Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, February 7, 1879, Page 9

Iy THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: \JUDGE BLODGET — qestimony Regarding the Three Provisional Assignees. o Frequency of Their Ap- - pointment. Their Emol- uments, Etc. | o Oonro & Harkins Con- o troversy Renewed--- Crane’s Recol- lections. o Charge Concerning the S.ale of Ththe Bigelow Blook-—Mr, Wins- low's Explanation. qho Garden-City Insurance Com- pany the Basis of An- other Charge, The Rush and Pahlman Triale=s The Committee Want to Finish To-Day. THE FIFTH CHARGE, GEORGE W. KEMP, e Blodgett investigntion was resumed yesteriay morning in the ladies’ ordlnary of the Palmer flouse, the audienceat the opentng hour belog much smaller than uaual—possioly for the reason that the Jnvestization into the general sinioistration of the Bankrapt law, which was {be order of the day, coula hardly be sald to promise anything sensational or particnlarly soultirring. There were the ususl 1ate comers and strageiers, bowever, who gradually swelled the sumbers of sttcndants to something ap- proaching the usual size. M, George W, Kemp was the first witness ealled on hehal? of the memorlalists, and ex- smfoed by Col. Cooper. He sald that he was a Deputy Clerk of the United Btates District Court, employed by Mr. Bradley, sioce March 15, 1875, and In charge of bankruptey since July of that year. He kept the docket and minute book and attended to and supervised the whole matter. Al petitions in Lankruptcy that are fled are brought to him, and all orders that come frotn the Judgo come to him. Robert E. Jenkios, Bradiord Hancock, and George W. Camobell bad been Assigneces In bankruptey for thelast five years. That was not their sole businees; Itancock had been Receiver in tho 8ate Courta several times, and did some col- lecting business; Jenkios was a practiclog law- yer, and bad often had cases in bank- ruptey, and might also have cases in the Btute Courta. Witness did not koow the extent of Jenklus! practice, whethier it was comparative- Iy listte or mot. He had his offico in Room 85 Republic Life Bullding, fn the samo office a4 I N, Hibbard, Register In Baokruptey. Campbell aud Huncock had their offices in the same hufiding. From the 1st of January, 1873, up to the 1st day of January, 1870, Mr. Jen- kins bad boen Asslgaes In 527 cases, Mr. Han- cock fu 232 and Mr. Campbell In 862, making an egpregate of 1,121 cascs. Since the onact- ment of thy Hankrupt 1aw, in 1807, there had been 5319 bankruptey cases commonced in the Unlted Stutea District Coure for the North. em District of TIllinois, Jenkius had beon Frovielonal Asalgues {n 140 cases, Hancoek in serenty-uine, il Camplboll $n thiry-three, makiog 201...A. Provislonal Assignee ‘was an officer of the Court; ho might be called a Re- weiter, or any otlicr name; {n Canada they were called od Inturiin Assigmecs. They woere usuali appainted whew creditors came {h and show: that it was proper thint one should be uppointed, orthat there was a stock of goods to bo sold} urat aoy time on the motion of the bunkruopt, when he shawed that thers was s stock of roods that wanted tuking care of. It was sowctimes done Immudiately on the Hilog of creditors' pelltion, when tlicre was a stock of goods; he Xould not ssy it was dono frequentl The Provislonal Assignces, when appoln el, took the custudy of the ‘prope 5 from the Mathial, In {nvoluntary caser, Where ® warrant of selzure was fssucd, it ¥as put it the Landaof the Marshal, who took posseasion, awl thereupou the Provisional ig- e, {f une way nrwlnwd. tovk the noaseasion from the Marshal,” The Provistonnl Assiznce's fecs ran mueh the sanio 08 the Arsiguee’s fros, 1t thev maile a sale ar a collection | ey charged Acomintislon, at the rate of G percent on the finnt §1 23 up to 85,000, und 1 per cent sfier flat, He did not know'of n Provlsional Assienee, wheo clected the Btatutory Asslzuce, charelog u commlision on the vroperty ho tumed over to bluisel! s such Asalgnec, Ho knew of one Asslgneo who did not charirs com- tmistions as Assignes where he bad recelved vlmpmyu Provislonal Assizoee. Prior to tho :xm of ‘the {nvestigation Into the workiug of hlfx Baukrupt law, ast_sunmer, Mr, Hibbard adnot been o the Lablt of sending in o de- tailed statement of is fces to the clerk; lie :«.nu memorandum of the amount of bis fecs th cachi case, showing the total amount of his ,"f,‘,”"""'“ I the case, the amount that he had lm.ifdlrumthe clerk, and the balance due roun the bankrupt to the clerk, but he did not md In an Hemized statement. He bag boen 4 n‘uo lately, Tho otber Kegisters In this hijr)c“"d been (n the babit of doing it. o heard Mtoueys grumble sbout the fees of okister Craln, Mr. Hibbard's average fecs If‘:c #5250 in case of uoasscts, nuld in_ cascs H To iere were asscts unywhere from $75 to ol 1His fecs were about the same as Register o A“l ‘& 'Ihicy were higher than Coon' (iraut's, i oran,s by about #6 or $7 in each case, “flunea»ul«l uot ssy that he kuew of auy applica- el ¥ 8 creditor to require Jenkine, Campbeil, m,ncock, OF any oliiey Assizuce, to give a ‘: i be knew of cuses whero they bad given ForR That %ue done In the Rezister's oflice, M‘_vwm only appest (o the (nside of the pa- i ke only kuew the papers flled in the mm-omuc. e never beard of & case whero o mlun bad mude application (or the Assizuce 1o e 8 boud, unik the application had’ beon re- o =.~l by the Judge of the District Court; nor e L:ue Where tho election of an Assigues by i e had been set aside by the Judge, ex- r. dur Gatse. Ho dil know s case whers It ke e fOF cause,~in the cass of a glove- .nl x;lr.—\dm-«: the glection was set sside wnd “:“ Cr wppointment wade on the howing of “u»n. ¢ heurd, during the time of the o dctzaton thia i ‘f’lllizbum ad made L Coober who toli M g - 0 Kocsed 1t was ss-examlustion by Mr. Goudy b M:c Tumors about preluynh were gnlvnv.lfifl wf:gu %0 Mr. Hibbard, He dld not remem- el ='u:nr he neard more than one attorney Ak ol It Ar. Jeoking was Assigues fn tho Gurlgy 32 & Uand case: Cuoper, lsckard & M“”J' Were attorneys for the o.'nluu t, and “L coklua was appointed on their lliA Ll “;"dhl st kuow of Cooper, Puil‘:d o“‘i "w"-t::‘"'fmfifim" e, at’ lesat where i o cyd for th mr‘:& W. Camobell nd Carol a.