Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-02-19

30 that when you talk about courts and suits
you talk about an idle thing Your courts
are i'm. Mt before this law of Congress-
he used strong language, because he wanted
no misspprehension on this subject. Yen saw
the contracts were maize at prices far above
what they should be; that thew are excesSive
This was also subject OF inquiry before the
ommittee on investigation, and was clearly
under stood there. (Mr. Evans interruot ed
here 10 assert that material is now 95 ner cent
bwer than at the time the contracts were
IL was something with which the com mis-
sioners have nothing to do. The paymspts
for sewers are made i'm sewer certiicstes Com
gress save these certificates are valid and shall
be audited by the controllera and that thew
seali be paid In 3 IS bonds. This is of itself An
evidence trait Congress recognized the validity
Werks we're agents of the United States and il
makes TO difference whether their acts had
oeen iezsi or otherwise; Congress had recog-
nized their validity and their own reSponsih,i-
lty in the payment OF the sewer certificates nv
bonds which are endorsed by the sovernment
OF the United States The law provides that
the BOARD OF audit shall audit accounts of Ali
oral contracts, and when you co na here ard sav
thar these contracts are Illegal, we ars . ef Won
that Congress has wiped all these objections out
by the act OF Jure 18th. The act provides for
the c. mpletiou of these contra acts and PAYMENTS
OF the sane thus recognizing their validity The
act comprehends every species of contract made
ty Inc Board OF Public Works. excepting ALWAYS
snch a. might prove to be fraudulent. While the
Con sion might concur with the tax PAYERS
mat tnese co tracts are In excess of what
they should be, yet it Is not a subject COM
ing before them in their official capacity.
These remarks are intended to cover all
tue ground, and are nnal so far as
Hnd Congress taken the view that YOU do
namely: that all the contracts are illegal thew
would not have said it was impracticable to
impose taxation to provide for the PAYMENTS
nor have provided for the payment of eight
millions of dollars in of the limitation of
ten millions You seem to ignore entirely the
I'm I'm xrnfa ls,E.
commissioners recognize that thew have the
power to finish up these contracts, and if
necessary to make new ones. they say
that Congress covers all defects, If any. in
the contracts, and provides way to finish
them. The Commissioners have come to
the conclusion that they will prosecute
some of thtm, because they think il for the
common good OF the people. You have referred
To the fact that the contracts involve the Dis
trIct in debt in excess of that limited by law
The act of July 10, 1872, and August 10, pro.
viding for the payment OF the interest and
principal OF the District Indebtedness, was
cited as in force up to the 10Th of June at
which time 1t was virtually repealed by the act
authorizing the Board OF Audit to pass upon
the entire debt, reaching to sOme ST. ,OOO, 600.
Therefore they held that the whole subject
has been considered and acted upon by
congress, and the defects healed by the
last act. The Commissioners felt it their duty
to the people that they should know the feelings
which prompt them in arriving at the decision
which they had made, and while they have no
advice to give, this was the deliberate and
unanimous decision of the government. and il is
irrevocable. few days since the Commission
ers were called upon by Mr.. A. Cluss, whom
they believe was prompted by the very best of
motives, to warn them against a contract on Il
street, now being executed by Mr.. j. d. Evans;
he represented that IL was very much in excess
of the price which Is being paid for similar
work in New York. The engineer had been
directed to examine 1t, and had reported that
the price paid Is 81 cents, and that the parking,
which the contract includes, really brings his
work down to 10 cents per foot for the tagging
Here Mr. Dennison asked the committee if
they had anything to say or any questions to
put.
mr. Wilson replied that they had nothing
they simply wished to get information, in order
that the people could understand the matter
The committee would have preferred an answer
in writing. There bad been much nisunder.
standing about the case.
Mr.. Dennison stated that they would accom-
mOdate them If possible.
General Birney will make full report of the
decision.