Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1894-02-24
HE REPUTED THE CHARGE.

Patent Commissioner Seymour De-
ciares That There Was no Irregu.
Iarfty in the Letting OF a Contract
for the Printing OF the Patent once
Gazette.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-The senate COM
mittee on printing, consisting of Senators
German, Ransom and Henderson, to-day
began the investigation of the charges
made In the public press relative +, the
awarding of the contract for the printing
of the Patent Office GaLstts and other mat
tiers. Commissioner Seymour of the
patent Office aud Josiah Quincy were pres
emit. the former having with him Represen.
tative DsForest of Connecticut.
Mr.. Seymour was the frst witness. He
brought with him certified copies of the
records of his Office and correspondence in
been any irregularity In the letting of the
contract. The only companies with which
he communicated in regard to proposals
for the work were, he said, the National
Lithogrsphing company and the Norris
Peters company, both of this city. The
COuIThct WIS Cuuuueu W tucu uccauec lu6
work had to be done in Washington under
the supervision of the department. The
difference in the prices of the two bids
amounted to Sl,705 on the years work.
Between July IL aud July 90, when the
bond was approved, the hthogrsphing
company did the work under a verbal
agreement, although no contract had been
made or bond given.
In the cross-examination Senator Man
derson asked questions by which he sought
to bring out the connection with the whole
subject of Josiah Quincy, ex assistant sec
rotary of state. 1t was shown that Mr..
Quincy had introduced Mr.. Kenney, of the
lirhosraphing company, to Mr.. Seymour,
had intere sted himself In the affair
and had made statement con-
corning the company's responsibility.
Mr.. Seymour was not certain. The
fact WAS elected that the method of pay
ing for printing was changed from month
ly installments to much shorter periods,
and that once, when the firm had some
trouble In getting Its money, Mr.. Quincy
called upon the commissioner In behalf of
the company. Mr.. Quincy was then, Mr..
Seymour thought, still assistant secretary
of state.
Mr.. Henderson asked the commissioner
If he could give any reason for Mr.. Quincy's
activity in this matter.
az do not know of any reason" respond
ed Mr.. Seymour, Except friendship. he
appeared to bs friend of Mr.. Kenney's."
The commissioner ssid he knew nothing
of Mr.. Qaincy's motive.
Mr.. Henderson insisted upon knowing
why Joseph B. Marvin, chief of the
dranghting division, was removed. Mr..
Seymour admitted that as early as in July
or August he told Mr.. Quiucy he intended
to remove Marvin, but did not wish TO
offend Mr.. Ruesell of Massachusetts,
"My object in talking with Mr. Quincy"
said tie commits ,ioner, was to see whether
Mr.. Russell was interested as much in Mr..
Marvin as was represented, for | did not
like to oppose him."
Mr.. Seymour denied that Mr.. Quincy had
any thing to do with the Nstionsl Litho-
graphing company, or with the contract 1t
received.
Mr.. Seymour further said that he d.
rected that some indulgence should be
shown the new company until 1t got Its
work started when just as good work 80
had previously been required, If no. bet
ter, should be insisted upon. Mr.. Sey
nous denied all the newspaper charges in
toto and will at q future nesting pr .sent 3
written statement.