Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-06-28

THE HILL INVESTIGATION.
IIlsmisate4 Tilins for New YORK Post
Office Heard From.

NAsbiNGTOS. June "a
The Hill investigating committee resumed
their session this morning, and J. ~ VIII
bur of New York took the stand- The Wit
ness had an account against the United
States for putting Illuminated thing at the
New York postofice, and presented his ac-
count to Hill in person in March, 1877, and
had . conversation with him in his Office.
Hill looked the account over and said ii was
all right. but added he ought to have some
thing for settling SO old an account. He
would refer the matter to Mr.. Cannon, an
employee in the office. He called Cannon
who took the witness into another rooIi and
told him they ought to have ten per cent. for
settling the claim. The witness neither as
scented or dissented, but said nothing. Some
days after he called again and subsequently
called on the secretary and found that the
claim had been disallowed. The witness
afferw ards called Hills attention to Gannon's
connection with the contracts and afterw ards
called Assistent Secretary McComick's at
tention to Mr.. Gannon's case and Cannon
was removed. Witness believed both Hill
and Cannon made ad, erse reports upon the
same claim.
On cross-examination, Mr.. Thomas asked:
'.IIow have you supported yourself during
the past six years.
An objection to this question led to a pro-
lonReO DISCUSSION rs 10 the aumlsslolilty anu
propriety.
Dues why did you not make a record of
this conversation which you allege to have
had with Hill in which you saw he asked for
10 per cent.
Ans.-Well, l thought it was a rather
strange proceeding on the part of govern
ment official, but was a stranger in Wash
ingtOn at that time and did not know but
that it was the custom with officials here
The witness said fur her that he had made no
secret of the matter, but had told great
many people that MIR. Hill bad asked him for
10 per cent of his claim for passing it.
Ques.-Did Hill ask IL per cent!
Ans.-No, he said he must have something
and introduced me to the governor who indi
Gated that 10 per cent. was the correct figure.
l consider Hill and Cannon one and the same
SO far as that proposition was concerned.
The articles of copartnership between Gan
non, Simmons and johnson were then put in
as evidence by the prosecution. They bore
the date of 1874. and one of their stipulations
was to the effect that IN all contracts which
might be obtained from any Of the depart
ment l.. +. Cannon was to receive ten cents
for every ton of stone or materials hauled by
said firm, which should constitute his full
share of profits from that branch of the bus
ines, but that in all other profits he should
share equally win the other partners.
The opinion of Assistant Secretary French,
favorable to Wilbur's claim, was put in ev-
idence and read as also the opinion of Secre
tary Sherman which referred the matter to
congress for its action.
L E. Cannon then took the stand for the
defense. Witness was an employee of the
architects Office from 1869 to 1877, part of
the time principal clerk. Witness denied
that any such conversation ever occurred as
has been detailed by Wilbur, or that any
proposition had been made by him (witness)
to Wilbur for ten per cent. of his claim for
passing it. Hill referred Wilbur to him
(GannOn) because it was customary IN the
Office to refer the claiment to the clerk hav
ing the matter in charge. That was his ex