Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-20


wnereupon he made the explanation that
had been published.
NEVER SPOKE TO GooDE.
The witness had never opened his mouth
TO Mr. Goode about 1t because Solicitor
Goode, under the statute, was perfectly
lree ana independent. He had never to
TINS day spoken TO Mr.. Goode about the
nrst suit or the one alleged to be pending.
Mr.. Goode had spoken something about
tne counsel and practice of the gov
ernment in dealing with cOuu-
sci. de did not know what was
lp the bill. He had never seen
Une papers on which the suit was pre-
dlcated, and had never talked with Secre-
tary Lamar or the gentlemen who bad sat
WIN him. He had even declined to talk
with the President about the suit. One
ol the gentlemen in Secretary Lamar's
department, Zach Montgomery, an old
college friend, and appointed at his solicit
tatlon, had declined to sit in the case be-
cause of his friendship and old acquaint.
ance with the witness.
NOT GIVEN ANY STOCK.
He had seen some notice now and then
about Attorney General Garland being
the recipient OF block of stock as a gift.
or course there had been no gift about it.
As to the question OF prOpriety, there was
Nv IAOAC III ~ Opi lGLl III MS pDolbiuu LudH
in the case Of a gentleman holding rail
road stock sitting in Congress, or a Con-
gresham going over to the Supreme
Court TO practice for money. 1t was a
legitimate business and tine witness had
never dreamed of legislation being asked.
His only regret was that it ''had not
panned out better" If any question had
come up in Congress connected with the
company he should not have voted on it.
He had recommended the Rogers to
Messrs. Cox and Hewitt because he re-
garded them as very competent in their
line.
THE CLARKE CONVERSATIONS.
The witness had talked with Architect
Clarke about Mr.. Harris, DIR. Rogers
application for appointment as House
Electrician, and about putting in the
Rogers telephone, but after consultation
with Mr.. Edmunds, Mr.. Clarke had re-
fused TO make the application. The
Chairman inquired if the witness re-
garded the stock as gift. He replied in
the negative. Five or six persons organ
lied a company and made assessments,
the first move being to give notice for
$1,000, which was followed by assessments
of $50 or 500 each. He did not regard the
inventions as having any marketable
value. The company was to establish
their utility and put them on the market.
Chairman BOyle-Did you contemplate
using your official position for the adVant-
age of the enterprise?
The Witness-NOt at all. If had been
a private citizen | could have done much
better than when in office.
NEVER HAD SUCH AN IDEA.
He added that he had no more idea OF
using his official influence than Of jump
ing into the Potomac with mill rock
around his neck. They had never tried
to boom the business and scatter stock
upon the country, at least he had never
heard of it.
Mr.. Hall inquired for the witness un-
derstanding Of the reason for referring the
applications to the Interior Department.
He replied that it was simply for infOr-
nation, and such suggestions as they
might see proper TO make in the premises.
1t was advisory, OF course.
In the course Of the crOss-examination
by Mr.. Ranney. Mr.. Ranney asked why,
the witness feeling that the party had a
right to be heard, that they should not be
deprived Of that right and the duty de-
vOlving on the Solicitor General he had
not referred them to the Solicitor General.
DID NOT WANT TO BE IMPLICATED.
The witness answered that he did not
want to be concerned in the matter at ALL
After he examined 1t he concluded that
it would be better for him rot to suggest
where the applicants should go. Ger
talnly the gentleman looked mad when he
did refuse TO touch the matter. COntinu-
ing, he said Mr. Young did not open his
mouth alter introducing the gentleman.
lt was due to all sides that he should
state the fact that after he had declined
to take any action in the matter a number
OF prominent legal gentlemen had written
him insisting that, Notwithstanding his
correction with the Pan Electric Compa-
ny, it was his duty to have brought the
suit.
Mr.. Ranney objected to the statement.
He did not care to go into what people
had written.
The witness remarked that he was sim
ply trying to show his position at the
time.
NOT OVER SENSITIVE.
Mr.. Ranney wished to know If the wit
ness had felt that it would be improper to
tell applicants that he was disabled, and
refer them to the Solicitor General.
alt would not have been improper" re-
spOnded the witness, "but 1t was ques-
tion of delicacy with me-"
Mr.. Ranney-DOn't you think you were
a little over sensitive!
The Witness-No sir, with me it was
case like that OF Lorenzo Downs-yOu
will be damned if you do, and be damned
if you don't. Laughter.
Mr.. Ranney inquired II 1t had occurred
10 the witness as a reason for not telling
Mr.. Goode OF the receipt Of the applica-
tion that if he told him OF his action that
MIR. GoOde might feel bound to reject it,
while if he said nothing Mr.. Goode would
act upon it as an original application and
grant the request.
The witness responded nrmly In the
negative.
Mr.. Oates asked the witness: "Since
you have been Attorney General have
you done any act or thing directly or in
directly TO enhance the interests of the
Pan Electric CompanyW
The Witness-I cannot call TO mind any
thought, action or word OF mine that WAS
calculated to increase the value Of that
stock in any way. | have not attended
meeting and nave had no conference with
the gentlemen with 1t.
sympathy for Ireland.
WASHINGTON. April f9-In the Senate