Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-23
Wall Street To-day.
DECLINE FOLLOWED BY REACTION.
The Bailey-Gas Company Investlga.
ton.

ton.
THE PROCEEDINGS TO-DAY.
The special committee OF the House to inquire
as to the relation OF Mr.. John Bailey, chief clerk
OF the House OF Representatives, with the WASH
Ing Gas Light Co., held an adjourned meeting to-
day.
NJ. c. B. Bailey, the secretary of the company,
appeared with Mr.. John Selden as counsel. He
had been served With subpoena duces tecum to
present certain fSd papers but had not done 50
any paper sought for would be produced
MI. c: B. Bailey was then sworn as witness
he testified that Mr.. John Bailey was a STOCK
holder In the Washington company, and was also
a member of the committee on accounts The
books OF the company showed that he had never
received any money from the gas company except
the dividends to which he was entitled as stock
noiaer ana the allowance to which he was emitted
was nominal So each meeting.
mr.. EDWARD Mcpherson, the clerk OF the House,
SAID when he became the clerk OF the House orr
glnally, in the Thirty-eighth Congress- Mr.. John
Bailey was one of the officers OF the House. He
! retained him as discussing clerk because he was
ne man HIS retention was also personally
McPherson's) election as clerk of this Congress
Mr. John Bailey was the disbursing clerk. He re-
knew the value OF his services. He promoted MIN
10 me Chief clerkship because Mr.. Bailey had
fns years Of and he desired to
Ihis he did in the interests OF the public service.
He was never urged by any officer or stakeholder
his knowledge he did not have any acquaintance
with any stakeholder.
Mr.: John Hammond, OF Detroit. Mich, testified
president OF the Washington GaslRht Company.
to defeat bills Tor the Incorporation of new gas
companies in this District, three OF which were
fh sg'Ol ne0o to s. con5 S,s Touching
the house Of Mr. john Bailey Alter dsensso an
1t was decided that only one of the bills was
witness to see the parties In this company and get
tneir proposition as to what they would take for
their patent. At the conference Mr.. John Bailey
was present and offered some modest suggestions.
AFTER some time Mr.. John Bailey drove the wit
ness 10 the Ebbitt house. Here witness saw the
parties Mr.. BartOl directed him to see. He got
tnelr proposition and returned to Mr.. Bartol's or
or MI. Ba1leyS house and advised him OF it. Mr..
Bailey was also present The proposition, how
ever, was rejected.
By Mr. Coelnan.-"What fee did you receve?n
The Witness.-"I don't know that should an
Swer that"
Mr. Coleman.-"I will net press It,"
The Witness.-"I don't know that it would"
Mr. Cr0Wley.-"I submit that it Is proper Ques-
ton to answer: Mr.. Hammond may have been a
cheap man."
TheWitness.-'sI received 5000"
Q:-"Did you divide it with any boiy?"
The Witness.-"I did not"
bill and it was defeated. He frequently met MIR.
Bailey In casual way in the halls OF the Capitol,
OUT ne dld not oner any suggestions.
Mr.. Ferris Finch. the file clerk OF the House OF
representatives, was then called, and submitted q
list OF old bills for the Incorporation OF new gas
companies, which had been offered In either
branch of Congress since 1860 All told there were
some thirty or more, all OF which failed to pass
MI Bailey Was asked what the gross stock OF the
washington Gas Light Com pany was. He said he
could not Tell, but the paid up stock was nearly
The committee then adjourned until ten O'Clock
tomorrow morning.