Daily globe., 1883-08-03

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.-When the COM
mission assembled Coleman announced
that he would withdraw his offer in regard
to the Turing and lathing work on the pub
lie buildings.
Jacobs was then recalled by Coleman
and examined in relation to the report of
the supervising architect for the year 1882.
he showed that the report did not give the
details of the work done by the Office, and
not contracted for. The expenditures on
each building were given in the report in
bulk.
Coleman read extracts from the report,
and offered it in evidence. Coleman asked
for ruling on his inquiry if the commit
tee proposed to admit further testimony
in regard to the heating apparatus in the
Chicago building, and also for a ruling on
his proposition to present further evidence
in regard to the granite contracts.
= Chairman New, then, on behalf of the
committee, made the following announce
ment: "This committee was appointed by
the secretary of the treasury to investigate
the charges filed by Hon. S. 81. Murch, by
letter of the secretary, dated April 10,
1883, since which time it has allowed the
prosecution the widest latitude and patti
emily listened to the introduction of testi-
mony relative to almost everything that
enters into the construction of a building
from the basement stone to the attic, tank
and slate roof. Of what value in its opln-
ion all this testimony is the committee will
state in its report to the secretary of the
treasury, and that it may prepare this re-
port 1t proposes disseminating this investi-
cation at this point and at this time, except
in the matter of the heating apparatus
constructed for the Chicago custom house
and postoffice building and the cross
examination of a single witness by the
prosecution. When the committee has
made a report to the secretary, if the pros
ecution represented by Coleman is of the
opinion that other account should be exam
ined, or those already investigated should be
inquired into still further, he or any other
citizen has the right to file new charges
and specifications with the secretary, who
can receive them and do with them what
ever he deems proper.
Upon the matter of the heating appa-
ratus of the Chicago building the com.
mlttee desire additional light, which they
will endeavor to get and advise the coun-
sci at the proper time as to what course
they will take to get it.
Mr.. Coleman thereupon said: 81 protest
against closing the testimony, as ordered
by the committee. Notwithstanding the
embarrassn ents and annoyances which
have been constantly thrown in our way in
this department to prevent full investi-
CATION of the matters charged against the
supervising architect; Notwithstanding the
secretary has assumed to decide upon all
important questions submitted to the
committee, and thus to prevent inquiry
into many of the most important
frauds charged, and Notwithstanding
we have been bound by the strict
est rules of evidence, the rigid
enforcement of which by the committee
has made this proceeding to prevent,
rather than aid in finding out the truth of
the matters charged; Notwithstanding the
secretary of the treasury, when he set on
foot this investigation, did so with dis
tiuct understanding that this committee
should go into the vioinage of the witness
to take their testimony, and that he has,
whenever such testimony would result in
proof of fraud and corruption, reversed
such order and prevented the committee
from taking such testimony, and notwith-
standing he has refused to suspend the
incumbent Of the Office pending the in
vestigation, but left him in charge of all
the books, papers and records on which it
was necessary to relysto sustain many of
the charges made against him,
not withstanding these facts,..I am ready
and willing to continue the Introduction of
testimony showing further frauds in the
supervising architects Office, and protest,
as I said, against the order just entered.
Chairman New said, as the committee did
not desire oral arguments on the case, he
would like to have the counsel put in writ
ten arguments as soon as possible. These
arguments would accompany the report
of the committee.
Coleman asked to be allowed to make an
oral argument, but was informed that the
committee would only receive a written
argument. Coleman then asked to be fur
nished with fuli copy of the proceedings
of the committee. He desired to cross-ex-
anime Thompson, of the architects Office
The committee adjourned till tomorrow,
when Thompson will be cross examined.