Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-22

TESTIMONY OF EMPLOYEES AT THE CAPITOL.
When the Clark investigation was resumed
this afternoon Mr.. Albert Ports one of the pain-
tiers at the Capitol, was recalled and testified to
piumbago being used as printing in painting
the dome of the Capitol.
Mr.. Hay objected to the testimony as this
printing had been, he claimed. put on long be-
fore Mr.; Clark was architect of the Capitol.
The chairman, Major Jonas, decided, how.
ever, TO admit the testimony.
Richard ]. Cox, a plasterer employed Mt
the capitol, who was summoned from the
Capitol to appear on saturday but did not APP;
that he was suffering from heart dis
ease and submitted certificate from
to be here Saturday. Mr.. Jackson in examin-
ing the witness brought out the fact that he had
consulted iawyer-Mr. A. b. wiilams-as
well as physician, and been advised not TO
come Saturday as the excitement might be
dangerous: Mr. Jackson wanted TO go further
into the relations OF the witness with Mr.. VIII
llans, but Major Jonas prevented it. The wit
ness said he had not worked on any other
building than the Capitol, and received pay as
an employee of the Capitol. Tie had worked at
gallery and at the new City Hall, but
in each case had received his pay from the
proper persons connected with those institu-
lions.
Mr.. Jackson asked the witness II he had at
any time recently stated i'm conversation what
and whether he had stated that he had books
and papers in his possession which would con-
Wet Mr. Clark.
The witness was not allowed to answer these
Now, will ask you," said Mr.. Jackson,
whether you have any such books or papers in
"No. SIR" said the witness.
DID you ever have any such books or papers
II never had any books sir" said the witness.
"but had certain papers which people told me
could not prove; if were on my oath Icouldnt
"What were the contents of the papers,"
asked Mr.. Jackson.
ut has been SO long ago." said the witness,
"that cannot remember what the contents
were.'
The witness said these papers contained only
heresay testimony; statements that had been
which he had found out were incorrect
some OF these papers he had destroyed two
years ago, and Others recently in only
four or five months ago. He did not re-
member who told him that he could not prove
them. He had never said that MIR Costigini,
work while on the Capitol payroll. He did not
know of any mechanic or others at the Capitol
working on private work while borne on the
Capitol pay-rolls.
Capitol, testified that he had a conversation
with Mr. Cox Saturday.
that he wanted to show that Mr.. Cox had made
divers statements directly contradictory TO
what he had said on the stand. After some dis
cussion Major Jonas said he would rule out the
Mr.. Jackson said If the witness, Mr.. Cox, had
been left alone, he would have testified as he
said he would, or else he had lied to him Mr.
Jacksonl He came here Friday for that pur-
pose.
subsequently the witness, being asked what
was the subject OF Mr. Cox's conversation said
that Cox said ii he could see Mr.. McNickle he
could give him a full statement of his testi-
mony, and ''enough to throw Mr.. Clark and
the whole thieying ring out of the Capitol
Mr.. Miller objected strongly to such testi-
mony going in. as Mr.. Clark was, he thought,
entitled to some consideration.
Major Jonas said he did not think Mr. Cox's
testimony worth anything. The prosecution
offered the testimony of Messrs McNickle and
Mccain as to statements made by Cox, but the
testimony was ruled out.