National Republican., 1876-04-11
DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
VIM. q. Brainard's Contract Work.

The House Committee on the District Of Co.
lumbia yesterday morning resumed the inyestigs-
tion into the affairs of this District.
WIN. II. Brainard testified that at present he is
claim agent; from 1872 to 1874 he was contractor
under the Board of Public Works; put IN sea
walls at James creek canal; about two thirds Of
the work remained to be done when the Board Of
Public Works was abolished. When the new
government was organized there were nearly
900 due him. Lieutenant Hoxie, District en-
gneer, remeasured work in the latter part of De-
cember, 1874 and 1878 Hoxie condemned the
whole work, leaving balance OF $4,000 due wit.
ness. Witness received the payroll due him, and
paid all he (witness) owed, except Washington
Nailor. Intended TO pay him, but party bor-
rowed some money from him twitness) and never
returned it, so he was unable TO pay Nailor The
money due Nailor was for carriage hire, although
TO the biII: the board Of audit never asked him to
swear to it; knew that the money was appropri-
ated to pay the laborers; thought he had right
put it in as carriage hire it would not have been
paid. With the exception Of Nailors bill the re-
mainder was all for labor, and the money was
paid TO the lab0rers. Witness asked for and re-
eeived power of attorney TO collect the money.
Do not know that any one swore that the account
was correct. 1t was paid witness rs attorney.
Never made an aftdavit before q Mr.. Lazenby,
though remembers that some of the powers OF at.
torney were acknowledged before Lazenby as
member, Wholly Brainerd. sub-let most of
their work, and
OWED VERY FEW LABoRERs DIRECTLY.
Col. d. F. Hamllnk was his attorney; they
were previously partners; went into partnership
in October, 1874, and dissolved In December, 1876
Owed Ferris for money borrowed; have lived here
eight years; borrowed the money in Julesburg,
Ill. Ferris gave power OF attorney to Hamlink TO
draw the money from witness; borrowed the
money from Ferris to carry on the work. The
final allowance by the board ofaudit was between
$4,000 and $4,000; the money was drawn by Ham.
N a G his ottOrUey.4. H2mllnG
euse, New York, having LETT here on Friday; he
will return on Thursday. Witness got Ferris to
appoint III. his attorney. Witness put all of his
business IN Hamlink's hands te settle up. Wit
ness cent $500 of the money due Ferris TO him.
Took IL out Of the concern Of Hamlink& Co. There
was no time hxed for the payment Of the money
back to Ferris. He advanced witness altogether
5000; 5000 at one time, 5000 at another,
10e at another, and 600 at another. Never Z
gave any note for IL; WAS 10 pay 10 per cent per
year for II as interest. Shere was no agreement.
Ferris is the father-in-law Of witness, Hays paid
him back altogether between q 900 and n, ,0o0 de.
sides 900 interest. The whole Of the money re- 4
bonds, and instead Of their goinf up they went
the bonds Outright and hypothessted them. Told /
Mr.. Ferris last fall how the money was lost, and
why he had not paid him; was In the habit Of
signing every paper thai Hamlink wanted him to i
sign snpposfDg that everything was legitimate
and straight. Understood from Hamlink That
Insulting was sll right, and TINT It was 10 more
than any other contractor would DO; pss informed
by Hamlink that the change uas q mere matter
OF form. Witness stih ovsss uguber Of HIS sub
cOutractort. - = s4-- - =. >
The ccmmittse adjourned ustll sais morning.