New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-18

on the subject. 1t is the belief generally tnat INC
President will approve the bill. although there Is
nothing definite on which to base such an OPINION
THE DISTRICT INQUIRY
TESTIMONY OF MIR. CMTTENDEN, DE GoLYER
MCLEILAN's AGENT-H0w THE PAVING CONTRACT
WAS OBTAINED, AND WHAT WAS PAID TO SECURE
rBr TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, April 17.-George r. Chlttenoen Oh
Chicago agent of De GOlyer d. Mcclellan, the
Chicago wood pavement contractors, was ON the
witness stand and under examination by the Dis
tIict Investigating Committee ali day to-day. His
testimony was the most interesting of any that has
thus far been gwen. Mr. Chittendens story, not as
told in the written statement prepared by MS
attorney and read to the Committee but as 1t came
out under the searching crossexamination OF Messrs'
Thurman Wilson, and Bass, was briefly as follows:
Early in 1871 Mr. Chittenden made written con-
tract with De Golyer & Mcclellan to work in their
interest to secure contracts in Eastern cities his re-
muneration to be one-third of the profits. Under
this arrangement he went to Philadelphia, where
there was some talk of the introduction OF wooden
pavements and while there was requested by the
firm to come to Washington. The reason given was
a letter to the firm written by an attorney In this
city, informing them that large contracts were
to be awarded here. Mr.. De Golyer told
Chittenden that Mr.. Huntington, cashier OF
the First National Bank of Washington,
of which Gov. Cooke President, was man OF
great influence. and that he would be good man
TO see on arriving in Washington. Chittenden Sc
cured from Representative Farwell of Chicago
personal introduction to Delegate Chapman OF TINS
District, who in turn gave him note introducing
HIM to the favorable attention of Mr.. Huntington.
This was early in January, 1872. Between that time
and Feb. he had several interviews with Hunting
ton and secured the promise of the latter to work
in his behalf He had also seen Mr.. Nickerson. the
witness examined yesterday, who owned the patent
for treating the wood, and Nickerson had told him
that he could command very powerful influence
very strong and very powerful he SAID in referring
to IT in a letter to Huntington. This influence, emit
tenden thinks was to be exerted by the firm OF Dent
d. Paige or by Dent alone, though he is not very
clear on this point. The Dent referred to was
brother-in-law of the President.
De Golyer g. Mcclellan were so anxious to get the
contract at Board prices that they were not only
willing to allow Chittenden one-third of their
profits but they also authorized him to pay so
cents in addition to any who would OBJ
tain them an award. On the 9Th OF Feb
rnary Chittenden went to New-York, and on
bis return a few days later had an interview with
Huntington and agreed TO pay him for contract
certain price per yard, he thinks, 30 or 40 cents.
Huntington informed him that everything was
gong right and that he would, doubtless, get the
contract, although, as appears from Chittendens
own evidence he never made any application for
contract to the Board during Huntington's life.
Huntington died in March. After that Chittenden
was respondent for a few days and during this time
formed the acquaintance casually at the hotel of the
Rev. William Colvin Brown
Mr. Brown had been United States Consul at
II, bodh hoo 70 g q To
to some business and had stopped in Washington on
his way to Europe. He was man of sympathetic
nature. He showed Mr.. Chittenden q certificate
from the Episcopal Bishop of NewJersey, and when
he learned Chittendens business said he had lnfiu-
ence in Washington and would help him. Mr..
Chittenden agreed to give Brown five cents yard
in case the contract was awarded. Mr.. Brown was
acquainted with Gov. Cooke, but what other
acquaintance he had Chittenden says he does
not know. Mr.. Brown introduced Chittenden
to the Hon. Richard Parsons, Marshal of
the Supreme Court, and Chittenden gave
Parsons retaining fee of 5000,
and promised him $4,000 more if the contract was
awarded. He said he spent 80 days with Parsons
explaining to him the merits of the pavement. Gen.
Garfield was employed by Parsons About this time
Chittenden formed the acquaintance also casually
at the hotel of Col. Kirkland who had learned what
his business was and offered TO assist him. He
agreed with him to pay SO cents per yard for
any contract that was obtained. Col Parsons and
Gen. Garfield made arguments, but Chittenden does
not know what Brown and Kirkland did, except
that he expected them to talk around in favor of
the pavement and create opinion for it.
At last, late in June, Mr.. Brown informed Chit
tenden, at the hotel, that contract had been
awarded to him. He did not go to the office of the
Board of Public Works, but to Alex. r. Shepherds
store to bis private office, and there got the award
Chittenden got $4,000 in cash from De Golyer &
Mcclellan, in Chicago, forwarded $1,000 to Col.
Parsons and $4,000 its equivalent, to the Rev.
VIM Calvin Brown. He also got $4,000 in good
notes, and sent them by express TO Col Kirkland.
This story needs comment
The Committee spent hours to-day in attempting
to find out what Browne d Kirkland did to earn the
$500 that was paid them, but Chittenden pro-
fessed not to know They then asked him why he
agreed to give to men who were comparatively
strangers to him so large sum of money, and bis
reply was because he wanted to get contract. At
the same time he said he had unbounded confidence
in the pavement, and believed that he could get an
award on its merits. The impression left upon
every one who listened to-day that Chittenden
did not tell ali he knows The cross examination
will be continued tomorrow.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
WARRINGTON. Friday. April II, 1874
Tha riattn