The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-15
WHY MELBOURNE Is DUMB.
CONCEiLTNG GRINT'S INHERENT IN
the RE.fL ENT.fTE I'OOL.
A Deed from Haiiett Klibourne to the rresi-
dent-vniuabIo Property that was Im-

u
A Deed from Haiiett Kiibourne to the presi-
dent-vniuabic Property that was Im-
proved mt the Cost Of the Government.
WAsHINGToN March 4.-IIallctt Kill
bourn's motive in Withholding the names OF tho
members of the real estate pool has been
learned tonight. II furnishes an additional
reason for not wishing to connect Ulysses S.
Grant with the operations Of the Ring. when
the District Of Columbia Investigation was In
progress, at tho time Of the frst session
OF the Forty-third Congress, Mr.. Kill
bourn was an important witness. He refused
then, as he has refused the special committee
OF this Congress, to divulgo the names OF
tho members Of the Real Estate pool. The pri-
va,e books OF Kiburn, Latta Olnstead would
then have revealed inform alton that must have
involved the President and condemned the Ring
forever The majority Of the committee wero
Republicans, and no reason was ever
given for not putting MIR. Kllbourn In
contempt OF the Forty.third Congress, IS
he IA to-day In contempt OF tho House OF the
Forty-fourth. The Investigation closed. no
notice was taken OF Kilhourne's refusal to an =
swer. and then tho subject was supposed to be
forgotten. TWAS not Thought that the fall elec-
tlon OF 1874 would send 10 Congress "a Demo-
cratic majority, aud while tho kepuolicsns were
In power there was no danger OF involving or
permitting any nigh official To be Involved IN the
scandal that tho real estate speculation had
brought on the Administration.
There was Bsbcock who, IN 1859, swore-and
an army officer Is never guilty Of perjury-that
his salary alone barely supported him. Now no
"a worth between $4,000 snd $lhl.O00. IA can be
abuniantiY proved. hut In 1874 kiOouru re-
fused to answer the same questions That he
| again refused to answer to-day.
During tho District investigation the private
books Of Hallett kibourn would have unnts-
takably shown that President Grant WAS pirt-
ner In the real estate pool and the same fact
would appear to-day II the committee could
| obtain possession OF the books. Now more than
ever II - important to conceal that fact, ana
| here Is the damning record IL needs no elaoo-
ration or explanation, as 1t Ia copy from the
oihcial documents
q December. is7a Ieeqgde9 June 0. 1874 iieer 5sa
:aSS's9 Of square ais subj {. % deed OF ITS Ss
40, folio III, upon w0icn there. remain. un
pad OF prlnc,pi. tae sum ,Sf 20 90 o. and ana
Decembsr 1873, Also su Jet saothe deed Of ~
dated 3oin OF Juiv, 1873 am recorded IN Libei nay
the sum of ssod65g with interest thereon from July
1873 which SAID incumbranccs and deeds OF trust "a,
said Grant hereby assumes to nay r. part OF the pur
| chase money. ConNdcrsdon. fe',3ij 80.
| II will be seen that pending tho Investigation
| from the time IL was talked of ON the assem-
| bling of tho f0rtv-third Congress in December
| lo13, until the Investigation closed, the record
| ~ President Grants trgUsactions was even Kept
| from the official records Of tho district. lax
books of kilb urne ard Laita would hav.
shown the transa 'tions ana connection OF
| Grant; hence the refusal then to answer ques-
| tions or to produce their sO-ciiled prlNile
| DOCKS. Alter tbe INVESTIGATION WAS over lE'
| transactions Of the President were recorded.
the rest Of tho story Is moro shameful than
the beginnlngaud expl 'ins why Nr. hilhoern ie
| fused to answer the ln;erTOgaiinns OF the House
| Committee preferrinR even room in the com
mon jail to compromising himself by divnlgins
| now what he reiused.nnd was protected IN refus
| ing, to give to the District Joint Investigating
| Committee OF the Fort third Congress.
| The property above mentioned Is located a
| the Intersection CT Rhode Island Avenue Circl,
| and Thirteenth street Every inch OF ciuhing
| every square foot Of the finest pnalt pavement
every yard OF Tagging was paid tor by the United
| states, the Circlo being being puOli,
| reservation. More than that, tho wori
| OF improving the Presidents interest IL
| the real estate pool was lntrusted to Gen
| Babcock. Superintendent Of Public Buildtngi
and Grounds. and Thousands upon thousands ol
| dolisrs were expended 10 neautifyin9 this unr
| ticular Locality st the expense OF tie people o
| the country. In excess .of sums paid In othci
quarters. wnile tho citizens OF the district wer,
additionally taxed to pay for the extraordinir'
| and upcaled fOu improvements which were {,
| m .ko real estate in an unpopuldted part o
Washington a desirable investment to seeker
OF good sites Tor residences.
The circle above named corresponds with th'
circle on which ex-senator Stewarts residencl
fronts at the Intersection VI Connecticut ave
nue. he record cannot TO oo.iterated, anG
though Mr. kilbourne refuses to an
swer. II II mis- silent accuser, and thu
interpreter too. of his silence. IL
might as well descend from the fourth story o
the District Jail. where he Is incarcerated 10
night. and give to the committee that which !
hereN ith given without the aid Of a dices dtcuA
or Subpoena from the Real Estate Pool Com
uittee.