‘}uf 'fi‘i:"f; en s by Juubu Drumniond a8 Assignees iperis i uies St bad ere ssignees; In cas 1 10 eleet, the Judge ‘exerclsed’ the poer ?q i " but the fostances In whicn the ew, Judge o0 Used by the Judge were ves ¥t mmz& Graut, begides Mr. Hibbara, by ArY the Cook County cases. It was Camptry Wint there was any ‘contest betwesn bag 1;:1‘11 Haveock, or Jeak ns,—each of thens bady elu"fl' who would bave him and no- ero yere ¢ reason for this was that they ity hyu ‘l.:.o'pulu 48 Assignces, thelr business g of L8 UDquestioned, He tad never bty du spolicatjon to Judge Blodgett re- Ry LK elthier of these three Lo g‘f\-a bonds, or ol veePleation 10 bim to retax cost, hers flul‘l Professional ? Assignees 1w the other ffl'k:‘:'lgmufilm:: 'flf 0‘:n.m'. Witness did been culle, izetl's atteution had i‘{,‘ f::{{:ll‘lilsl.a Hibbard's fuilure o return ftem- Smination, witoess ssld the num- e u which ‘Jeukins, Campbell, and ow wilen orioPoioted Asslgoces would lar, Jeuis f thise threo were ¢ [0Sk poDU- v u:lll- Stauding at the head of the flst as i Imdr ‘uscs were concerned, Some I M"l:‘llneclnmj of baukrup} busivess [Prrodes ¥ favarites for Asaigmces, thelr ulined to theas thrce, who' wers y Supposd 19 be on wery Iriendly litncod terms with the Court. Tn fact thero wero very few attorneys In the city who would have nny other Assfgnco than some one of these three, 1la remembered the cnse of A. B. Mecker & (,'o.. in which two Asslznces were appointed— . N. Fay, who understaod the Iron busincss, and Jenkins, who understood the Assignce business,—but he was not In a position to know whother the creditors haa endeavored to have but ono Asslunce, n man who under- stood the fron business, instead of two. He hed heard attornors talk about Iib- bard’s fecs, but they didn’t make any particular tomplaint about them, hecause they had other cases before him, nid thought It waso't worth while to mnake any fuss about it. R. E. JENKINS, R. E, Jenkins was sworn, nnid questioned by Col. Cooner. e was a member of the Bar, but hed been chiefly eneagea, for several years, in scttling catates of bankrupts as Assignec. Iie occioled the samo room us Reglster Hibbard, and accupled the same room when Clark was Reglater. He was appointed when Judge Drummond was Judge of the District Court. Provistonal Assignees were usually appointed carly In the proceedings; somelimen not until Iater. The first stop, whero a warrant of selz- ura was [ssued, was for the Marshal to take pos- sessfon, ‘The Marshal, In Involuntary cases, sur- renders to the Provislonal Asaignee, who holds the property until the creditors bava o mecting nnil'an Assiguce Is duly nppointed. Previous to the tixing of fees by the Supreme Court, the rules belne promulgated about April, 1575, wit- ness thougnt Provisional Assignees were in the habit of charging for their services, The law then sllowed a reasonable compensation in the discretion of the Court, wiierc scrvices were renderad. He didn't think be ever charged a percentage on all moneys collected as Provision- ol Asslgnee. It might have been that fu some vases he fized the compensation in thut way. In the case of C, M. Ayer & Co,, the churue of £208,7 was for expenscs; no part went to the Assignee. il rarcly over, sluce the promulga- tion of the rules of the Bupreme Court, charged anything as Provisional Asslgnee. He dida't know that he bad in any case. Ho had never charged n per centoge as Provistoral Assignee. He did not know that George W, Caumpbell tad done: so, but thought ho had seen such ftems; ho had never examined Campbell's account. e knew Hancock had charced for acrvices, but did not know a3 to a cominission, He could not remember In how many of the b0 cases be hnd given 8 boud as Asskruce; in amte 4 number of the most fmportant cuges, huwever, In the last five years he had not given a bond fu Nty cases, In100 of the 500 cuscs there wero probably no nsscts whatever. In a few moro there were small nasets. Not over twenty or twenty-five were what would ho called impor- 1ant cases,—cases where the assets were $15,000 or $20,000 or upwards, Of the vases examined iy Rose, there wera only three or four of much linportance, the assets fu the majority of them belng swall, und the percentage of ~ exponses was much largor than in Inrger cases. l{c was appuinted Provisional Assiznes of the estute of . B. Mecker at the desire of Ullmau amd Dexter, the attornoys; and, at a meeting of the creditors, Fay and bimeelf were recomtnended for Assignecs. He never had a talk with Judge Blodgett about that, or about his appolntment as Assignes In any case. Mo kuew of nodl- vision of fecs, directly or Indirectly, between Hibbard aud the *atanding Assignees.” [o had heard rumors—had licard Hibbard ssy tiat he understood Col. Cooper thought he (Hib- bard) divided his fees with Judge Blodgett. Hibbard did not give his authority, Ilo 3id not know of Hibbard making Judize Blodgett pres- ents, with the exception of the watch, He had heard of that- before the luvestization began, Judge Blodgett had never applicd to witness aflicially or individually to borrow money. He had never louned mouey us Assignce except in oue case, and thut under the orders of the Court. He loaned 85,000 belonging to the catate of F. 8, Winslow,—balf to James War- rack, the Britlsh Consal, and the other half to A. Gilbert,—on mortgago eccurity at 10 per cent, The estate was In such a condition that 1t could vot be sottled, Iow it canc to War- rack’s knowledge that he thought u portion of the funds (he bad $0,000 or $7,000) ought to be Invested e didu’t know, That was aliowable by law, e had received ntercst on deposits of two other estates under the statute authorlzing it. The mone; in the Mechanics’ Natlong en to the Cashier of the Notfonal Bank of illinofs, after it had been dosignated as the depositury, about Interest, but he sald they wouldn't payit. [egotd r cent from the Mechanles' Bank, n the Beardsloy cstate, which was tied up in litigation, tho fntereat was about $2,000. 