The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-06-19

WORSE THAN THE LAUNDAULET.
It appears from the testimony be-
fore the investigating committee that
the enterprise of Attorney-General
Williams was not confined to the
thrifty application of the contingent
fund of the Department of Justice,
OF to the purchase of a gorgeous
landaulet for the use of his family,
but took in the Board of Public
Works in its extended sphere of
operations. The facts as disclosed
in this last category are curious, but
by no means, surprising.
About two years ago Mrs. Williams
purchased in her own name a square
Of ground in the centre of the disttict
made famous by the "real estate
pool" and near Castle Stewart, at q
cost of some 100000. Last year she
had erected on it her present luxuri-
GUS residence. This ground lies
high, and it had to be graded.
Application was made 70 the Boss
for that purpose, and ho ordered it
to be done at the public expense, as
the records of the board show.
After the first Payment for this
work the scandal got abroad, and
then Shepherd and his confederates,
taking the alarm from the threaten
ed investigation; attempted to put
the responsibility on q subordinate,
and repudiated their own. contract.
Their virtue took violent turn after
the discovery, as will be seen by the
narrative which is made up from the
official papers.
The first step was a letter written
by Mrs. Willirms to the Boss, dated
Oct, 7, 1878, as follows:
-Ihope not to be obliged to trouble you again
for some time. The high ground lying next to
our lot needs lowering some, and as there are
be glad If the dirt for that purpose could be
taken from our land, as 1t Is the nearest point
for obtaining SOIL"
Accept my thanks for past favors, and be-
lieve me, with high esteem, most faithfully
your friend"
This document is quite business
like in style, and clearly indicates
that it was only one Of a similar
series. 1t was endorsed on the back
by the Boss with a military order:
"Mr johnson See that these things are at
tended to; call special attention. a. Il, s."
The next day Mr.. johnson ex-
pedited the instructions of his Mas
ter:
Respectfully referred to Col, Clement Hill,
general inspector, who will please attend to
these matters at once BY order of the board"
EDWARD JOHNSON, Assistant Sec'y.
With all the energy which the in
spector was able to apply, he could
not start the work before the 14th of
October-six days after the general
order was issued from headquarters.
But when he did begin, it was in the
spirit of his chief:
"BoARD OF PUBLIC WORKS,
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 1873.
Gentlemen: You are hereby requested to
grade and fix the property of fAuorney.General
Williams to the satisfaction Of Mrs Williams.
The work must be commenced at once and
finished without delay.
by order Of the board.
Very respectfully,
CLEMENT HILL, General Inspector.
MEssRs. RILEY & CLARK.
Inside of twenty-four hours this
active inspector reported as follows;
placed the gas up to her house. Messrs. Riley
& Clark have commenced to do the grading
that Mrs. Williams requested done, and l will
see 1t completed to her satisfaction.
NnrN
CLEMENT HILL, General Inspector.
The contractors wanted their mon
ey for part of the work, and they
applied to Shepherd, with this result;
"ExEouTIvE OFFICE, |
WASHINGTON, Dec 49, 1873
DEAR SIR: The Governor directs me TO re-
quest you 10 have the work done by Riley &
Clark around Gen. Wllliamss property meas.
ured, &C., so that u settlement can DO effected
at once Very respectfully,
VIM. TINDALL, Secy to Governor
HON. HENRY A. WILLARD Vice-Presiddnt
Board Of Public Works.
This was referred to the engineer,
Mr.. Cluss, who knew nothing about
the matter, though it belonged to his
department. The order had been
given over his head. Upon going to
the ground he discovered that the
bill rendered was only partial, that
another had been presented, and the
work was still going on. He order
cd it stopped, and then the truth
was forced out that under the direc-
ton of Shepherd this property was
being improved at the public charge,
In order to conceal the transac-
ton, Oertly one Of the engineers,
who was used by Shepherd for all
the false measurement, reported that
the soil removed from Williams lot,
came from Rhode Island avenue, and
it was SO charged and paid, as ap-
pears by the report Of the Treasurer,
Magruder:
"Iss
"0ct. 9O-Riley & Clark, Rhode Island av-
enue between Seventh street and New Jersey
avenue Sl,l5O.95."
Riley, ono Of the contractors, was
called and asked:
"Q.-Were you paid for that work? Ayes,
"o.-What amount2 Al think it was 81
l508j.
"Q'-Your firm? Ayes. sir; Riley 4 Clark
"Q.-Did the firm Of Riley Clark do any
work whatever on Rhode Island ayeDueG Al
Never. They never did n stroke Of work on ".
"Q.-Did you do any work between these
points for the Board Of Public Works. A.-No
sir never did.
Q.--Did your partner? A.-No, sir.
This fraud was entered among the
disbursements of the Treasurer with
full knowledge of its iniquity. Not
satisfied with that Shepherd and his
associates refused to pay the poor
contractor for what they had ordered
TO be done and tried to escape by
making their creature, Hill, the in
spector, take the load on his own
shoulder to save the Boss. When
Riley was examined on this point he
made it clear enough:
Q.-"Your complaint really is that you dit
certain work and have not got your pay for III
.A.-NO. sir / have not. even had 10 sell IDy
horses and curts 10 pay my men on at Christ
mas and have paid the last penny owe.
"Q-How much work did you do on the ~
torney-Generals premises. A.-Wen, that u
the measurement
HQ.-What is the amount~the number o.