, 1874-05-08
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.


WARRINGTON, D. G., May 7.--Tho on1y witness
examined before tho District Investigation Com
mittce today wns Gov. Shepherd. The questions
propounded to him had heen prepared by Mr.
Mattingly, and tho answere rehearsed in advance,
30 that tue performance paBsed without hitch
or hesitation up to the point whore senntor
Thurman took the witnoas in hand. From that
time On the Governor found 1t necessary to fro
quently consult records and reportH before re-
plying. Mr. Thurman dug cut several impor-
tant facts during his croas.examination OF tho
Goyernor,-among others, that tho Dis
trict Government, since it's organzs~
ton, has run in debt S1G,00o,000 over
and above all tho appropriations BY Con-
gress aud levies Of taxes upon tho peoplo.
Among come Of tho extraordinary itema Of ex-
ponditure WAS found one Of $4,000 for
KEErINa IN REPAIR BONE OLD TOWN PUMPS;
another Of $300,000 for cleauing stroots and
alloys, aud another Of bl8U, ,00o paid for adyor-
tssipg in tho so-callcd ol1lcal newspapers.
Boa1a l. ID s II 81 W %o St fs
publican 5000; tho Euenino Star $4,000.
The remainder Of the appropriation was divided
up among some twenty publications in this city
and phsaPhhat Phht Eysry ta%
in Tie amount paid each. The unanl1nity witb
which the so-called newspapers Of thH city have
defended tho ring, is eaatly accounted for BY an
Board of Public Works. Tho investigation ,wil
virtually close with tho crosB-examination Of
Gov. Shepherd, which will be continued to-mor-
row. The bogus safe robbery will then be lu-
ITO thu Associated frtss.1
GOV. HuEruEHD QUESTIONED.
WASHINGTON, 1lay TIN tho Dlstriot OF
Columbia investigation, this morning, Gov.
Shepherd was examined in reference to the
improvements Of roads leading to suburban
property; tho filling up Of tho old canal; the
justice Of the general sewerage tax tho prices
paid by the Board Of Public Works for wood and
conorote pavement, al compared with other
matters. Ho submitted a larGa amount OF doou-
mentRry testimony. His examination will bo
continued after tho recess.
Gov. Shepherd WAS Oh the stand until the hour
Of adjournment, mud will 10 oross-examinau to-
morrow. Whom asked II he l'ad auy knowledge
Of any conspiracy to seouro and control con"
tracts, as rot forth in the first charge OF the me-
mo1iallsts, he answered: I have no knowledge
OF any conspiracy, nor DO bolievo that any coll
tracts we're awarded to tho parties set forth, IN.
lebB on account Of tAeir business standing, aud
their ability to do tho work to tho satisfaction.
Of the board Of Public Works. The prlces pail
principal cities paid for the same work. y
lie toatiAed that De Golyor l. hcolelland
were allowed to lay additional pavement, after
having been stopped, OH certificate from the
Board Of Public Works Of Chicago, that the Do.
0olyer pavement laid In that city, es fer as II
had beon tested, was good ono. He did not
think that, at tho pricea paid the firm, they could
afford to pay. . bonus Of $685. 8,00r to secure tle
contract, and to do good work; aud that he did
not know such bonus had boon paid, or he
would not haye allowed foot OF It to bo laid.
Witness further testified TINT It cost $l22, 1l8 to
t1ll up tho .cannl aud that the reclaimed land
which accrued to the Government was valued At
Bomethiug over $2.000,000.
With reference to
MEASUREMENTS ARouND THE GOVERNMENT PROP
ERTYt
witness thought In one OF tro instances ths9