National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-02-14
DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
Tbs Ball Opensd-The First Witness *
animal.

Saturday morning the investigation in the
affairs of the District was commenced BIZ the
Committee on tbs d strict Of Columbia; ] Idgs
Buckner chairman. The representative of the
Press and one or two Of the leading memoris'tsts
were admitted, but it is the intent of the CON-
mittee to keep out the throng which has so serI-
ously intertered with business on the pev.oas ex-
aminations.
Mr.. Albert Gleason, who has been su nmoned
as q witness, but whose testimony will not be
taken until the written reply of the Commis-
sioners has been sent in, asked to be exc Ised in
order that he might make q contemplated trip to
California for his health.
DR.. Garnet testified as to the condition of his
health, but the committee did not decide whether
Maurice Murphy was sworn, and testified that
he resides in the city, was contractor, and mad
one fer Maryland avenue from First to Sixth
street, including Stanton Place, and the other
had been completed when the government was
changed. At that time he placed his accounts
against the District in the hands of J. Q. Lay
20. for settlement, with full authority to collect
all that was due him. Mr.. Lay collected the
amount due me, amounting to S1.005.17; the mum,
Der of the certificate was No. lO,1ll Lay settled
with me about the last Of October, 1874 trans
ferred my work on Sixth street to another party;
when / was settling up with him found charged
Ing: il was claim Of the Board Of Public works
charged up to my new work. considered that
my certificate for 81 ,Oe5.77 settled up all my
quarter per cubic yard for hauling earth on the
Sixth street work. l mentioned to Lay * Co.
tss tSs mater told I EPps than
claimed IT, but he said the dates cut It out that
after a certain date one-half cent was allowed
last 1 was down on Four;and.a,hsll street
and met Mr.. X. u. Hewitt on the
sidewalk; he approached me and suggested
old clsims-sOme odds and ends. said there
was, as the board owed me for haul. He said to
there Naa her sa hSt1 be vim buv Your Claim
replied it was rather doubtful buy as the board
wouldn't allow it. He suggested TO me that he
him / hadn't time to talk about it then. On the
10Th Of September met Hewitt on Foul: and a.
half street again. He said he would give me
$1,000 in SOS bonds for my claim. Said he, elf
you don't give me q power OF attorney now il
won't be worth anything" adding that he had
to New YORK. and If didn't close the bargain
then It would be worth nothing to him. said,
81 will take ZOO for it." He came TO my house
on the same evening and brought young man
named johnson with him, and gave him apoWer
of attorney, he giving me an order for the bonds
on Mr. DcksGn' and ana got tsas POnGS s6e next
thing that might be due me under the Board of
Public Works. Hewitt received from the board
Of au&tt on his (Wituess) account S., 256.ol.
WITNESS was shown the bill Hewitt put In for
his claim.]
The bill included three fourths of a cent 'haul''
brick he had thished. Witness said: never
gave Hewitt any bill to collect, only power OF
attorney to collect was what due. Hewitt got
the pay my claim, should Judge, about the
LIST Of November or the last week in October
About g month or two afterwards saw Hewitt,
and told him he collected what didn't belong to
him and what didn't intend to sell. WANTED
ny account Strengthened in some shape, and
told Mr.. Appel, q clerk in the board Of audit so.
The District claimed that the 800 charged
against me was allowed in the claim paid Hewitt.
When ! settled for ny new work the District
charged me with the 81, 500. Hewitt's claim for
my work was presented @ the Goth of September.
In q subsequent settlement of an account with tho
board OF audit witness was charged with 1854,
an amount claimed to have besq overpaid In the
bill collected by Hewitt This honey Hewitt has
since refunded to witness.
q. Did you claim any more? A. No, did not,
because did not think any of it was due to me.
The SS63 was for an overallowance made Hewitt
on account of brick pavement. The board of
audit withheld the amount from me, and the only
money got was tho original 81 900 FIRST paid me.
tno,55@p Hewitt first spoke of buying my claim
toiu NJ he board of audit would not allow it
n.'st VIC transaction with Hewitt, Appel told
tL o tn II VS. nvthing due me. never regarded
tIe udim hewitt olOught as valid one. think
the ulHefence between three fourths of cent
and cent and half for the haul was the only
legitimate claim had.
Inc chairman requested the comptroller to send
Mr.: Appel, at the next session of the committee
WIN WIN the Dooks and papers showing the claim Of
Maurice Murphy.
The committee after the testimony closed, held
snort session with closed doors, and agreed to
meet again to continue the Investigation next
wednesday, at 10 q. N.