Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-30
The District Investigation.
COMMISSIONER DENT AGAIN A WITNESS.

The House committee on the District Of Col
umb1a continued to-day the investigation OF the
charges preferred against the District Commits
soners by Treasurer Gilfllan.
Commissioner Dent was recalled and exam
ined by Mr.. Aldrich. He testified that there
was no record OF the action OF the Board OF Com
mentS on Water street, Georgetown; In many
instances the board keeps no record OF the pro-
ceediDgS; IL keeps record OF all the orders IN
most cases there are no records OF the procee1-
ings OF the BOARD. Witness testified that John
j. Bogue had been in the employo the District,
but was discharged about year ago; have no
recollection that Bogue prior to his discharge
made written statement touching irregulari-
ties which had been practiced; have no rec0llec-
tiOn of giving Bogue hearing at any house In
sioner; Bogue was discharged in connection
with some suspicious transaction touching the
payment Of coupon of 3-65 bond; have no
to Bogues irregular practices; had at one time
an employe named Dent; he was discharged at
request OF witness because of certain suSpi-
ciOuS transactions which had been reported to
witness by one TroXall, now under Indictment
Dent was in the Office when witness Was ap-
pointed Commissioner, and was discharged at
his special request; he was distant relative.
Witness said that he had no knowledge that
the District Commissioners had requested
noUe pros to be entered in the case OF Troxall;
the case was called for trial a day or two ago,
but was postponed.
Witness was next interrOgated touching the
H. D. Cooke and Mayor Emery special assess
mentS; witness thinks drawbacks were issued
and since he became q District Commissioner;
Commissioner Dent then made statement
concerning the action OF the board in annulling
the assessments on Water street, Georgetown.
He said the payers almost unanimously re-
monstrated against any improvement on the
ground that 1t was not a thoroughfare between
High and Lingan streets they were willing to
pay for reasonable improvement In the change
OF grade, &C.; an expensive Belgium pavement
was laid, and the property owners secured an
Injunction against the collection OF the expen-
sive assessments; when witness became men,
Der Of the board he requested the property
owners to unite with him in securing compro-
mise; they were willing to pay for the grading
and the cost of a co6ble stone pavement; the
compromise was submitted to Commissioners
Phelps and Twintng, witness declining to act
Witness read an opinion OF the attorney of the
board recommending compromise-the best
attainable Under that opinion Commissioners
Phelps and Twining accepted the compromise
which the property holders suggested; by the
improvement the property of the Ltnthicum
change OF the grade reversed the flow of the
water and concentrated it upon the Linthicum
property.
SOLOMON ]. FAGUE TESTIFIED
that under the acts OF June, 49, 10 he filed more
or less complaints for property owners against
special assessments. In 1878 witness filed some
complaints about property on Ith street. Judge
Whole Who'll ' Street, witness % replied "Ihave In We no no
authority to do So" Witness said he looked
upon the matter in the light that Mr.. Dent
thought the people were robbed, and he wanted
to be just to the people
Judge Dent said he had no recollection of any
such conversation with Mr.. Fague.
TIE ORIGINAL PROCEEDINGS
OF the commissioners meeting on the 10th OF
october, 1879, were read. This was the day on
which the Water street assessment was reduced.
The minutes showed that Commissioners Dent
Twining and Phelps were present
Judge Dent said that he had no recollection
Of being present, and that he supposed the OBJ
ject Of Mr. Aldrich was to convict him OF false
hood.
Chairman Hunton.-You have no right,
judge to impute any motive to any body.
DR. TINDALL WAS EXAMINED
with reference to the entry OF the boards pro-
ceedingS on october 10th, 1879. He said he al
ways entered as present the names of all the
Commissioners when they were in the room.
Witness was not in the room when the action
Of the board was taken, and does not know If
Judge Dent was present or not.
Major Twining said that in the matter of the
Water street reduction Commissioner Phelps
and himself acted The question came up on
the application of Robert Christy as attorney
ed to act because he was a trustee of property
to be benefited. The matter was then referred
to the Attorney, who said the assessments were
Illegal, and that 1t was a matter which should
be compromised. Acting upon this opinion and
the belief that the contract for the work was IL
legal Commissioner Phelps and himself accept
ed the compromise, ana reduced the assess
ments; by SO doing the District profited by the
amount paid. because, otherwise, there might
have been nothing paid at all.
The committee at IL o'clock adjourned until
10 I'm, tomorrow.