New-York tribune., 1874-05-06

stockholders. The profits this job sufficient
to repay what had been assessed At meeting held
about that time, it was voted to assign stock to
various persons named, on the payment of 20 per
cent assessment and TO distribute at out of the
profits of the work already done dividend Of 90
per cent. Among those who were allowed to take
stock in this way were VIM. j. Murtagh, the prOprie-
tor of The Washington National Republican; Crosby
S. Moves editor of The Washington RreninS Star and
S. III. Kaufman President of The Star Company.
These men, like the Credit Mobilier Congressman,
bought their stock, but paid for it with a
dividend. At that time OF soon afterward, the
Company did work for the Board of Public Works,
ort of which it realized profit of 40 per cent
about $4,000 In the latter part of 1872 measures
were taken to wind up the affairs of the Company.
Judge Wilson, in examining Lewis Clephane to-day,
from whose testimony these facts were learned,
pressed him very hard before he would tell what in
duced them to discontinue the Company. He finally
admitted that there were in it some dead beats"
who contributing nothing to the interests of the
Company. and those who did the work became tired
OF dividing the profits with such They thought
that it would be better for them to do the work in
their own names and have all the profits. He did
not say that these newspaper men were among these
dead BEATS"
The testimony, the substance of which has been
here given, surprised nobody who has watched the
course of The Republican and Star since the present
Investigation was proposed At first they protested
against any investigation at all. and personally
abused often beyond the bounds of decencv, every
one who dared to doubt that the affairs of the Dis
trict were managed with the greatest wisdom and
economy. Correspondents who have done nothing
but report fairly the proceedings of the Committee
have been informed by name that they were having
too much swing in this town." and virtually threat
ened with expulsion. The opposition of these papers
to the investigation is now explained. Their man
ayers acting in self-defense.
SEMI-oFFICIAL DETAILS OF THE TESTIMONY.
TGESERAL PRESS DIsPATCH.l
WASHINGTON, May 5.-In the District of Co.
lumbia investigation to-day George r. Cbitcnden
recalled with reference to negotiation for the purchase
OF the Harewood estate In the suburbs Of the city, nom
W. W. Corcoran the banker. He testified that through
the Rev. Calvin Brown he made arrangement for the
purchase of the property for s225O and considered
that Brown was acting as his agent. But,
in the time, Kirkland and Brown
negotiated for the purchase on their own
account Kirkland advancing $4,000 a forfeit TO be
applied to the purchase money should tho sale be con-
summated. Correspondence and kilograms were pro-
duced, showing that Chittenden endeavorng to
raise the money for the purchase in Philadelphia, while
Kirkland operating in the direction In Chicago.
Brown appearing agent Washington. The tono OF
correspondence and kilograms showed that Chitten
den unsuccessful in Philadelphia. but that Kirkland
succeeded in raising $4,000 from the Manufacurers'
National Bank Of Chicago, which was teegraphed TO his
credit with Riggs & Co OF this city, The negotiation
failed and the deposit money was returned to the Rev.
Calvin Brown
Mr. Mattingy announced that. If uninterrupted. the
District Government would close their defense IN two
days.
The Committee made the announcement that they
would be allowed proceed but that after they closed
they would examine into the safe burglary Of the Dis
which had been referred TO them for in
yestigation by the House of Representatives.