The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-25

TESTIMONY BEFORE THE CONGRESSIONAL CON-
MITrEK---voucHEEs FoR TIE PAYMENT or

TESTIMONY BEFORE THE CONGRESSIONAL CON-
MIrTEK---voUcHEEs FoR rRE PAYMENT or
CONTRACTS NOT MADE.
Tho Congressman composing the subcommittee Of
tho Eouse Committee Expenditures Of Public Build
lugs. appointed inquire The expenditures for the
furniture OF the federal building occl,.
pied by the United States Courts and New YORK Post
Office met yesterday morning in the Office Of Post
master James, Congressman Poppleton in the chair.
The Postmaster placed his main room, with It's teo.
graphic apparatus, At the disposal OF tho committee.
The main Of the committee Is ascertain why
1927 in of the appropriation Tor constructing
and furnishing that building was expended by the
superintendent OF the building and whether the
tractors charges EXCESSIVE Tho lrss witness
called Joseph w. Barton receiver and inspector OF
materials for the construction OF the Post once
Several days ago while under examination at Washing
ton, nc testified that he performed his duties
under the instructions OF the superintendent Of
Buildings and had Inspected ghths Of
tho material used in tho construction Of the Post
Once. The supcrintendents books should show the
amount oi money expended and tho condition or the
appropriation Witness had never taken particulas
pains 10 ascertain the condition OF the appropriation
Before tho committee yesterday his testimony related
TO tho method OF managing the Office Of the superin
tendcnt, the keeping OF the books &c He
qucStcd 10 produce the books and papers IN his charge
during the construction or tho Post Office, and prom
sed to do These papers tain a complete record
Of materials furnished and accepted, time rolls and
list Of employees Witness said that each foreman
expected 10 keep record. OF his aud to make
daily reports Copies ot the original contracts were
kept IA the Office OF the superintendent and payments
mndo thereon These payrols were made out monthly,
from the records in that Office and vouchers TOR tho
payment Of contractors made except ut their
quest Tho amount Of estimates contained in tho
monthly reports filed by drafts Of funds
from tho Secretary of the Treasury. Tho estimates
OF funds did not accompany the monthly reports; pre-
vious to tho complexion OF tho building witness had
received satisfactory knowledge that the appro
been exhausted learned II officially aud for the FIRST
time September IL 1873, by letter from tho Super
vising Architect 10 tho Superin tcndcnt;
whether the appropriation had been exhausted becaua
II WAS not his duty TO ito So
The letter was produced and put In evidence II was
never answered. Witness could not tell why He re-
icrrcd the committee To the books and monthly
ports IN the office OF tho superintendent Tor the
amount OF furniture placed IN the building after tho
ccipt OF the letter.
From memory witness gave the items of furniture
Gtings &c received after the letter. about
$l25, 600 The contracts Tor window shades ald
pets Inspected by witness but he could not toll
IRON what appropriation. they were paid Tor. After
the appropriation was exhausted carpets, &c,
purchased by order Of the supervising architect,
costing SlS,3i 90 Witness could not tell what
amount work done material inspected atel
receipt OF the letter announcing that the appro praon
had been exhausted Probably the material Inspected
alter that time amounted To $40, Coz Tho work Of
furnishing continued during September and part Of
October. The last monthly report dated October
1876 The contract for furnishing the court rooms
made Ia Washington by the Supervising Architect
One contract made by Mr.. Mnlctt anu another by
Mr. Potter. Tho latter contract was with Mr. kruttna
the other with POTTER l. StymnS Could tell what
was done with the furniture in the old court rooma
The committee then adjourned until Monday at 10 A. n