The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-07
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The L"hors Of the estigntion--UDjus
sessments-Testimony OF Attorney

!
| Assessments--Testimo OF Attorney
| Cooke.
WASHINGTON, April 6, ls74
| The committee investigating the Distrct Of Co.
! lumDa affairs This morning examined az the first
witness A. b. Clark, who owns property on Massa-
chusetts avenue, between Fourteenth and FIJI
teenth streets. The witness objected to his
ment for the reason that only side ofthe street
was improved and he was left with a clay bank
Senators Edmnnds ana Bayard have residences on
the property thus improved The improvements
I were charged against the street and the tax
equally distributed ON both sides. whereas, the
witness complained, his property was not bene-
ated.
| On cross-examination the witness testified that
his property Yves worth 81 60 per foot, at least he
so considered 1t, but thought the prices at which
property was held in the neighborhood alluded TO
were fictitious; that he paid sixty cents per loot
for his property; that he not aware that Sena-
tors Bayard and Edmunds had protested against
the improvement, nor was he aware that Mr.. w.
W. Corcoran had recommended it. The improve
ment consisted OF grayelIing about fifteen feet and
tracing, &c.
Mr. William A. Cooke, Attorney TOR the District
OF Columbia was next examined with reference
10 check having been given him by samuel
strong, contractor. He was examined prncl-
paiiy by Judge wilson, and at FIRST appeared in.
ciined to he contumacious. Finally he testified
that in June, 1878, and prior to that time, he was
attorney for Mr.. Strong that in the month OF June
he went into his Office and found on his table a
check for $4,000 in favor OF william a. Cooke and
A. X. Brown; that he sent for Mr.. Brown and
stated TO him that ne would have nothing to DO
with the check Mr.. Brown also made a similar
statement; he subsequently asked Or. Strong why
the check was made Jointly and strong replied he
was dllatory u relation TO some details IN MS
brown to ala him: witness a then ap'0f lola Mr..
Strong that Mr.. Brown had rendered no service
ana ne would decline to receive the check; MI
strong SAID, "You can do what you please with IT,
and witness laid 1t aside; it has never been paid ;
It was PAYABLE on the First National Bank Of Wash
lnGtOn city, Witness further testified that the
check might be among his papers.
Judge Wilson asked witness whether he had any
conversation with MIR. Strong In which he asked
for money for his legal services prior to receiving
the check?
Witness replied that q few days before the check
was left In his Office he had asked Strong for
money; that he had attended TO his AFFAIRS as
attorney since 1870 and he thought Strong reason
! The witness was then asked under what law he
advised the Board OF Public " Orks to accept a
replied that he predicated his ADVICE upon a deci
sion OF the supreme Court that married woman
and Mcclellan contract he accepted a cnaltel
mortgage as security on materials and
the wife OF 9 i. Evansas snrety on the contracs.
OF her husband he ascertained that she was worth
over 100000 in property IN her own name In
| Massachusetts; witness denied that the Board OF
| Public Works had influenced his action with
| reference TO any decisions rendered BY him.
He was then asked who drew the
committee Of the Legislature; that he was
present when it was being enrolled and discovered
! an error in It; he recommended 1t be returned Tor
| correction; lie did not think the bill was signed by
| Governor Cooke when he discovered this error
/ he testified that SO much OF Mr.. Cagget's testi-
mOny as charged him with drawing all the bills Ior
the Legislature was untrue, but he stated tnat ne
] did draw good many bills Tor the Legislative
committee at their suggestion.
Judge Wilson asked him whether, since the COM
| mencement OF the investigation, any consultation
had been had with him and the board OF Public
Works with reference to furnishing the papers
called for by tue committee
He replied that at all the conferences at which
he was present Governor Shepherd was emphatic
that all papers called Tor should be promptly iur-
Mr.. Wilson requested witness to furnish the
| committee with draft or the Sewer bill Orig-
| nally drawn by him. and also as subsequently,
! amended by the committee.
Enoch TOtten, attorney Tor Mr.. Strong was next
examined ana stated that ne knew OF no recent
arrangements having been entered into between
Strong and the Board OF Pubic Works with view
OF settlement; that as an attorney for strong he
mad entered suit against the Board for money due
to his Client In reply to an lnterrOgat0ry by
Senator Allison, Mr.. Chrlsty, OF counsel for the
memOrialists, indicated that they could conclude
their case within two three days. Oh all points
except those which had application to the con-
tracts Of De Golyer and Mcclellan, and before en-
tering into which they wanted to examine ex-
Governor Cooke and certain nonresident wit
nesses, who had been summoned but had not yet
responded.
The committee, at halfpast twelve O'Clock r. H.,
adjourned until tomorrow.