI in the committee room. and
was introduced to him by some gentlemen
whom he could not tell; but never met him out
Of the committee except last Friday. As wit
ness was passing out he met him standing IN the
committee room, as the committee went or its
iour OF investigation: Witness further testified
MIR. Mattingly has always manifested ID IA. the
strongest disposition to produce air. Kirkland
here IN every conversation which have ever
had with bin on the subject.
RE-RXAMINATION OF GEORGE b. CHITTRsDEN
George X. Cbittenden was sworn and eI
al ired but the evidence ELECTED possessed no
special interest. He had met Kirkland under
the nbme OF HOyle at StOrrs' room and had seen
Col. Moore on several occasions.
TESTIMONY OF VIM. @. MOORE.
William G. Moore was sworn and examined.
Had met Mr.. Kirkland by request of the Iatt-r
az the Ebbitt House few days since. Mr..
Mattngly tod witness X. wanted to see him.
Witness had known Kirkland in perhaps lS62 Oh
'63; used to meet him quite frequently when ne,
witness, was connected with the administration
of eX.President johnson. Kirkland had no.
thing particular 10 say to him; he, X, simply
complained that he had been made very ner-
vOGs, and was in state, as IL were, of prOscra-
ton, as to whether he should appear before the
committee or not. Kirkland had told witness
shout the notes he had received from DeGOlyer
& Mcclellan, and offered witness part of the
proceeds Of a $4,000 note; this was after the
ID. Goly er contract had been awarded. Witness
declined 10 take any part OF the money. Wit
ness in friendly way told Kirkland he would
do ell he could to aid him in securing a CON
tract; spoke to Mr.. Shepherd on the subject At
the suggestion OF Chittenden, and simply asked
him 10 90 whatever was right and proper in the
premises. He told me it was a matter that did
not belong to him, but that it belonged TO the
board, aDd would be Investigated and deter
mined by the board. Witness told Mr.. Shep-
herd he had been personally solicited by Chit
tenden to ask his attention IN the an hiect. hrt
did not tell him that @. or Kirkland had init
mated that he, witness, cou d have an interest
In the contract. 1he Following question VS.
asked and answer given:
Q. Try and recollect a little more definitely
whether Mr.. Chittendsn did not make You a
specific offer of an interest? A. Since this mat
ter has been investigated, have en- iesvOred to
recall most of the circumstances; but have no
distinct recollection of any definite, positive Of
fer. II was more in the nature, as | have said,
OF an intimstion. / recollect my reply, that il
he desired 10 defeat himself, he had better let
that be known or make the offer again;
that 1t wOuld ruin his chances for q contract.
When Kirkland got the notes he offered wit
ness oDe-halt. which witness declined. On this
point the witness said: His next proposition
was. that he would take those notes, | believe,
would put half of them to my credit. The re-
suit was, that when he obtained the first pay
ment of $40, 600, as have said, he offered m, a
portion OF that $1,000, and | declined, ANA
have never received ons cent from tha or anv
other contract under the Board OF Public
Works not one cent; nor am interested liz
any or expect to re ceive any.
Kirkland told witness that he took the notes
TO Chicago and invested them in real estate.
since which time witness had heard no more
about them. The witness said Gsv. Shepherd
u I'm. Anuv -har, Is.
bad conference with him at the Ebbitt House.
The Governor asked witness II he knew where
Kirkland was. That was Friday week, and he
told witness that he WAS very anxious indeed
that he should appear before the committee,
and asked witness TO ascertain his whereabouts.
q. Knowing the Governor was solicitous to
have him here, why did you not urge him to
come before this committee? A. [ didn't cou-
slider myself the counsel, sir.
q. You knew that the Governor desired to
have him here? A. Yes, sir.
q. Why did you not tell the Governor A.
Kirkland had desired me to say nothing at all
of his presence here in the city.
Witness probably spoke to Mr.. Shepherd oncs
or twice in relation to the DeGOlyer contract:
he spoke merely in fulhlment OF promise, and
really wanted to rid himself of the annoyancs
of Chittenden and Kirkland soliciting him; he
empty wanted decision one way or The other.
Col. Moore was asked What reason did YOU
give TO Col. Kirkland for declining to take one
half OF these notes when he offered them to
you? and replied l do not know that L gave
any reason, except that l did not wish the
money; L did NOT state exactly what the real
reason was but, upon reflection, L had con
cluded that it would not be proper. considering
my relations to Ivernor Shephel d, to take
cent from any of the contractors.
Witness was asked If he had refused to takSa
share or the Sl0,0 900 because it was not enough,
and answered, "Not at all, SIR"
q. You were willing TO take your share of the
notes when they were negotiated; why would
you refuse to take your share OF the SO 900?
A. AS have already stated, came to the con.
clusioD, on reflection, that IL would not be
proper, considering my relations with Mr..
Shepherd, to have any further connection with
the matter.
Q. Did he deposit any portion OF the $4,000
to your credit? A. None, sir.
AFTER Kirkland bad made the arrangem ,nts
with Holmes in Chicago, witness felt anxious,
for fear X. had used his name, but X. told him
he had not. Neither Chittenden or Kirtlaud
ever gave witness any writing at any time with
one exception. Kirkland gave him q memo
randum OF the note he expected to negotiate in
New York, and witness subsequently found II
In his portmonnaie and destroyed it as worth
less. Witness mentioned his connection with
the contract in question to Governor Shepherd
within few days; he told tho Governor that
this offer had been made In regard to the notes,
and that he twitnese) was committed to the
Iangement that one half Of the proceeds should
be deposited to his credit; but that he had ne yer
received q cent from that or any other contract
n m - "a ID 90