New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-27
THE HILL INVESTIGATION.
TIE SECRETARY or THE TREASURY TEsTiFiES-THf
WILBUR CAsE-stR. HILLS DENIALs.

WILBUR CAsE-MR. HILLS DENIALs.
WASHINGTON, June 26.-BefOre the Hill IN
vestigating committee yesterday X. T. MANY prear
dent OF the Manly Cooper Company OF Phladeipnis'
testified 20 the offer o. bribery alleged 10 haTe peen
made nv George L. Damon OF the United states Fire
proof shutter Company OF Boston. Mr. Manly SAID MS
reply to the offer that hs company might 'uoet the
contract, but that would not withdraw the bid It had
made Mr. Manly was corroDorated by member OF the
Phlsdelph la bar.
Mr. H.i was recalled lie stated that he had no busl
nes, rrlntions whatever with Mr. Damon. Mr.. Hlu adj
iniod that he did not himself look nj the Donu' nsd III
his Office but trusted TO one OF his clerks.
Thi, morning Mr. Hin said that he did not know that
the United states Company is myth he knew Just the
contrary-that II is incorporated company ana mas
been doing business for years He admitted whe quea
toned that did know the name OF the hrm over
the door where the shutters furnished by the company
are made and that he had never seen the articles OF III
corporation.
The Secretary OF the Treasury then sworn and
questioned He said that Mr ill did not show to MIN
a paper in which the Manly Cooper Company aIIesed
that they had been approached by George H. Damon
with an offer OF $4,000 to Withdraw their bid HI ssld
TO witness that the Manly Cooper Company mad toid
him that some higher bidder had approached them
witness understood that II proposition from one
OF the bidders for the Manly Cooper Company 10 VIM
draw their bid; did not know OF any stated amount
being offered Hill did not mention the name OF the
Ipa.much az the lowest bidder had at that time been
awarded the bid no injury had been done tho Govern
ment and We did not deem It necessary TO inquire
whether an infamous proposition had been made Ihl'
wa. previous the test and as IL was reasonaoo 10
suppose no lowest bidder would have tue contract no
Investigation OF the alleged bribery was ordered.
There was at that tlme question OF rejecting the BID
certainly understood that II the shutters OF the Manly
Cooner Compauy stood the test they 20 have the
| hid knew before the contract was finally awarded
that their shutters did meet the requirements OF the
specifications In thickness. Mr.. Hin made no written
bcp s" thew pedgei themselves TO furnish shutters as
required Within wontyfOur hours, and that II shOuu
remember that he told that the shutters OF tue next
lowest bidder aso thicker than called Tor py INC
| specifications"
| THE WILBUR CHARGES.
ou,ss, than road "A gpccrcatons under tho general
charge OF fraud and corruption, that Mr. Ill., as super
yisinR Architect of the Treasury In March, 1871 PROM
ised and agreed with James b. Wilbur, then having
claim against he Government to the amount OF $4,000
for Furnishing illuminated iling for the New-Vork Post
Onice to pass said claim II Wilbur would allow him 10
per cent Of said claim; urther that llr I'M, showing
l. L. Cannon to be associated as copaitner "a Tue urn
OF smons johnson Co.. In the TRANSACTION Vi business
relating To traffic in building materials IcIused 10
dismiss Cannon from his position In tne ATGn ron
Once, but permitted him 10 remain anu u use H "iu
euce In securing contracts for DIS nTnl.
| "In Is73-4-5 j. l. b. Whour was subcontraotor
under Bartlett Robbins Co. iSr H furnishing p III,
| mated thing. In 1870 OF q W nun 80
claim for sItr materials furnished, amounting TO be-
tween $4,000 ana $4,000 Mr. llill said This is an
old claim and we ought TO have something Tor getting "
through' Mr. Hill then called IN Mr. cannon, ana
Cannon said 10 per cent ought TO DC PAID =, ny
Wilbur for getting II through, ana that
il could be gotten through II that amount
yer- paid Mr. Wilbur said nothing but related the cir
cuU ~ nncrs 10 his counsel Afteruard learning That
Cannon was u member Of firm who were denllns IN
building materials in this city and holding contracts
| undcr ire Government, Mr. Wilbur went To ME- III,
and protesting aganstit, asked for GannOns removal
Fpay when the matter brought To the attention OF
the Secretary the Treasury, Cannon was relnOFeu
and from that Mr. Hill has pursued MI wilbur ana
has ued every effort 10 defeat honest claim as any
| man eyer held against the Government" . - -, ,
MIR Thomas put In the answer OF bartlett, RoODlhs "
Co aud that OF Mr. Hill to the charges preferred IN mat
case Mr. Hill states that each aud every charge ana
speci1cton against him OF fraud in connection Win
Bartlett Robbins CO.'S contract TOT Work uone on Tue
New-York Post ONCE building Is false ana MALICIOUS
lie then give. in detail the history OF the contracts
The answer OF Bartlett Robbins Co. corre@pOhns WIN
that OF Mr. Hill regard to the dates ana clrCuhstan-
| ces under which the contract under discussion was
awarded TO Them and ts execution, the personnel OF
the Supervising Architects ONCE, etc., ana MAKES TUG
| aame denial OF sinister act or purpose