Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-12
The Clark Iuv~~stx.t,.r.

TESTIMONY OF Ex-RKPREsENrATIyE NURcH.
In the Investigation OF the charges against
Architect Clark to-day, ex-Representatlve
Thompson h Murch, who is O practical stone
cutter. was called by the prosecution. He said
that in his opinion the material used IN the
terraces was not ut for a public building. In re-
gard 10 the work he said that he had observed
tool marks on the rubbed face az the stone. The
general appearance of the work was pleasing -
the eye, but IL he was "A sworn officer he would
Insist on closer joints. Even In granite work.
which was coarSer, and which he was accns
toned 10. he would not allow such Joiuts. lie
had observed joints a quarter OF an inch wide
before being pointed up. III was not such work
as he would accept.
mad worked chiefly in granite and had not been
familiar with marble buildings. The witness.
speaking of defects I'm the Capitol building
proper,gave as an instance a stone nj the north
east corner OF the basement OF the senate,
about the third course from the bottom. which
ne thought showed evidences ~ disintegration,
ana was not a stone ar the character which
ought to be admitted into "a building
which was 70 last for all time. Inn
buildings that were carefully constructed
He mentioned the New York city post Office
as building. the exterior surface of which
showed no stone, To which the witness would OBJ
gect This was a granite building. lie could
not mention marble building which had this
Characteristic, for, he said, he had inspected
none closely enough TO give decision. Mr..
Murch said he had prejudice against marble
az building material, and the more imperfect
the stone WAS the greater was his prejudice u
IL. He thought there was quite "A perceptlhle
decay I'm the wings OF the Capitol. The surface
ana NOT appear as smooth a. Ii should. Here
ana there were evidences OF diSintegration;
PARTICLES as large as a pin-head had fallen out.
II : crumbling To its fall gentlemen" said
Mr.. Jackson.
Mr.. Hay asked the witness some questions In
regard 10 what he called the "Murch invcstiga
ton OF Mr. Hill." but VIII ich the witness called
the "liill' Investigation.
The witness asked and reiterated n
statement made before the I'm commission
that men were required IL consume lao or I 81
days on stones that could be cut I'm forty DAYS,
In order TO enhance the profits OF contractors
under the percentage system.
Mr.. MCRCH CHARGES Mr.. M'PYSCIIEoN WITH
WINNING.
The witness became somewhat earnest aud
excited in manner. suddenly turning towards
Mr.. McPyncheon. MIR. Clarks clerk, who sat AT
the table beside Mr.. Miller. said:
"lou needn't wink sir. III attend 20 youf
case hereafter"
81 did not wink" said Mr. Mcpyncheon.
YES YOU did, SIR said Mr. Mur,h tsrf Ia
evidently intended 10 di~concert the witness.
but you have not brains enough for that"
MIR. HAY HEARD NO WINK
Mr.. Jackson having objected Ia this alleged
winking MIR. Hay, who sat beside Mr. Mclynch-
con, remarked: THE wink was entirely hc-
tween Mr.. Murch and Mr.. McPyncheon am
sure, because never heard it,
Mr.. Murcb said the reason he had not COM
planned OF the irregularities in contracts at fha
time he working on the stones. WAS because no
did not then know what were the con difions OF
the contract that the company tor which lac
worked had with the government. He did not
see here the robbery was until afterwards.