0 propused to invest the deposit, and tha,bank sald they would pay interest. Beammon didn't -want to pay, and witness spolied to Judze Blodgett to compel hin to do tt, It was usual for oflicials (County Treasurer, City ctc,) to get intercst ou duposits, Wit at times on deposit $100,000 snd over belonging to bankrupt cstutes, Last sumnuer, when the investivation was going on, be looked and found lio had $60,000, Ho owned 82,500 of the stock of the Natlonal Bank of Illinofs, e did not kuow thnt Judiro Blodizett was conuvcted with it. Hedid not thiuk be threatened to withdraw the funds when told no foterest would be pald. Hu did vot o to other banks, beeause be had no authority to doposit mouey in them, On cross-cxaumivation, witness sald ho had never known of suv division of fees between Niboard wnd Hlodgett, und It wouldn't bo pos- siblo for Judge Blodeett to derlve any benelit out of his (wiitness’) appointment. In reply to Mr. Culberson, Mr. Jenkins ald that he had formerly been a clerk in Reglator Clark's aflice, Mr, Clark was In feeble health and witness ald most of the buslness, becoming acquainted with attorneys and creditors, and, on ceasing to be a elerk, belup frequontly elected Provisional Assignce, und thien gencral, or regu- lar, Assignve. Ho did not think that there was any special influence which ted Judee Blodgett to avpolut him Provisional Assiznes except that be supposcd the foct that the Grand Jury Knew him, und knew that he had never ahused an truat thut the Court had {mposed in him, wouls uaturally lead ilm to prefer appointing witness thau some onc about whot he know notning. To Mr. Kuott, witness repliedd that there hiad been Instances in which he had heen appolnted Provislona) Assignee, und the creditors, at thelr meeting, had subsequently elected soto one elseas regular Assignec. To Cal. Cuurcr. Mr. Jenkins sald that his be- Inie Provislonal Asslnee bronght htin {nto- fro- auent contact with the creditors, aid this, ous- slbly, hod fts Influcneo In some caves 1u bringivg about his election at thelr hands, =) ' GQEORGE W. CAMDPBELL; Mr. Qeorge W, Campbell was theu called and examined by Mr, Cooper. Ha had been pro- fesslonally au Assizuco In Baukruptey since 1609 or 1870, Mo had been appolnted Pro- vistonal Assiguco in some cases, and charged feea us such until the change in the law in 1876, Hehad charged since then for services, but he woticed in his nceounts it was charged as com- tnlsslons, Ills charges depended upon tlie dutles ho porformed; as I'rovisional Assignes he bud often to tnko charguof property, and superintend the salo of it, und fn such cases he charged for his services und expenses. In the case uf Alexander Uellan, i wus custodian of the proporty, and, inatead of charging for serv. feea us P fonal Assignee, he put it fu s commissions. In suswer to the Chairman, he sald he did not estimute the value of his services by the value of the goods, but by per diem, In turther oxamination, he aaid e was at tho bankrupt's storc nearly all the time, umd the aale was conducted under his superintendence, Ho was not positive whether ho bad churged for suryices as Provisional Assigues since 18755 if ho bad dono so, it had been deducted from lus commilssions as Assizuce; he thought it was likely bie had. e nover loaned Judio Blodgets 8 ceat, nor bad the Judge ever applicd to him fora loan. He never heard of anv other As- slzneca lending money to Judge Blodgett. Ou cross-examination, the witness sald he had served us Assigneo under Judze Drumunond a number of thucs, In uoswer to the Charman, he sald his ac. counts as Assiguec were never brought under the notica of Judge Biodzutt. On re-examination by Col. Cmqjor. tated thut he was a brother of Benjsmin H. lesnell, formerly United States Marshal of this district. . witness A. L, ROSE, A. L. Rose, the accountant who examined the books of iibbard's oftice, was called, and testi- fed, In response to Col. Cooper's questious, thut bo had examined the accounts of thuse thrce Assignees,—Hancock, Jenkivs, aud Campbell. In some cases their cliarges 2s Provisional As- siguecs were larger than thelr charges as regu- lar Asslgnees. 'There were charges for commis- atons gud for clerk bire, custodians, ete. Io one case, the estate of Cusn & Tea Broeck, Jeukins wasappolated Provisional AssizneaJuus 22,1574, snd regular Assigueo Oct, 10, 1874, He charged 8300 for his services as Prosislonal Assipoec, Bradford Iancock was sppoluted Provislon Assiguioo (u the estste of Delos 8. Mills March 15, 1876, and was appoluted Assiguee May 20, 1576. fu poe place be charged $48.15 for at- torucy’s fees, and fu suother $145; for reut, $157.80; sporaising stock, $25; clerk kire, $148.53; advertistuy, $50; postaze, $16; serv- ices us Provisional Asglence, $135; servizes us Asalguee, F10.70; Asyiguce noddces and sitends ing meetings, $ §34.75; Asalznet's cotnmisafons, $53. fecs, $15. The total f ns Provisl regular Assignee, were $474; nttorney’s feey, 543,153 rent, clerke, and custodians,” $303.53, exclusive of the smaller items of cxpense, such an postage, printing, ete., ete. The amount in- volved in the estate was 80595, and the total cont of admintstering it wan 10,24 per cent., Col. Cooper asked the witiess to buat up an instance of charges ox the part of Cambbell, the other Profestonal Assfznee, Mr. Knott mald the Committee dldu't quite understaind the object of all this. DI the gentiemen bropose to fhaw that Judge Blodgett's attention was called to any of these alleged overchariges, and that he still allowed the thing to go on. Col, Cooper sald they were Introducing this evidence under the speclfication fn this charze which set forth that thes: estates were unluw. fully turned over to Provisional Assignces, in- stead of hclnfi put umler thee care of the Marzhat until Assiznees were apnointed, The Marshal, us messenger, was not allowed to chargre anything for his services, but only for tlie uceessary disbursements he might tnke, Under this aystem shich had grown un hero without sny color of law, Provisional Asslgnecs tind been appolnted to take the custoly of this property, and had heen allowed to charze sums of monov to bankrupt estates which were un- warranted In daw. In other words, had the property Leen left with the Marsha!, he would not have heen allowed to charge any fecs for servives, but simply for the necessary disbursc- wents involved in taking core of the property, Mr. Goudy sald theanswer admitted all (he facts charued. Col. Couper sald he had not read the answer; fc was fl very long docuiinent,—one of Mr, Campbell's masterpleces. [Laughier.