The record-union., 1898-03-09
p. II. rIcGrath Denied
Writer'S Statements.
LAWYER Gett Told Witter He Was
IA Liar, Sir!''
Supervisor Jenkins Wanted Wit
nesses to Tell All They
Knew.


ors on Monday, in determining on an
investigation yesterday of the charges
made by w. G. Witter, President of the
Golden Gate Dredger Company, to the
effect that P. H McGrath had told
him that he had bribed certain mem
bers Of the board in order to get the
dredger company's claim allowed fO1
road building on Sutter island, caused
the boardroom to be filled yesterday al
the hour set for the inquiry.
McGrath showed up with flushed
face and a raw spot on his left cheek,
received in a nix-up a few minutes be-
fore. in the Treasurer's office, with NJ.
A Harris, Writer'S partner. 1t seems
that McGrath had just paid Witter and
Harris the balance of $40 which they
claimed he owed them, and in doing so
McGrath had a wordy war with the
dredger men, which finally ended in a
scrap. Others interfered, however. and
nobody was injured beyond the re-
moval of a bit of cuticle from Nc
Grath's cheek
Proceedings were begun by Chairman
Jenkins calling the board to order and
announcing: Gentlemen. this is the
time fixed for investigating the matter
OF alleged boodling in connection with
the Sutter Island road claims. Are you
all ready?'
District Attorney Ryan paved the
way for a clear start by saying that
the Golden Gate Dredger people had
told him that P. H McGrath had no
authority to draw any moneys due
them. They claimed to have contract
between Reclamation District $40 ana
],
as acting fer the Supervisors. The
dredger people say they sent in their
claim for 81, ,440, but one was also fled
by McGrath for the same amount. Mr..
Nitter, president of the dredger COM
pany, had made public statements al
legged to have been made by McGrath
duplicating mmbers of the board and
the latter had decided to investigate
the matter and ascertain what was the
trouble
Mr.. Ryan read the contents of the
contract referred TO, which was signed
by Henry Elliott, President of the SUIT
ter Island Trustees. w c. Witter of the
Golden Gate Dredger Company, and p.
II. NcGrath, the latter on behalf Of the
county. The contract referred TO a res
olution passed by tht Supervisors ap-
work Of cons nstructing the Ievee and
road around Sutter Island
1t would appear by this contract, -
said Mr.. Ryan, that McGrath was by
some authority acting on behalf of the
county"
Chairman Jenkins - We generally
have the District Attorney draw up
contracts for this board.
fe :e g
time 1 ever saw this one.
Mr.. JenlSins-This is the first time il
was ever read in this room. I never
saw it before.
NOT IN THE RECORD.
Deputy Clerk Gallup was asked to
look over the record of the boards pro-
ceedings and see if such a resolution
had been passed. The petition Of Hem
ry Elliott and others was found. asking
for the road, and the report of the
viewers, j. c. Boyd. L. D. Green and
Joseph Houston. The viewers stated
that the landowners offered to expend
$1,000 If the county would do the came.
and that an expert who was land
owner in the district, but not a Trus.
tee, be selected to supervise the pro.
posed work, in order that the county's
Interests might be guarded.
The minutes also showed that W. A
Gett, attorney for the landowners
urged the board to expend the $4,000
asked for. provided the district would
expend a like sum. 1t was further
shown that on motion Of Supervisor
Todd the $1,000 was appropriated for
the purpose asked, and that it was
done by the unanimous vote OF the
board
But there was nowhere in the record
any reference to the resolution naming
McGrath as the superintendent Of the
work. as mentioned in the contract
signed by Elliott, the dredger company
and MCGrath.
MGRATHS STATEMENT.
District Attorney Ryan then asked
that Mr. McGrath be sworn. that he
might be examined as to what he knew
about the circumstances of his appoint
ment
Mr.. Ryan-Mr. McGrath, please state
your connection with the Supervisors
and this work.
Mr.. NcGrath-I saw resolution pur-
porting 20 have been passed by this
board appointing me TO oversee the
work Later on / looked for II. bu-
couldn't find it. Clerk Hamilton told
me It had been passed. but that the
District Attorney ruled that it was nof
legal
ar. Ryan-who showed 1t to you?
Mr.. McGrath-It was Major Gett 1