National Republican., 1883-07-25
The HILL ENTERTAINMENT.
1t Was More Than Usually Lively and Inter-
eSting Yesterday.
The Lawyers Opened Proceedings with
the Usual Spirited Wrangle,
Then st. Louis Lawyer Took The Stand and Refused
to Testify to Anything
The Secretary Sat Down on the Chicago
TrIp-A Witness Called n Llar.

met yesterday morning the chairman asked
If Mr.. Coleman wished to see Mr. Bliss If
so, he would send for the gentleman, who
was in the secretary's Office. Mr. Coleman
answered in the affirmative, but MIR. Bliss
had gone and Il messenger was sent in search
of him. Meanwhile Mr. Totten discussed
with Mr.. Coleman the contents of the paper
filed Monday relating to the nature of the
evidence to be taken in Chicago In answer
to an inquiry from Mr.. Tottcn Mr.. Coleman
said that the witness, King would testify
that he had been discharged because he
would not do what Newton did
Mr.. Hill said he did not believe that Mr..
King had been employed upon the heating
apparatus.
Mr.. Alexander said that he had conferred
with the secretary the day before in regard to
the proposition to adjourn to Chicago, and the
secretary, after expressing bis belief that the
witnesses in that city could he induced to
come here, had telegraphcd request TO that
effect.
Mr.. Coleman remarked that he had not
named all of the witnesses whose attendance
was desired, but presumed that they could be
brought here.
Mr.. Totten said that he was tired Of the
frequent delays. Ten weeks was long enough
for man to be searched and roasted on
because nothing had been shown to the com
mittoe--not even carelCssness-to warrant the
trip. They had been in session for ten weeks
and nothing had been done Now the prose-
cution wanted to investigate the whole city
OF Chicago in their endcayOr to blackguard
Mr. Hill. 1t was not fair. If any wrong had
been done, it had been done here, and if wit
nesses were necessary they could be brought
here. He should continue every day TO pro-
test against this eternal dilly-dallying. There
was way to stop it, and he trusted that the
committees sense of fair dealing would impel
them to do il.
Mr.. Coleman replied that he had heard
enough of this honest official wanting to be
investigated. Every morning Mr.. Totten had
said that he wanted the investigation stopped.
ii he thought the investigation was proving
nothing why was he here. The committee
did not request him to attend, and if Mr..
Hills acts were all honest he could not be
hurt and there was no reason for his attend
ance. The investigation had run on for sew
eral weeks, but il was an investigation of
seven years corruption, and it had developed
facts that would be good ground for crimi-
nal prosecution if they were not barred by
the statute of limitations. The counsel did
not want to go to Chicago, although he knew
the testimony there to be taken would show
that the government had been dcfrauded.
MIR. Totten reioined that the gentleman had
spoken some truths There was II conspiracy,
1t it was entitled to belief, it showed that he
entered into conspiracy with seventy men
10 deiiaud the government.
He did not want to stop this investigation
he wanted it go OH, and did object to the
frequent stoppagcs.
Mir. Bliss appeared at this stage, and retired
with Mr.. Coleman FOR consultation. They re-
turned in u few minutes, and Mr.. Coleman
asked that Mr.. Bliss be examined by the COM
mittcc.
Mr.. Bliss was accordingly sworn. He said
that he was United States district attorney
Tor the eastern district of Missouri. He had
read the interview published in the st. Louis
lost ItiSpGtch on June 23
Mr.. Coleman asked if he knew of any wit
ness who would appear before the committee
either in st. Louis or Washington in connec-
tion with the facts mentioned i'll his inter
view.
Mr.. Bliss shall decline to answer and would
Iundorsand that this committee is investgat-
ing specific chulges of which | know nothing
whatever, and il connection with which can
give no competent or relevant testimony.
The chairman. To be sure the committee is In
yostighting certain charges, but II you know OF
any wrong action on tue part of Mr.. Hill, the
committee will hear it,
Mr.. gli,s presume that the committee is act.
ing according To the rules OF evidence.
The chairman. The committee Will hear any
thing you may know Of concerning misconduct
by Mr.. Hill.
MIR Bliss ! know of nothing. ! will answer
any question touching facts OF my knowl-
edge but don't propose 10 give incompetent testi-
III uy,
Mr. Coleman asked if Mr.. Bliss was cor
rectly reported in the interview published in
the Post DiSpdtch.
The witness declined to answer. He did
not conCcde the right of the counsel or the
committee to inquire about what passed in Il
newspaper interview.
Question. Are the facts herein set out true, ac-
cording TO your knowledge?
An,wer decline to answer. because If true,
they are not relevant TO the pending Issues.
Mr. Coleman made some inquiries touching
the charges made in the interview, but the
witness steadily declined to answer for the
reasons above mentioned.
Mr. Totten then asked if the indictments
obtained in St. Louis some years ago We're
not predicatcd upon facts occurring before
MIR. Hill assumed Office, but the witness an
swored that he could not tell without consult
ing the record
Mr. Alexander, referring to the newspaper
ar;iclC. inquired If IL wus true that Mr.. lsaacs
"a former superintendent Of the 81. Louis
bulding) had asked if he would make him
sol party to the fraud, if there was one, If
he gave his approval 10 the vouchers for stone
work.
The witness answered in the affirmative.
Mr.. TOtten obi eCted because the matter re-
fcrred to had nothing to do with the case, and
GndCavored to have the question and answer
BtrIChcn out. llt Sulu tnul MI mn WIS Will
ing to have anything investigated, but OBJ
jected to this hearsuy business.
Mr.. Coleman asked why the committee was
horc, and the counsel INDUCED in lively
Colloquy,
Tho committee declined To strike ont the
question, because II did not purport to be the
substance OF what lsaacs would swear to. The
committee would inquire into the matter,
aud if necessary, would cause lsaacs to at.
tend
Turning 10 Mr.. Bliss, the chairman said
that the committee would BE- pleased TO have
any information hc might possess that would
aid the committee in its Inquiry.
Mr. Bliss made brief explanation of his
reasons for attending tho session Of the com
mittec, disclaming any desire " avoid an
appearance
Assistant Secretary French then took the
stand, and testified that the committee lo
which he was u member appointed by Socrc
tary sherman 10 consider the proposition q
modify the ~ per cent. stone contracts had
reported IN favor Of Transforming those con
tracts. Thay thought thaI such modification
would be for the interest of the government
and that it could best bc effected through an
arrangement with the contractors. The
opinion of the attorney general TO the con-
tmry Notwithstanding, the committee be.
ll'vcd that the government could bo held
to the terms Of the original contracts
and il was thought best TO make
au nmicablo arrangement with the contractors