Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-01

sionaI services as y6u may lind II convenient
TO render. You viii doubtless remember the
cordial INTRODUCTION given TO me ny Gen:
Ionn.ton when | applied for the position of
Electrician Of the House, aud how you were
anxious that 1 shoult obtain from the Arch
itect. The new com aay VIII start under IA
vorable auspices, with splendid instruments,
and the S ock viii appreciate in value as we
bald UP. Requesting "A prompt reply and
your acceptance, have the honor TO he, your
onetIent servant, d. HARRIS ROGERS,
Secretary OF the Board.
MR.. CARLIsLE's REPLY.
10 that letter he had replied:
Before accepting Possession OF the stock 1t
would he necessary for me to be advised on
two points: First, / desire TO see the charter
or prospectus of the cOmpa ~; and, second,
whei her it VIII, under any circumstances, be
dependent upon Congressional acton. so
long as / remain member of Congress VIII
not be interested in any COMPANY or enter
prise, concerning which Congressional action
NAV be asked.
That. said the speaker, was the last he
had ever heard of the matter. His recol-
lection was tuat when Gen. John stOn In
troduced Mr.. Rogers, the witness had
told him that he had nothing to do with
the appointment, but that ne would ap-
prove OF anything the architect did, rs
the responsibility was upon him. That
WAS the statement he invariably made to
anybody who came to him about those
places.
A LITTLE SUSPICIOUS.
While he had no distinct idea that the
letter was written with a view 10 influenc-
ing a public officer, Yet he had httle
shadow of suspicion that something OF
that sort might come before Congress, be-
cause he as aware OF the fact that at
tempts were being made TO get the gov
ernment t. purchase tel phone and tele-
grauh companies, and this seemed to be
a telephone cempany.
Representauve Lewis Beach next took
he stand, and testified that he had received
letter from j. Harris Rogers
containing some poetry anu 100 shares OF
postal telegraph stock. The idea express
sd in tue letter was that the stock was
Intended to pay him for reading the poem.
The witness showed the letter 10 his col
league. Mr.. Spriggs, and together they
enclosed the stock in an envelope and re-
turned it through the mails 10 Mr.. Rog-
ais Toe ceHsgruCtion he cad patsup
jhe CGer was that 1t might be an improper
scheme.
RANDALL FORGETFUI..
Representative Samuel j. Randall testi-
led that be had no distinct recollection Of
laving received either letter or stock
rom Dr. Rogers. 1t as possible that he
Iad received such letter and answered
t, as was his rui lie, with a courteous and
respectful declnation TO embark in such
an enterprise as was proposed.
Mr.. Millard invited the witness to state
his view OF the improperly Ot members
Of Congress receiving gifts Of stock.
He replied that he was not there to give
opin Ons on such subjects.
You would not receive it would yOu?"
queried Mr. Millard.
'Jf you put it that way am quite sure
would not receive it," replied the wit
ness.
MR.. uEwITT's DECLINATION.
Representative Abram 5. Hewitt then
took the stand and said he had dbeen soil
cited TO EN- bark in Pan Electric and had
been offered tenth interest. Gen. At
klns had first spoken TO him about it and
later had come 20 his Office with Senator
Harris and Mr. Rogers to make a formal
proposition The witness had declined
for the reason that MI. Cooper bad Just
died, his own health was bad aud he did not
leel Ike taking part in new enterprise.
Nr Hewitt was questioned at some length
10 elicit his views resrecting the pro-
prefy of congressman engaging in an
enterprise like the Pan Electric, He eX-
pressed himself very freely on the SUB
lect, saying that he would be entirely
controlled by consideration OF the Ques-
non OF whether or not the enterprise was
kelly to affect his official action.
on THE ASSESSMENT PLAN.
Two classes OF business--minin and
patents-were usually organized on tbs
principle Of assessments for development,
and he saw nH-utn wrDp z IN a member OF
congress takine part in such ap enter
prise, aud 70 made no difference whether
was stocked at Sl0.O00,0A0 or Sl0.OO0.
In answer TO Mr.. Ranncy's question Of
SOW possession o. the stock would he apt
10 affect member N the enterprise should
come no for legislation. nc replied thai if
member was a mah of nlEn integrity &
would PROBABLY cause hin 20 lean back
ward or TO run against MS own interest.