The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-29
THE DISTRICT INQUIRY.

Examination of Ex-Governor Cooke
Signing = Contract After Expiration OF
His Omce-GeneraI Denial OF COnspir-
acy by all the Accused-The Division
Of the Proceeds OF Contracts--Startling
Secret Developments.
WASHINGTON. April IS, 1878.
The Joint Congressional Committee on the Dis.
trict Investigation to-day discovered important
evidence, which, it is said, furnishes the cue to
the inner workings OF the Board OF Pubic Works.
The committee, with q full appreciation OF the re-
sponsibity resting upon them, Immediately agreed
not TO leave the Capitol, until "she game was bag
ged." Accordingly, their dinner was served TO
them in the committee room to-day, and while the
members were enjoying the fat OF the land, with
. liberal allowance OF wine, the sergeant-atArms
and his deputies were out summoning witnesses.
1t appears that dinner was given at
the Washington House last Saturday night
which was attended BY gentlemen who are sus
pected or being among the conspirat0rs against
the committee. The dinner was given by Mr..
Kirkland. VINO was made the repository OF large
sum for service rendered, but precisely what that
service was the committee have not been able
to ascertain. Inc examination OF the
witnesses took place with closed doors. Tne
only person present being the oicial stenogrspher.
The committee continued their labors until ten
O'Clock, and then adjourned until nine O'Clock TO-
morrow. The members all pledged themselves to
secrecy. The smiling countenances OF majority
OF the committee gave evidence that the humdrum
about hauling dirt was at An end, and henceforth
the investigation would be rich in Developments
The committee to-day began hearing evidence
for the defence.
THE TESTIMONY.
Noses Kelly testified that in his capacity as
| cashier OF the National Metropolitan Bank he had
advanced money TO contractors on District securi-
ties at eight per cent interest, holding the secnri-
ties collaterals but that he had never purchased
the certificates outright and that he had no
Arrangement with me board Of Public Works With
! advanced upon, but that the bank took Its
chances for repayment. He denied that he had
| ever entered mo conspiracy with Kilbourn and
Others lor the purpose OF controlling contracts.
John l. KIdwell, charged as one OF the conspira-
had ever entered into conspiracy to secure con-
tracts, and knew nothing OF the existence Of any
OF the Seneca Sand stone Company, and that it had
furnished about $1,000 worth OF stone TO the Board
OF Public Works. The company had sold to Jones
| Collins. contractors under the Board about
$4,000 worth OF stone, upon which, however,
there had been no pronts on account OF the pay
Ex-Governor Cooke Denied his connection with
any organized conspiracy 70 secure or control
or Kirkland. nor did he know they were operating
| TO secure the DE Golyer and Mcclellan contract
| he knew Mr. Cnittenden casually; was introduced
TO him by Mr.. Huntington, who at that time told
witness that Mr.. Chittenden was endeavorlng to
secure contract for De Golyer and Mcclellan;
! witness told Mr.. Huntington not 10 interest him.
! self in Mr.. Chittendens business as his motives
might be misconstrued
He testified that to his knowledge no ring had any
thing to do with the letting OF contracts; that the
Board OF Public Works at the time they advertised
/ Tor proposals TO do work had previously agreed
not award contracts by bids, bit to invite bids
merely as basis upon which to tx schedule Of
the execution OF contracts mad been made, were
| raised: ne presumed the reasons for change
were satisfactory to the Board; be did not
violation OF law. The witness was asked
on what satnority Of law be a o, signed Ss 4
expired to which he replied that it was merely a
clerical matter, majority OF the Board having
| when an award was made by the Board OF Public
| Works 1t was equivalent to a contract; he knew
in any Contract until just before his death when
| he ascertained mat he had an interest In con-
crete paving contract on Pennsyiyania avenue; ne
further testified that before the fret government
appropriate was made to the District the Board
Of Public Works had made an overdraft on the
First National Bank OF this city to the extent OF
| s2eo,oO0, which was reimbursed when the
| Board came IN possession OF the proceeds Of
the the psctp sernpes meon Which mons1 Sac
advanced by the First National and Metropolitan
banks OF the city TO contractors were lifted ~ the
Treasurer OF the Board OF Public Works, aud not
4 lifted ON similar advances made by the Freed
mans Bank in tins city; ne was not aware that,
~ SECURING tHe HfSt government apprOprIhuoH.
tne DISTRICT authorities charged the government
| Tor WORK not DONE
:, The witness was requested to stand aside, and
Seoree H. wilcox was sworn, who testified that ne
nhew a. y. Kirkland; that he saw him last on
wsdhesday and Thursday at his twitness1 house
70 ehe Guy; tbst he came to Washington on the 18th
Gay 81 April; that ne was in the city when ne wit
I leys Hote1
I Y Why did you not ten the committee That ne
~as ~ me CITY 8t tnat SESSION. Did you not know
WEI anxious 10 know of hia wheresbOufsg A..
II tnxxx .<xI.A hn
was. 80 =
Wi!Vess respming. testified that Emoys s<ows,