| Mr. Gomdy sald they had sdmitted that Pro- vislonal Asslgnecs had been appointed who had taken charge of estates for the purpose of wind- Ing them up until the regular Assignecs were apnointed. It was a mere question of law ay to whether Judge Blodpett had the right toappolnt these Provisional Assignecs, and he did not sce the necessity of golng Into the question of facts, all of which wers admitted in the unswer. Col. Cooner said that perhiaps it might not be necessary: to go into that matter. Mr, Knott hoped the nvestication would be limited to showing Judge Blodgett's connection, if any, with these alleged itlegal charges, Mr. Culberson sald the Committec did not de- slre to crnnp the investigation, but to keep It relat{ve to the {ssue, Cul. Cooper said neappreciated that, admitted that perhaps he might be subject to some criti- clsm on thut score, und announced that he was through with the witues W. . BRADLEY, Mr, William H, Bradlcy was then recalled by Col, Cooper. e said that from the timu of the fire of 1871 until last summer Mr. Hibbard had not been In the habit of sending in an itemized bill of costs, He called Mr, Hibuard's uttention to it, but never spoke to Judge Blodgett about. it, oceause no complaint had been made. He meutloncd the matter to Judae Blodgett during the time of the Bar Association luvestigation, All the other Registers returned fee-bflls, Mr, Hibbard was the only one who did uot, It was the Clerk’s duty to tax the Reglsters' feo- blila; he had called Mr. Crafn's sttention to svine of bis overcharges, amd in;some cases modificd Craln's fec-bills hlmself. Mr, Hibbard” would send in a stalement of costs and disbursc- ments, but it was not a fee-bill such as fhe jaw called for, Mr. Hibbard told him that lc had cntered his foes on his books, which were open to the fuspection uf all partics, but witness had never gone uto Hibbard’s office and_taxed the fees himself. Ile spoke to Mr. Dibbard as many as three times nbout his not returning fee-bills, becausc he wanted to bind up the fee- bill with the other papers in each case. He was not aware that attorncys had been loath to make complaints about Mr. Hibbard, In answer to the Chnirman, witness sald he spoke to Mr. Hibbard about his fec-bllls three or four years ago, and told bim he ought to Ole them in the Clerk's office, rs all the other Regls- ters did, snd as he used to do before the fire, He did so beeausa be thought the law required every piper to Le kept, not because ft was his duty to tax the costs, “"Did it never oceur to you that you had o dnty‘ ‘wl}mlofln in the matter yourself " “'Well, no.” . It gecurred to you thatyou had that duty to pler(m'.r;x"ln regard to Mr. Crain’s fec-blils, did it nof + My attention was catled by one of my depu- ties to Mr, Crain's fec-bllis, where there wera oneor two ftems that [ thought wers over- charge.” " “ Witness further stated that he spoke to Judge Biodgett abant Mr, Hibhanl's not return- ng Nifs feo-bllls, but he did not think the Judee noticed ft. He did mnot think the Judge knuw auvthivg about it. ~ As there never nud heen any complaint, aud witncss' attention never had been espeelally called to the matter, tio never made any stir ubout it bimself. Col, Cooper—The law requires you Lo tax the fco-bills without any compluint from any cred- {tor, does it not? y ? Mr. Bradley—Yos, sir; but I nover have under- stood thut the law requires mo to make un orig- {ual toxation. “the Chalrmen—What do you mean by an originul taxation? Mr. Bradley—\Why, to make an original taxa- tlon, I sbould hava to go futo his otlice and tnake a fee-blll for him. “1Hd not you understand that by this law, which abolishcs the oflice of Audltor, you were to stund there 88 the ofllcer who waa L0 seo to it that all the 1leeal fees that bad been changed by any of the baukruptey ofleers wers cut dowu, and "tvhll. you weroe to do this of your own mo- tlon “I do not know, T am not sure that L have a clear coneeption that thut wus my duty.' I 1872, swhat was the registry of the United Btates District Court ! Whe Sub-Trewury,! # What clse” “The Mechanics' Natfonal Bank was desig- nated us the bank In which Asslgaces und otlier pariles were to put mvnux in the District Court uu‘der the Bankrupt act, Skt ' Buppuss monvy was pald Into court, did you %nmil‘llll. 'i‘&l%; ,n‘x.nuey In the Mechanies' anl!uul auk fo,] * Yus, sir, in bankruptey.” “Suppuse money was pald into court in chancery?" S That was denosited fu the Bub-Treasury," “Buppose moncy was pald futo court fu ad- miralty cases? 441t was deposited in the Bub-Treasury, \Vitness turther sald that all moneys puld into court ars depusited in the Bub-Tressury, except bankrupt mounsys deposited under the rule of Conrt deslgnating the depository, The National Bank of Iliinois had beco the deposit- ory ol the court since the apring or winter of 1874, Witness had been a Dircctor of it siuce Its orgunlzation, ‘The bank paid no futerest on deposita. Mr, ilibbard was u atockbolder, but Judye Bledgett was in no way connected with the bank, snd pever had been, A muember of his fumily was 8 vory small stockholder. Wit- 1ess was on the Discount Commitieo of the Bossd of Directors, Duriug the !ml tive yeurs {;'"mm"k bad mld‘n'lvm small um-l to Jug-.:u lodgett; two or three yearsugo the Judge borrowed abuut §2,000. J " fu anawer to the Clafrman, witness sald that thess Inass had been io no respect whatever on Bgz dllllcn:ur terms than woney loaued to any- else. Jadzo Dlodrnu asked leave to explalu thut m thespring of 1875 he borrowed $1,500, untl had previously borruwed $2,600. In er to Mr. Goudy, Mr. Beadley said that Judize Blodgett kept his regular account at the bank tn question, Ou cross-examination witness described the ronluon of tha rooms on the court floor of the Republic Life Bullding, those uf the ofticers by inge on one slds of the hall aud the courts on the other. Hehad not exumined Hibbard's fee- books, but had beeu i his oftic new they were there, In the l(ezmrg an unt was kept with the Circuit atud District Court, debit und credit, and balunced overy month, Wit ness always made the dvposits tn the Sub- Treasury. - The funds were drawn out upon the order of either tle District or Circuit Court, the check belng signed by oac of the Judyges and coulitersigned by wituess. Tho order was en- tered of record, ' There had beea from £3.0,000 to $500,000 In the Rfi}'j':"v for the Just four or [t five yeurs. The nCo LOW Was about 2300, Al the funds deposited in court go juto the Registry. ‘The bunkrupt funds did not wo tLrough the court at all Were depoalted by Lhe Assiencer aneh drawth ot by them upon checks countersigned clther by the Register or Judge. Bofarss he kuew the ractice was for Hibbard to countersign them, fluz the Judga could do it uuder the law. He, however, had uever known of au {nstauce. BRADFORD ITANCOCK. Bradlord Haucock was sworn and examined by Col. Cooper. He was ln the “Recelver and Assignee busincss In the Btate and Federal courts.” He kept his account at the Natiunal Baok of Iilinols, sud vlwaye had. 1In cases where be was appointed Provisional Assignea he charged for bis services. 