Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-06-16
DE COL YER GARFIELD.
THE SHARE HE HAD IN A NO.
TORIOUS CORRUPTION
FUND.
now THE MAN "wHo HELD THE PURSE
STRINGS OF THE TREASURY" WAS
sEDUCED INTO THE SERVICE OF
AN INFAMOUS RING.

Board Of Public works, of Washington
city, inaugurated the city improvents
in 1872, they advertised for bids Of all
kinds Of patent pavements, and when
the bids were received they referred
the various plans proposed to a com.
petent advisory Board Of Engineers,
consisting Of General NJ. c. Meigs, A.
A. Uumyhreys, J. X. Barnes, o. Il.
Babcock and Fred. Law Armstrong,
who, after a careful analysis, reported
unanimously against the De Golyer
wood pavement, and in favor Of the
Seeley process, whereupon De Golyer
e Co, furnished 800, 600, sending the
notorious George r. Chlttonden with
the same to influence the Board.
Chittenden upon his arrival, at once
procured the cooperation Of the late
Mr.. W. J. Huntington, cashier Of the
banking house of j. Cook & Co, to OPP
crate upon the Board individually and
collectively in favor OF the rejected
pavement of De Golyer & Co., the
Board refusing TO consider further
their proposition.
Chittenden at once sought General
Garfield, then Chairman of the Com.
mittee on Appropriations Of the House
Of Representatives, through whom all
appropriations iUr the District had to
be made, to carry out the ther pro-
ieoted city improvements, and with
the said Chairman Garfield, made q
special contract, his portion being con.
tingent upon the amount of pavement
obtained at the stipulated price of
$3.50 per square yard of De Golyer
pavement No. 2.
Charles Il. jenkins, one of the firm
of DeGolyer, McLelland & Co, testified
that it was the official influence Of
Garfield as Chairman of the Commit.
tee on Appropriations that was sought.
He also exhibited many letters to the
Glover Committee, investigating the
fraud, from the agent Chittenden to
their firm in Chicago, while the nego-
tiations were pending, showing the
imperative necessity of securing Chair
man Garfield at whatever cost within
the 100000 furnished by the firm.
From among these letters the fol-
lowing extracts will be found sufli-
ciently significant to explain the pur.
pose in view:
First, in letter iron Chittenden to
Dc Golyer and McLelland, dated Feb
ruary 26, 1872, this language is used 4;
"The first act was to capture Hunting
ton and tho Governor; next, to par.
alize the paving companies. This has
been done efectually; alliance for the
future is entirely complete"
Here is an extract from note OF
George Il. Chittenden, dated May so,
1872, at the Arlington, Washington
city:
"ruesday afternoon, Parsons arrlv-
cd, We shall get 100, and how much
more is problematical, The influence
of General Garfield has been secured By
yesterdays, last nights and toddy's Ia.
bors. He holds The purse strings Of the
United States, is Chairman Of The Com
mittee on Appropriations, and the strong.
est man in Congress and Dah our
friends, my demand is today not less
than 100000 yards more, 5000, 900 in
all. The connection is complete. lean
hardly realize zoe haze General Garfield
Dih as, 10 is rare success and Uery
gratifying, as all the appropriations for
the District must come through him"
Again, G. r.. Chittendcn, writing to
Robert McLelland, one of the partners
Of the paving company, from .ho Ar
lington, Washington March 30, 1872
says: "IIad long talk with the Gov.
ernor this morning. Ho will see that
we are protected. By Saturday OF
Monday can tell.
The following kilograms speak for
themselves:
From Chittonden TO McLelland-
"1f absolutely necessary, ] have agreed
to pay $4,000 in cash, we TO have
entire contract; 25O,OOO yards at s3,5C
per yard"
Telegram from Chittenden to Nc
LELAND, dated June 2s, 1872:
"rhirty thousand cash paid fivC
already; three thousand at fifteen days
five at one month, five at two months
twenty at four, twenty at FIVE, twenty
at nine months, with interest at siS
per cent VIII take contract HON,
with mo to night for 100000 yards
plenty to fellow. We must act prompt
ly. Answer quickly"
Telegram from Chittendcn to Nc
LELAND, dated April s, 1872:
"The Dents in that crowd do moi
amount to the first thing. Governor
Shepherd is my right bower now IL
place OF Huntington. Don't whisper
a word but one soul knows IT,"
Col. B. r. Nickerson, owner OF the
ironizing process, upon which the ID,
Golyor patent pavement is based, ties
tilted before the real estate pool com
mitteo that he knew all parties con
nected with the Dc Golyer and Nc
LELAND contract; was upon intimat,
terms with all the partners; knew
persons were employed by their agents
whose names were purposely kept SC
cret, ostensibly to influence the Boar,
of Public Works to give large pavinl
contract TO the firm.
The testimony before the Commtte
was conclusive that General Garfield
as Chairman Of the Committee upol
Appropriations, had received n portiol
of the 100000 corruption fund fur