The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-01-09
WASH INGTON.
The Pacific Mail Observation-Disclosures
man Schumacher before the Committee.

The Pacific Mail Envestig atiOn.-CO Congress.
man Schumacher before the Committee.
WASHINGTON, Jan. S.-The Ways and Means
Committee met at II o'clock, and resumed the
Pacific Mail investigation.
Richard G. Parsons, the present member of
Congress from Cleveland, Ohio, District, being
asked if he knew anything about the procure
ment of the increased subsidy in 1877. answer
ed in the affirmative and proceeded to read
statement, of which the points are as follows:
About three years ago witness was employed
by Stockwell as his lawyer, to aid him in pre-
senting to Congress the application for an in
creased subsidy. The arrangement was made
with Stockwell individually, he being an old
friend and client of witness in Cleveland, where
both resided. In pursuance of this arrange
ment witness devoted much time and labor to
the collection of statistics and the preparation
of an argument in favor of the increase, prov
ing its value and the Importance to commerce
and shipbuilding and other interests of the
country. He openly did all he could to urge
this measure upon the individual members of
Congress, never asking any one for his vote,
and securing attention to facts and the argu-
ments presented. His connection with the
matter was well known in Ohio, as we'll as in
Washington. and was not in any way conceal
ed.
from Mr.. Stockwell $4,000, and he thinks also
S15 900 from Mr.. Irwin by draft on New York.
He paid no proportion of this money to any
one else except $1,000 to his brother-in law, who
rendered MIN valuable S6rNlCt DIS HIS Ci6Tk III
gathering statistics, and $4,000 of this amount
was for travelling and printing expenses, and
his fee consisted of the remainder, namely,
$4,000 The witness had no knowledge what
ever of any member of Congress receiving
money, or being approached corruptly, or that
Irwin was spending any money in that or in
any other way except for household expenses.
Mr.. Parsons was examined at considerable
length, and confirmed by his answers all the
foregoing statements. His testimony was Civ
en- under oath.
John G. Schumacher was then sworn and tes-
titled that during the years 1871, ~ and IA, he
| had been an attorney for the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company, and also for Stockwel
and Irwin, individually.
Odd you in May, 1872 have in your pos
session check drawn by r. B. Irwin for S75,
| 600?
Al had check for that amount given me
| by client in confidential relations, and / am
| under the impression that the check was drawn
| by r. b. Irwin.
Odd you receive this check from r. B. r.
| win.
| A-That question relates to confidential rela-
| tions between client and counsel. l would like
| to tell you if permitted by my client
Q-What portion of the amount was for your
| personal service?
Ain the neighborhood of $4,000
The witness then testified that he took this
| check to the Brooklyn Trust Company by di-
recton of his client and converted itinto checks
| which, by direction of this client, were sent by
the Brooklyn Trust Company to another client:
After considerable questioning and repeated
protests on the part of the witness against in
vading privileges in confidential communica-
| tions. the witness finally stated that the three
| checks for $50, 900 each, which were drawn from
| the proceeds of this $275,000 check, were sent
| to the Pacific Mail Company in New York.
Witness further stated that the remaining
| Sl25. 900 was, by mistake of the Brooklyn Trust
Company, placed to his individual credit in
their books, and that he therefore drew out all
this sum except $4,000 by his individual checks
and sent them all at one time and in one direc-
ton by order of his client to parties whom his
client designated.
Q-Wili you give the names of the persons
among whom the $115,0 900 were distributed?
| Al cannot without the consent of client.
Q-Was this client who gave you these in
structlons the same person or being, or entirely
from whom you received the check for $780,
! 900?
A-That is question Of law, and besides it
| is going into confidential relations
| Q-What instructions were given YOU as to
the disposition of the avails of the 1915, 600
check?