'Tue charge de- pended on the lnvortauce of the estate, time spent, cte. e did not charge & vommission, but put In a specitic sum. He bad unever had sny trouble with the Marsbal about turalug over property; it was alwa) -wumly Lurron- dered. Before witbeas came to Chilcago s lved lu Madison, Wis. Tust wus lo 1oT3 ‘Fhe tret FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 7, ISTY—TWELVE PAGES, kruntey case he hail next at Marsellles. at Belvider 1 I worked into the 11e conldn’y telt how many to bim. ile had no the bLusiness gradually, cases had been referred apectal {nflnences or advantazes over others In getting business thnt he was aware of. He dldn’t know Judge Blodgett before he came here, nud didn't go sround smong creditors to wet them to vote for him, 1le attributed his Aticeess to the manner In which he wound up eatates,—to his merits a8 Asa'gnce. He didn't know the aggregate amount involved in estates he had handiel. He had not 1ooked over Rose's statement, fle couldn’t guess how much his deporits as Assignes reached at ang one time. He distributed * the nasela as soon as he ot them, dnd dldn’t keep 8 large deposit, He hal hald as high as $50,000 at one time, but never ot any interest; had never kept the money i bank lone cuough to he entitled to anv, fle had neverloaned money to anybody, indivldually or as Axsignce, nor bad he used the funds of any estate in his own business. v There was no cross-examination. MINOR WIT 3 E. A. Drunnnond, {he Clerk In Judze Blod. getl's Court, testified that he had never heard anything safd to Jodee Blodgett, or in Wis pres- ence, about 1iibbard’s not making his fee-bills totle Clerk, ° @ ‘There was no cross-cxamination, Mr. Kemp was recalied, and added that, since Mav 1871, llancuck had been Provisional Asalzuce in flity-1wo cuses und Asslgnes in 200, Tiere waa no cross-exatuination, Mr, Cooper sald hic had ‘ouc more witness, who was not present, nml that he desired to put in evidence the record in the estate of Fox & Howsrd, In which case, April 10, 1876, Judge Drummond’ rendered a decislon, the purport of which was that Bradford Hancock, who had bean appoluted Assignee in numerous estates by Judyge Blodgett since that time, had been gulity of practichyr a gross fraud, as Provisional As- signee, upon the Judiro mul upon the partles fne terested In the ljtigation. The Committec then took a recess until half- past 1 o'clock. FURTHER CHARGES. ‘The Committae, however, did not meet until twenty minutes after 2, as they were occupied in looking ovar five charges which had been handed to them by the memorialists. Mr. Knott stated this foct, saying that the Committec bad | reached the conclusion that threo of the charges had beeu substantially gonento, and that the other two had been handed back. Judge Trumbull asked {f there trere any moro charges than the two, Col. Cooper said there wers others, but they ind not been formulated. Mr. Goudv undorstood that the Commitice had requested that all the charges should be presented, Mr, Culberson sald that that svas the request, fnorder that the Committee might disposo of thetr thine s0 as to meet the reauirements of the business. Cal. Cooper remarked that working from 9 n. m. till near midnight was the extent of his pll(ulunl endurance. $ir, Culberson said the Cominfttee would like to sce the charges In an inforinal shape, If they could not be formitiated, Cal. Cooper replied that he would eudeavor to et all the others i arder by this morning. Mr, Goudy stated that, ns to their sidv, thero woull ba no delay as to the two charges; they could he taken u;.n any time. ‘The heariug of Yestimony on the charge under consideration was then resumed. C. 8. CRANE. - Mr. Charles B,'Cranc.wus then called on be- hall of the memorialists, and examined by Col, Cooper. [la sald he had lived {n Chicago near- ly twenty-four years, and was connected with the Craue Brothers’ Manufacturing Compang, In the sprine of 1875, a large amount of dredg- ing property, consisting of steam-redges, pite. drivers, scows, steam-derricks, and tug-boats, belonging - to the estats of Fox & loward, In bankruptey, was advertised for sale by Bradford Hancock, Provisional Assignee, nnd witness di- rected hile man, 'Jefforson Hodeklins, to tuske s bid for it. Hodgkins had churge of wl the dredging machinery that witness had at that time. * He dirceted him to bld on all that prop- erty 40,000, e did- not know hiow Hodgking camie o bld un that property in his own nume {nstean] of witness' name. He only knew by hearsay that Judge Blodgest entered an order contirming the rale” to Hodzkins unless objec- tions were filed by the Oth of July, Ou the Oth of July an_onler . wagentered confirining und consurumating the sale. On the evenlng of Saturday, the 10th of July, between 6 and o'clock, Mr, Ilancock came to witnoss’ oftice, aud told him thut he had been informed that he (Mr. Crain) was the reaponsi. ble pidder in Hodgkine? bid, and asked ff that was the fact, Witness told him that it was. Io said the property was senttered around the river in differens places, and he would ke to have it clused up, Witness told bim he was resdy to close It up wt anv time If ho could dellver it “ Did you tell him who Hodgkins wus 1" “1do not remember (Furh-cll)'. Fiually 1t was arranged that 1 should wo down to his office Monday mornig uml make a deposit on it. asked Bim the amount he wanted, snd he sald lie was ot particular about the mmount; he Knew me by reputationy and ft would be all rigut it there wus something bid on it, und he woulld commence dellveriug,' + DIl you part with him with the understana- fug that you were to make a deposit on sccount of this muney the next Monday morning " “Yes, sir.” 4 And he wns to commence delivering you the property " W Yes, sir.” Had Jou made an arrangement to pay this $10,0001"" * 1 had not provided for all the money."? # Were yuu nble to rny for it at once " » Yeg, sir, on a fow houra’ notiee" * your rosuurces wero large, were they not, finunciatiyi” sauflicient to pay that atount., #Stute vhat took ploce next Monday morn. ing. Did you o uext Monday mornlug and pay for the property, or make a deposit " 1 wasdown'town next morning soon after banking bours, nud drew two checks of 810,000 each, muking $20,000. I went to his oftice, und told him I came to make a deposit on that prop- erty, aml handded hun the two checks. Ho satl 1 was Loo lates he had sold the property to other 1 saiq, *Mr, Hancock, did uot we have ng on Saturday night that 1 was to be he i morninz and mako s deposit on the property ' Husuid, * ‘Ihe morning s slready moue.’ 1 said, ‘Tt Is moruing till noou.! I tovk out my wateh, and 1t was only ten minutes past 11, Mr. Haucock said it wus” too late. ] went fmmedlately to Judge l!ludfi‘ ' ofllco or chamn- bern, nud told him 1 had been wronged by the Asstziee, or words 1o that efTeet, i that | came to him for rebinf. 