, 1874-04-15


of Columbia investigation, involve two mom-
bors Of Congress from Ohio, and It Will require
some further explanation to satisfy the public
that others hnyo not shared in the plundor. Tho
facts aro these: In 1873, Mr.. George r. Chit
tanden, Of this city, mado ovorturoa to Do
Go1yer j. McClolland to obtain largo paving
contracts for thom from tho Bonrd Of Public
Works Of tho District Of Columbia, in considora-
ton of one.third Of the profits. Tho agroomont
vaB mado, and contracts wero subsequently, lot
to Do Golyer l. 11cClollanl for laying got, 900
yards of wooden-block pavement at $3.50 yard.
Chittandon. after obtaining the contracts, rc-
turned to Chicago and demanded $780, QUO. This
claim l1o reduced to 1000, which he received
in cash md notoB. Cllittondon represented that
tho 1000 was, in part, to pay expenses
ut Washington. Part Of the agreement WAS
that Chittonden WAS to stand between tho con-
tractors aud tho Boani Of Public Works in case
Of any trouble. They lald considerable amount
OF tho pavement, when it Was reported In July,
1873, to Gov. Shepherd, that like work with the
eane material in Chicago lad proved failure,
lun,bug. Tho Governor tloreupon ordered d
tiscontinuance Of work under the oontraots with
DaGolyer & McOlclland. When the work was
thus abruptly suspended the contractors had on
hand matcrial sufficient to complete G7,000 yards
| of pavement, which would prove to them q total
1osa. They urged tho 1ocal Government to allow
them TO uso up this matorial, but that waB ro-
fused, As lust effort thoy induced Alr. Charles
! D. Farwell, Of this city, to 60 to Washington, In
September, 1873, just on tho ovo Of the panic.
He laid tho casc before Gov. Shepherd, who con-
sonted that tho contractors might go on and uso
up the material they lad on hand.
The testimony Of Mr. R. Q. Parsons, the proc
Ont member of Congress from Cleveland, is tc
tho effect TINT he WIS retaiuod by 9fr. George r.
Chittendon to argue before the Board OF Public
Works the superiority OF the DoGolyor patous
for wooaon-blocls payoments. Before the Board
made tho Anal award he was called homo tc
Cleveland, and engaged Gen. Garfield o'
that ti.no Chairman Of tho House Committee OF
Approximations to act in his paco. This was
about the adjournment Of Congress- in 1872
|
he received his fee from Chittcnden aud pale
Garfield. The books Of noGolyer & McOlel
lpud Bhow that the 507, 900 paid by them to Chit
tonden WIS thuB recorded: George Il. Chitten
den, nuotes, e72 goo; n, @. P" Orchard q. Par
sopg>, $4,000; "n. 9. r" Orchard c, paraons)
5000; rs. ". D." Is. ". Brown, $4,000
The second Payment to Parsons Is supposed tt
, bo tho foo paid to Gon. Gazaeld. Tue nam
Of rs. ". Brown" Ia fictitious ono and It vii
romain with Mr. Chittondon to explain whom h
geta to Washington who that parsonage Ia.
Datca aro important in this case. AIr. Richar
O. Parsons was at tho timo Of this transaotio
Marshal Of tue Supreme Court Of tho Unite
States. According to tho evidence, Con. aarllol
!, maao his argument for the DoGolyer contract
| aftor the adjournment Of Congress In Junt
1872. lust after tho Philadelphia Convention
, Ha was taou Chairman OF the House Committe
: on Appropriations, and In tho succeeding wlntt
:. million Of lollnrs waa appropriated for pawn
asroste III Washington City.
Mr. Paraoua was thon candidate tor Coz
s. gregg iu Cleveland. aud was duly elootod in M
y yomber 1872, md, though he drow pay fro
March, 1873, did not take hia scat until Decor
ber Inst. Uo was not in faot member Of Coz
gross when ho rendered this service to DoGc
:, yer; ho was candidate only, aud went hefo
=. the people With peoolyer's $4,000 In l.
;, pocket aud told tho people that party viii
y had abolished slavory aud carriad on the War
- A. eucoessfui conclusion waB undoubtedly able
carry on this Government.
We hayo no idea what explanation Mr. CHI
r. tondon will make, nor why no soleotoa N
10 Parsons at tho high figure OF $1,000 to p1o
l. that the "ironized" wood was botter than d
X other. Mr.. Parsous had no particular ability
B. senutation that would recommend him vt auot
M | t.3aa rant Mr pkrnonk Maa hu Qhfn pulikinid