Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-06
THE CLARK INVESTIGATION
Gen. Mefgs Approves the Work On tn,
Terrace.

In the course of his testimony in the Clark
investigation yesterday Gen. N. G. Neigs spoke
in approval OF the work on the Capitol terraces
The only noteworthy defect he had observed
was crack extending almost across the face
of very conspicuous block. AS the block was
large and costly he presumed the contractors
had allowed it TO pass. He said he had given
the terraces and approaches wider investga-
ton on examination sufficiently close to have
detected anything seriously defective. He pro-
nounced 1t beautiful work, which would greatly
add to the general appearance of the Capitol.
AS to whether the work was perfect or not he
said ne had never seen but one piece of marble
perfectly cut, and that was the Apollo Belvi-
dsre: He did not think the work at the Capitol
would crumble for at least 500 years. On cross
examination Gen: Meigs said as a public officer
he would have objected to the stone he had de
scribed as cracked. But the acceptance or re-
lection OF work was not, in general, within the
power OF the officer In charge. BY the time that
question arises the contractors had generally
received all but small reservation of the con-
tract price, He would also have objected to
were vslned, not perhaps with iron, but some
thing VIII . gave them an unpleasant color,
probably 'sinsass or mica: He thought the
ought to have, with his better-trained mind, a
greater experience than any one of the work.
men and be a better judge of work.
John Lane, one of the contractors and Hugh
Sissin, the president of the Beaverda,n Marble
Co, also gave testimony. The latter said thatit
Woulu tsAhe Illdny years ana H1Ofe money than
the entire Capitol building cost to CONSTRUCT the
terrace H pure white marble.
TESTIMONY TODAY.
to-day in regard to the work on the terrace
which IN his Judgment was good.
Dissatisfied with the Appointment.
NORTHWESTERN DEMOCRATS WHO DO NOT LIKE
BEECHER BEING PHEFERRHD TO KUHN FOR
CoLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS.
The appointment of Capt. II. F. Beecher son
of Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, as collector of
customs for the Puget Sound district is not
pleasing, it appears, to the democrats Of the
northwest. Judge Kuhn, Of Port Townsend,
was endorsed for the appointment by the dem
ocrats generally OF Washington Territory, and
also by many leading party mon of Oregon
Kuhn Is an old-tinne democrat, and has been a
leading spirit in the party of the northwest.
lie IS a member OF the national committee
from Wash nston, and has been an indsfatiaa-
the democrats, and Beecher by the fnugwamps,
Leading democrats Of Washington Territory
have said that the appointment of Beecher
would demoralize the democracy of the north
west: that Beecher was never anything but a
and does not now profess to be q
democrat; that to set aside old party veteran
IKE Kuhn for q man who does not even profess
to belong to the party would disgust the demo
Gratis OF Washington and of Oregon. S1ch rep
resentations by prominent Washington Terri
tory democrats Induced leading memhers-af
Congress OF that party to unite in advising the
appointment OF Kuhn. 1t was charged by the
democrats, and they reterate it now, that
Beecher based his ciaim solely upon the service
his father had rendered Cleveland.