1 told bim what was iny un - depstanding with My, Hluncuek on Satunday atternoon, und what 1 lad done In the morning, and what Htuueock iad sald tome. - Judie Blod: rett sabd thero bad been too much delay in thiat ter, wid he hud closed the matter up.' Waat delay had there beew ju the mattor " # 1 do not know," “Jiow wus this property sltuated at that thne,—portions of it{" ] do uot know from 1wy own knowledge, 1 was iuformed where part of ft was, Thero was part of it up ou the North Branch, aud some of it was scattered aloni the river, Home of it, 1 was fuformed, was in South Clucago, aud some in .\ll\u‘l‘:lluflu City, und probabily some lu Bheboy- i, Wis, ¥ \Whiat did you say in reply tqe what Judge Biodgett told youl" s After b bad safd he had closed tne whole matter up, 1 il 4f he could not open aguln, Hu sal CNoy Mr. Cratn, 1 aui surry you havo tost u good burgain, but I canuot help you now,' “Theu I lett.” Did you yo back to blin againt * Yea, sir," Waom dhl you take with you, (f soy one?” 4 Mr. ‘Futbun, an attorney.” “Stute in detall whal took pisce the second thue you weut back, Was it that sume day(” *‘Ihe satwe day, In the afternoon, asbuut 9 o'clock, I went tih and introduced the subject again to Judie Blodgett, and told bim I thought 1 nad boen wronged, sl thut I thought he could strazhten mo out right. 1 sald, *Judgo, T have just wet the Assignee at the foot of the stairy und invited bhin to come up with we, and we can geb ub the bottom of this thing very quickly.,' Ho sald he dld not want to iear any anoru sbout the cases ho hed closed it up, 1 said to him, * L have been swindled, Judue, by your Assiguce.’ He satd, *1 don't waot you to talk ubout auy swindling buslucss here,? Witness afterwards got the property by s de- eree [rom Judge Drwnuond's Court giviug bim the property. ‘The case, however, flually weut to Washington. Col. Cuuper called witness' attentlon to the petition of Bradford Huncock, the Provisional Auslxuce, stating that pstitioncr had repeatedly valled upon Hodgking to pay over to petitioner the purchase-woney; that, ou the 10th of July, ho procured 8 certiiled copy of the Urst -order, presented is to Rodgking, and demunded pay- tuent; that Hodgkius fatied to vay the $10,000), or any part of that sum. ‘The petitioaer fur- ther stated that be bug recelvod bid of $10,500 drom Couro & Carklny, believed 16 for the oest lnterests of the estato to set malde orucr, und prayed that su order be entered tiug 2alde the order coutirmivg the sals to Hodg- kius, and reyoklog tue sale, wad ordering thit o (24 the propesty he aold to Conro & Carkine. To this peution n jurat was attached, but not sworn to. ‘The witness sald he remembered the petition. Col. Coaker—In that casc, was it shown tliat any notice of this petition or Haucock's sppli- uiylnn was served on Hodgkins or yout Judge Blodgett—We admit that no notice was served without the gentleman belng troubled Lo prove ft. 'nl. Conper—Very well, I am much ohliged, Witnese? attention was then called to the order entered by Judge Blodectt Monday morn- inz, July 12, serting aside the first order of eale to Tedgkins and directing the sale of the prop- erty to Conro & Carking for #40,500. The wit- nesa sald he remeinbered hearing the order read, After the order was enterad he applied to his attorneys to s what could bedonclin the case, ninl the matter was taken before Judge Drummeond on a petition for review, “Don't you remember that Judge Drum- nond, upon that matter golng before him, and it apaearine that there was no notice served on cither Hoduking or you, entered an order direct- e that the Discriet Court should sct aside (hiv vrder vacating the saleand let the partics be neard on thelr merlts " “Yea, I rumember about that.”" “Then there was & hearlng before Judge Blodeetet® “Hafore the Register,* “Do you remuember thst, when that order direeting the District Court to sct astde the or- der of July 12and let vou and i{odgkins in to he neard un_ the matter, there was an ap- blication made before Juidge Blodgett that, fo- armuch as Conro & Carking had already palil §15,500 for the property, you he allowed to give hond pending this litigation?” “f think there was." “lo you remember that Judge Blodgett re- fused to allaw you to zive any bond that the money should Ls tortheoming whenever the matter should be detesmined, but required you o pay futo the court 40,000 before he would glve vou sn order In the care?” *{ think 1 lcarned that through counsel.” “*As a matter of fact, fur several months there was 880,000, being the purchase price from the two parties, on de;osit in the court, wifs there not,—In the bank ot the court, or the registry of the courtf" 1 kuow I pald mvy money," ‘It was understood that thelr tnooey was pajd {n1" “Yes" ¢ * Nuw, what relatton did Albert Conro nnd Willard 8, Cackins huve to eliher of the two bankrupts, Fox amd Howard 1 know they were on friendly terms; Mr. L!uku,u. Lthink, stopped at Fox's house while cre,” * Before the order of July 12, had not Conro und Carkius hoth wvnlied to'you ta liave vou give Harry Foxun fnterest fn “this vraperty it you got it on your Vid " “Not in that way, ‘They applled to me to represent that @hey " were fricnds of Harre Fox and wanted to assist him; and offered some moncy to buy an interest in this property, This was about the 7th of July.” Coutinuing, witneas saul Judge Blodgett kept the matter under advlsement ubout four months and a half, and tinally declded against him, the main geound of his declsion being that the Judge didn't think the witndss bad any atauding in courts that he Lad put & man of atruw ot the hicad of bim to muke this bid, so thnt witness might toke it or let it go ns he saw fit. Col. Cooper offered Judge Blodgett's decia- {on, the evidence i the vase, atck the petition of review—uil ot which were in a printed volume —In evidenve, Col. Cooper-slso read from Judge Drum- mond'soptulon, in which e said there was not the slightest testimony to lndicate any bad faith the part of Crane thronghout the whole ow ness, as the Distrlet Court sesmed Lo intimats on the contrary, 83 2oon as notitled by tho As- slunee, Craue told him the bid was a bona lide one, nid that the noney would be fortheoming Mondav morning, nwl his whole conduct wus consistent with thut view. [t had been elcarly shown that Hancock did not act in good faith with Crane or the Conrt. The rescinding.of the order of sale upon bis (1{uucock’s) ex-parte state- ment wus a grave orror on the purt of the Dis. trict Court. Haucock had not properly dis- clianged lis dutica os Asslenee, IL was the duty of the Distrlet Court to arrest the proceedings, aml to flw Crane a bearing when informed of what had tuken place, lu or- der