National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-05-22

that he, being member of the board,
should have reported any irregularities OF
errors, Mr. Wilson was dumb. His work
was done. Cluss had arranged with him
n advance TO testify to certain things, and
Wilson wanted no others. To make it fast
and sure, it was put in writing. Now, the
sequel of this "put-up job" is yet to come.
Cluss is to be cross-examined on the record.
Had he been called in regular manner.
and examined without previous training,
he might have saved his reputation, or
what he had left thereof But it is now
too late. The records of his own office
will show him on unconscionable liar or a
consummato fooI-a liar if he knew
tho facts, or fool if he did not.
He swore deliberately, according 10 the
correspondent of the Tribune. who is GER
tainly as free from prejudice in this matter
as is Mr.. Wilson, thst-all the measurements
ofthe Evans Concrete Company were made,
and the accounts paid. without his knowl,
edge or approval. A hssty inspection of
the vouchers shows that he signed and ap,
proved not less than sixteen of these youch-
crs alone. He says that he had. nothing to
do with fixing the price of tagging laid
around Government property. The record
shows that he, and he alone, fixed the price
And so on m regard to every material allie
CATION he made. How he could ever have
been persuad ed to place himself in posi-
ton to be literally disc mboweled by hi:
own signature and his own acts is unex
plainable, except upon the hypothesi:
which has for years found embodiment in
this community in the expression Cray
Cluss," or upon the other, that the rumor
that he has been promised, in any changes
likely to be made in thc local g5SvernmGnt
more flattering recognition, is true.
But, suppose it shall be shown that Mr,
Cluss has sworn to facts which his own sig
nature refutes? What is the name of thai
crimeH and what shall be said of commit
tee member, sitting in solemn judgment OIL
this case, who has suborned witness to
such disgrace and outrage? Mr.. Wilson,
has not this class Of proceeding on your par
gone quite far enough2 Do you expect to
retain the respect of your associates, to say
nothing of your own, by getting down tc
the low level of the detective, or becoming
the mere conduit through which every dirty
SANDER and personal grievance is to be
poured into the ears of The committee? Is
it so far necessity to you that to mitigate
the disgraceful failure of credit mo-
bilier legislation and the sin Of the
salary robbery, you must needs seek
the ruin of other regulations, with
out regard to truth or fairness, or even de-
cent appearances? Would you not really
be ashamed to have it known to what ex
tent you have gone in the role of the detec,
tive, in consorting with every malcontent
who dared approach you, and to have the
evidence adduced from the record, to say
nothing of your private declarations, that
from the beginning you had no other pur-
pose than to bring in verdict of guilty on
all the charges, whether the facts warranted
it or not? These be pregnant questions for
you, Mr.. Wilson, and we commend them
to your consideration. When you have
done with them we have some more to
ask.