Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-04-16
The DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
Proceedings Of the Joint Congressional Committee.
Conclusion Yesterday Proceedinxs

Proceedings Of the Joint Congressional Committee
Onclusfon Yesterdays Proceedings
Our report of the District of Columbia inves-
tigation committee closed yesterday with
A. N. GIBSON, OF THE NEW YORK SUN,
on the stand. Witness was asked how long a
time he desiI ed for consideration of the question
as to whether he would tell who it was that told
him A. q. Harmer was interested with the Board
OF Public Works in contracts.
The WitIess.-That depends upon circum-
stances; as soon as 1 can see the parties.
Mir. ThuImaD.-I know very we'll we all
know; we all feel that this is a very delic st-
matter. ] he liberty OF the press cannot BE-
cherished too strongly in free country, while
at the sane time the right OF a man 70 the pro
lection of his reputation cannot be cherished too
strongly; and tor myself L am willing to give
you a reasonable time to see the person who
made the communication, and learn IL he ha
any objection to your disclosing his name.
The Witness.-I wish the committee to under
stand this. am speaking now of specific infOr
nation that was given to me. Outside of that
there was that common rumor concerning this
gentleman, and these other gentlemen with it,
out 1 want il understood it was not upon that
common rumor that based il.
MIR. Thurman.-So we understand IL; and Ii is
not about any common rum0r that inq uire.
but about specific information.
Mr.. A. G. Harmer.-Msy 1 be allowed to in
quire whether the party the witness refers to is
now in Washington?
The witness.-I do not know; he may be or he
may not.
MIR. Harmer.-I want to know IL the party
whom you refer to as being your Informant il
in Washington?
The witness-I say he may be or nsy not be.
Mr.. Harmer-DO you know whether he is or
not? A. No, sir; DO not.
Mr.. HaTmer addressing the committed
May be allowed 10 explain at this time.
The Chairman.-One moment, Mr.. Harmer.
Mr.. Harmer.-I do not wish to interrupt the
committee in their consultations, OF course.
The witness wish to say this, also, that
have not looked at this letter carefully. aud
want 1t borne in mind that 1 have not stated
here yet that wrote that letter.
Mr.. Thurman.-We understand that.
The witness have not seen it since the
day 1t was published, until it was handed me
here.
The Charman.-The committee will give You
a reasonable time to communicate with yolr
informant, and If you can do so between now
and to- morrow morning the committee will be
glad to have you.
The Understanding.
By the Chairr,an:-Q. We shoIid like to have
you do so by tomorrow morning Friday morn
ing, at all events.
The Witness-Certainly.
The ChsrmaD.-The examination of the wit
ness will then be suspended until to- morrow
Il orning at 10 O'Clock.
Mr.. HARNER's POSITIVE DENIAL
Mr.. HaImer then at his own request took the
stand. He was asked if he desired TO be sworn,
ard he answered emphatically, 81 do" He
u ade substantially the following statement:
81 desire to say i'll connection with the letter
referred to, which / merely hear from outside
IumOr, not from the committee, that a letter
appeared in the New York Sun, OF which paper
MIR. Gibson Is the CORES pondent, charging To at
was connected with contractors in this Dis
trict L never saw that letter, neither had a
knowledge of Ii until my attention was called
10 1t o-day. A short time ago L did, probably
i say short time probably year or a year
and half ago-I read a letter from the Wash
ineton correspondent Of the New York San, in
WLich 1t was stated that was stakeholder in
some paving company, think the Metropoli-
tan. Again, there was charge made, and
think BY the same correspondent, that was
connected with General III. ii. Bingham in a
contract in this city. L desire TO ray &C this
time that, so far as my connection, or a charge
Of my connection with contracts here is con-
cerned, that i have never been interested,
directly or indirectly, with any contractor in
this District, in any shape, manner or form
AS far as the charge OF my connection with
the paving company is concerned, L never
knew such a paving company was in existence,
although my name was mentioned in the
New York Sun as one of the stockholders
Referring to Gen. Bingham reference that
was made, think, by the sa ne correspondent
referring to my connection with Gen. Bingham
viii say that never knew that he ever had a
contract in this city until after Ii was com
plettd. That is my statement in regard to the
charges made by this correspondent in the New
York Sun. 1 am glad to have an opportunity T.
come before the committee to make this state
ment. felt that IL WAS due to myself, AMI du
10 the position that hold, that should make
it, will be pleased, if the committee have any
questions to ask me. to make replies thereto
AS for Mr.. Gibson. l ne yer saw the gentleman
until to- day, TO my knowledge. 1 feel it is due
to me, Mr.. Chairman, that this committee shall
compel him, If possible, to give the name of his
informant. He stated here that his informant
was friend OF mine. Had he have sail an
enemy, 1t would not have carried with it the
same force that IL does when he says that a
friend OF mine made this statement to him. Il
swered.
BY the Charman:-Q. will ask You IL you
have at any time received any profits from any
contractors In this city or in this District? A.
Never, to the amount OF a single penny, in any
shape or form.
@. Or the promise OF any profits? A. Never
the promise Of any interest or any payment
from any contractor in this District. [ never
have had any interest, direcr or indirect, in any
contract, in any shape or form.
CoRRoBoRATEs Mr.. HARMER.
DIT. L. 8. Hilbert was then sworn: II I'd ex-
ecuted contracts under the board; Mr.. Harmer
had never had any interest with him, directly
or indirectly, in any contract; had done grading
for the Board OF Public Works here; also laii
with Jonathan Taylor, Vandenburg & Co.. and
Mr.. Slater in executing work under the board;
wasa stakeholder in the Metropolitan Paving
company owned patent OF the vulcanits pave
ment, and was promised ten cents royalty per
yard; sub-let some Of the contracts; had never
been allowed extra compensation, and was paid
only the contract price; the board still owed
him ten or fifteen thousand dollars. He then
explained the cost of laying the Miller and other
WOOD pavements.
GIBSON CoNTRADICTED BY JENKINS.
Judge jenkins was then rec allied, with refer
ence 10 letter written by Geo. II. Chittenden
to De Golyer & Mcclellan, about Nav 80, 1872.
and letters which he, jenkins, had shown Glib
son, of the New York Sun. In relation to the
letters Of Chittenden ne said he had DESTROY we'd
them and the copies thereof, as he did not be-
lieve the allegations contained therein to be
truthful; Chittenden had given $4,000 to Hen.
5. &. Parsons, and $4,000 in cash and his note
to Colvin Browne for - 600; the notes were sold
by Chittenden to Col Kirkland, aud by him to
one Ira b. Holmes; De Golyer g. Mcclellan
were completely magnetized by Chitlenden;
Mr.. Gibson, who testified in answer to some
questions put to him in relation to an article
which appeared In the Sun on the 1st day of
December last, is totally in error In stating that
he had seen that letter at that time, because
never saw Mr.. Gibson until the 18th day Of
January Of this year, and be could not have
based his statement in that letter upon ANYTHING
that i showed him on the 18th of January fol-
lowing. mention thst while he is present, 80
that be can correct 1t il he desires.
HOPKINS BROTH RR-iN-LAw.
j. *. Golding testified that he had conversed
with j. II. Hopkins about contracts; Hopkins
wanted money, and promised to get him. q con-
tract If he would pay well; Hopkins was will
ing 70 get him anything he wanted, and said
that his brother in law, BRseett. was Governor