that equity and justlce mizht be meted out 1o the partics, and no unfulr dealing practiced between them, especlally by the Asslgace, an ollicer of the Court. i ‘\I’llnnn remembered the language, substan- ally. Mr. Goudy srose una sald he dida’t desire to Interfere with the fnvestigation, but he bad heen watching to sce what there was n this agalust Judgu Blodgett. ‘I'ho case wus prescut- ed W Judre Boduett, who decided one way, uiml oppealed to Judge Drummond, who gevided the other way, What point there was which affect- ed Blodgoett deserving impeachment he had been trylug to see. Col, Cooper sald 80 far as Judge Drummond differed from Judge Blodgert wu a question of uw, no poiul wus ralsed, “The poiut’ was Judice Blodeaty's conduct in the matter, aml ho s(mmmr)lmdnlcrwd 1o the opinlon of Judgu Drummond 10 ~huw what his (Drummond’s udginent was with reference to the integrity ol Inne wha bl been stnce then Provisional Assieneo in iy cases und Assignee In 200 more, Mr. Knott understood the testimony was of- fered with a view ot showing that Huncock had heen repeatedly appointed by Judge Blodeett when he had Kiewledze thut he wos not a sult- ablo perron ta be pluced fu the position of Pro- vislonal Asniznes. Mr. Goudy sald, so fur as that was concerned, it would be shown at ance by introducing Judge Bioduett's opinjon. 5 Mr. Kunott thought it was interesting read- ing, [Laughter.] 2 Alr. Cawmpbell remarked they could sit and have the cuse padded, but there wus no point fu It Cal, Guoper—1 am not as good & padder as ou are. ‘The examination of the witness was then re- sumed. He remembered the order entered by Judeo Drumnmoml to tars over the propeety to him, and that counset for Conro & Carkius prayed an appeal 1o the United States Bupreme Coure, und made applleation for a supersedess, and thut, thoueh e approved the bond, declded that, under the Bankrugt law, there could be no up- enl. The next mornmg witness went efore Smhmmmlgm. anel, through counsel, ssked hlin to enter nn order directing the Assignee to turn the property over In sceordance with the decree of the Circult Court, Judice Bludgett refuced to doit, saviug that e bail the power, us ex- otficio Cireult Judge, to hear an apolication for » eupersedeas, Witnews bad finally, to eet the property, tu replevy it in the Stute Courts. Ou cross-cxamluation, witness said he wasa party to the ease, nid )oper Was one of his uttorneys, e dldn’s understund thut Judze Davis overruled Judge Drimond und granted A supersedens. dudee Drummond had stricken out 8 eood deal of the lnnguae n the ongios) churge, He had naturally suine feeling about Hlodiett, but had never iade threats agadnst him. Mo bud talked the matter over lois of times, He bad not told E. W, Blatehford that lie knew Blodizett wos u corrupt Judze, und had taken money, e night have tald i that he thought Blodgeit was o corrupt Judie, but didn't remember uny partlealar tali with Blatehfonl. fle presumed he had told others it e belioved Blodgait was corrant, [l had not contributed woney (o earry og the jovestl- gutlon, or ciployed counsel, After Hodgkin's bid, witness paid no strention to the matter for about ten davs, uutil the bid was coufirmed, Hlodukin_looled out for b, st Keot bing posted. Hoduki wis not responsible—was uot aman of means, Witneds knew what he had bid, but be did vot sign the p.nlu-r, or kuow In whose handwrithye it was to, e didu’t know that Hodekin had bid ju_his own name unth somy time wfterwards. e did not put him forward to tuke the property it the bid proved 8 good oue, or to ree Ject it g it were wot. He did 1t kuow 1hat be could not be held responsible tothe Assiguee, It Hodekin haa bhl $100,000 he would not have consldercd hlinselt bound, as hetold lum (0 bid #10,000 Witness knew the sale was for cash, and was ready to pay iL as souil a8 the pruperty could be reaclied. le took nosteps to have the sale contirmed. In the argument betore Judyge Davis, Judize Trumbul), be thought, oecupled” two or thres hours, 1le had bieard Blodieeit’s deciston in which he suul 1t wus cloar 10 bl that nothing liad been dia- clused thut made Hodgkw's tid biuding on Crane. . . It was fmmaterlal, leguliv, whother the Assiguce kuew at the time the bnd was ade, orat duy subsequent thne, that Craue was futereited fuaf This cloaed the case of the weworlalists, ¥ L. KALES, F. H. Koles wus called by Mr. Goudv. He wis vne of the counsel 1w the case, and was present at the argument for & supersedeas bo- foru Judge Davis. One was ullowed, und an ap- pesl was takeu to the Supreme Court. The merits were nob passed on there, it belog held thut the cuse was not appealable, Judgo Trum- bull closed the wrgument before Davis, cccupy- Juw about balf an hour, 'The ncrits wers als- cussed. Mr, Knott remarked that this collateral fo- quicy had gune perbavs fur enoueh, Witaces sald he dld sot remeiber anvthing that Judie Drummond bad said which uffected the geuerul character of Hancock for Integrity or bomesty. Jis dmpresalon wus that Judee Druwmuiond bad the idea that Haneork ved wot acted with entire roess In disclosing all the facts to the Court. [Ie did not know, never hav- Ing hesrd, whethor the view Judge DPrummond took of flancoui’s character was called to the attention of Judge Blodgett. Jutge Blodgett, of course, knesr the conclusian, hut whather e ever read or knew the lanzuage in which It was tlothed, witness hadn't the remotest idea. PROVISIONAL ASSIGNEES, Mr. George A. Hawley, called and examined by Mr. Goudy, sald he had had n good deal of experience fn bankruptey business in the Northern and Bouthern Districts of lilinols, bath Districts of Wisconsia, the District of Jown, the Esatern District of Missourl, the Instrict of Indians, and some others. Inall these dlstrivts he had efther personally obtalned the sopolntinent of Provisional Assignees, or buen Intercated in estates In which they were appoloted. e had never been refused a Pro- vislonal Asalgnco when asked for under proper cireatustances, Cross-examination was walved, Mr. Cyrus Bentley was valled by r. (oudy, awd staied that be had bad conslderable ex- perlence {u bankruptey business. He had been Interested fn bankruot estates in which Mesars. denking, lancoek, and Campbelt lud al) been Provisional Assignees, aud found that 1t was beneficldl to the estata to lave them rather than inexperienced persuns, anel that the catates wero Letter administercd und more socedily settied, He had bad most to do with Mr. denkins (o that eapacity, but he hud aiso sume experience of Mr. Hancock, and cou- sidered him a competent oficer. Ilu had never known an