Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-24
THE OFFICER IN CHARGE.

THE OFFICER IN cBARGE-
Mr. Clements-There was no direct or con-
| elusive evidence of fraud or corruption on the
part of any Of those who were in charge of it,
except some Of the subordinates. There is no
doubt that some of the foremen and overseers
there permitted men to be paid under false and
fictitious names, and that men who were en-
ployed by the government were also employed
| by the subcontractors- To say the least il was
case of gross and culpable neglect, whether
corrupt or not.
Mr. Heard-was il not ascertained that there
was such gross and culpable neglect of duty on
| the part OF the army officer in charge, or the
engineer officer in charge, as il makes IL abso-
| lutely q crime?
Nj. Cloments-wsli. there was universal ne
giect Of duty on the part of the inspectors and
those In charge Of ii by which the men who did
/ the work we're permitted to 60 on and make
a mere shell, leaving the outside above the
lining almost empty, and with great holes be-
hind il from one end TO the other making it
entirely worthless, and il a very strong
circumstance pointing toward corrupt neglect
Of duty on the part Of some Of the oiiicers.
Mr.. Heard-Was it not shown that the officer
charged with the duty of inspecting that work
gave no personal attention TO ii, and that if he
had given il any proper degree of attention
this character Of fraud would have been i'm
possible?
Mr.. Clements-Undoubtedly if he had done
his duty 1t would have been impossible.
Mr.. Heard-What was done with the officer
IN the way of punishment?
Mr. Clements-The gentleman knows very
well. lie was tried by court-martial
Mr.. Hesrd-And whitewashed.
MIR. Clements exactly whitewashed, but
the trial did not amount to much.
THE BIOLOGICAL PARK.
Mr.. Clements then held that il was no hard
ship for the District to pay one-half for the
Geological Park. In every other city The ell
tire costs Of such parks we're paid By the local
treasury. Mr.. Heard asked if in any other city
the parks were governed by the national gov
eminent, who appointed such officers and pur-
chased such animals as ii thought best Mr..
Clements said there was not, because this Was
the only capital which the nation possessed. II
was necessary, said Mr.. Clements, that this
District should be governed by Congress. He
held that it was mistake to say the people of
the District had not demanded this park. He
knew OF many demands which had been made.
Mr. Clements then told how generous the gov
eminent was and had been to the District, how
il paid for the Judge Of the District Supreme
Court and for the conviction Of criminals.
ONLY NECESSARY APPROPRIATIONS CONTEMPLATED.
MIR. Heard said: 1T is not my purpose to
take Issue with the gentleman as to the pro-
priety of or necessity for the form of govern
ment which obtains hers. I pass that question
by. My criticism Is that the law being enacted
providing that one-half Of the expenses OF the
government Of the District are to be paid by
the people here and one-half by the United
States, Congress should be just and equitable
in dealing with the people in matters where the
voice Of Congress controls and where the people
of the District have no voice except through
Congress-, and that the spirit of the law making
that division Of expense contemplates only
necessary and proper appropriation"
MIR. Heard attacked the action Of the COM
mittee on appropriations in making points of
order against District bills and referred es-
pecially to the bill for girls reform school.
Mr.. Adams held that the comparison of the
Geological Park here with parks in other cities
did not apply, as the park here more than
pleasure ground, it was 10 be a scientific in
stitutiOn.
MR.. CLEMENTS IDEA OF GENEROSITY.
IT. C,.mo,,. -.so,..I -, ., ar vo.,,
an. .es"'s ,e.en.u "s.'ln 70 ,ne Aooiosi.
car arr anu Ssia' Du' cue THIS 10 sho" that
the District, instead of being stingily treated
and unjustly dealt with. has been gener-
ously and magnanimously treated by the
Congress Of the United States in all rsspects.
And upon this point if there are to be COM
plants year after year. and constant contro-
versy about the present mode of payment one
half by the District and one-half BY the govern
ment Of the United States. it will become neces-
sary that that system be broken up. And the
people are not going back to the local terri
torial legislature or board of council to run the
city of the national capital.
1t will be governed in accordance with the
true intent and meaning of that provision of
the Constitution which provided that the peo-
pie Of the United States through Congress
should govern this reservation, this District,
which is set apart for national purposes. for
the capltal. And there would be no injustice,
s, "u teae SI h.p ernps OF ne.er uhaer
istratio9 of the affa;rs of thi. D;.trc, 10 thars
were another system instead of having board
of Commissioners composed Of one man sup
posed to be a democrat and another supposed
to be republican and a third one from the
army, established az q board each one giving
his separate bond. When they come to vote
upon questions which may involve expenditure
and loss. for which a board under joint bond
might be responsible under this system. that
board of Commissioners cannot be held respon-
sible for any act.
1T is true that each one gives his individual
bond. He then acts q member of the board.
Suppose the army officer who is a member Of
the board votes against the proposition and the
In bad management and Encouragement. for