fustance (n which complaiot bad been made to Judus Bloduatt spalust these gentlemen beloge sppolnted. It was less ex- vensive to a baukrupt estate to have a Provis. fonal Aseignce appuinted thanto have the prop- erty turned over to the custody of the Marshal, Bometimes 8 controversy urises as to ucts of prefevetice, which proloug the litization, but lie had never known o Pruvisional Asslence to be apootuted uutll there hud heen an adjudication, Cross-examination was walved. sble, another bankruntey laty- yer. ¢ hat lind & Inrge esperlenco with temporary Assiznees, and regarded that svstem as less exvensive than the plan of put- ting bankrupt estates in the hands of the Mar. shal, When the Marshal did take possession, as lte knew from exparience, stores were closd un, stocks depreciated, mul the estates sufferal. He bad known of nu complaints of creditors elther againat the system or thethree Assignecs, Jenking, Hancock, and Campbell, Un cross-examination by Mr. Sheldon, witner gave it out that he was an uld vartner of I N, Ilibbard, sud his present office was i the next. room to flibbard’s. Jaines M. Flower, another baokruptey lawyer, was vailed by Mr. Goudy, und teatified thut Col. Cooper had told him’ within u month 1hat be waa gatistied he had done Bradford IHancock sn Injustice ns far as this Conro & Carkine mat- ter waus concerned, and that lie now believed by wus an honest mat, nid wished witness would tell Huncock s, Witness testiied that he re- plied 1o this by telling Col, Cooper he thoueht it was dite to "Mr. Hancock thut he should tell hun o himaelf, * Do you not retnember, Mr. Flower,”" asked Col. Cooper, * that what 1 eald” was thls: that our {nvestigations into the uffairs of the As- signees hud convineed me tiut Mr, Hancock was a very eflicient man (" 3 ¢ Colonel, 1 bave given the language exactly s I recollect it.” i "-L=id you o and tell yudge Blodpett about L “No, sir. Itola Mr, Hancock of it subse- quently, and the only otber person I luve toll I8 Georze W. Campoell, and that siuce I catne fn here"? “*But that statement on my part had nothing to do with Juduze Blodiett's apvoiuting Mr. Hancock Provisionnl Assignec long before that, und reveatedly sppoloting him 9" “No, ir," = “ [ gald this Ina confidential comwunication with youi" “1didn't 8o understand It.” THE POST-OFFICE BLOCK. THE GARDEN CITY I'OSTPPONED, Col. Cooper sald the memorialiats were now ready to go fnto the charge relating to the Gar- den City matter, Mr. Goudy—We are ready to take up elther of the other charges, but not that, ‘Iuat s something we never heard of untll the paper was hunded to us, 1 have sent to the other aude for the privilece of louking at the files bejong- Ing to the Court, und the gentlemen refused to let we see them, Mr. Kemp enidd hie went over to the memorinl- ista’ table and asked for the tiics, but was told thut Mr. Bheldon was not through with them, Col. Cooper snld he was prepared to o on with the Gurdea City wutter, and had lest the charge with the officdal stenographer to be handed to the Clerk. The Clerk safd lie had not scen it Mr. Guudy—Why did not you give them to 1 us Col. Cooper—Blnply berause that wos not the order of the Committee. iy were to be given to the Clerk, und you wlill get them from the Committoe. Mr. Gondy—1 will {nquire of counsel for the memoriallsts whetlier they are through with these papers, und whether we can bave them now. Mr, Bheldon—The files of the Federal Court, as they have been in the past, are now very wieh ot {uur dispusal, We have not bal the facility of access to them that you have bad in the past four weeks, Judge Modzctt (tndignantly)—There should be no insinuations of, that kind, sie, from you. Yun know botter, Mr, 8heldon—Woe have examined thens, amd they are now at yuur disposal. Judze Blodgeit—1 wish to state tothe gentle- wen of this Committee that this gentleman bas no right to insluuate that there uas been oy disposition to withheld pupers from him. 1 did nut kbow that these papers were to be brought in here. We have had 1o gecess to then, sl did not know until wu hour age thut there was any charze connected with this case, The Chatrmau—I hope the gentlemen on both sldus will take futo counsideration the position ozeupied by the Committee here, and endesvor to facilitate our labors as far as possible und ns pleasautly us posstble nu Lotk sides, We shply desire 1o have the fuirest aind futlest lnvestlea- tion on both sldes, without suy feclhing abont It, We would be glad 1t the gentlemen could ue- comnodate themsslves to that datre on our urt, g Mr. Campbell—We are ready ou either of the churges except thls ons [Garden City muatter|, whicl bus been handed to us sisce wo camu in hers, W have not the shientest idea what it means, Wo woula lke to be pennitted to guess what there 18 Iu it, at least. “I'he Chatrman—0h, certalnlys youn shall bave fulr upportunity, Mr. Camnbell—0On the other charces we arg udy at any mument. (e Chateman—1 will state that, while this Commiteer is here under the order of the House of IRepresentatives to glve the fullest and most patient tnvestization to this muatter, atil walle we desire to to su, we atlil feel that we vuglit to huve sume diseretivn about how far the thing Is to o, und Whether we can affurd Lo devotu much further tme to ft. We would, therefore, sav thut we should 1o to cxumioo this chunce andd specifieation (Garden City) befure thls mat- ter goad winy farthier, onraeives: and I te meantuue wo would ke the geotiemen to take upone of theother charges upon which the catiusol have announced thennelves yeady to proceed. Wo do not know whut tuuy be fu- valved in this chargs to which our attention fs called now by thy memoradisid, or whul its lati- tude may embrace; and wa desirg Lo luok over it beture we o fnto (L Examing witbesses on the other LWo churizes us suon us pussible. My, Huefdun sshl he did uot know whether there were auy witncsses tu the room now, ‘The wemoriallsts unoderstood the rule 1o Lo that they werd to produce the charges the night bo- fore they took evidence upon thew; and us those tivo clmniuu wers only prosented thls afternoon, they had not expected to call wit- nesses wpon thicw. Cul. Cooper suld the supply of subpwnus had runout, uid 1he Serguant-at-Arms wis now send- Ing out wltes witnesses. 'Fhie Custrmau—1 have just suggested, oo be- balf ot myself and My, Culberson, that we would 1Ko to Jook over this chargs sud pass upon L. Mr. Gulberson—And in the event that we do not desiro to fuvestigaty It, we expect that you will be ready to go on with the other charges In the woruing, TITE CHARGE. The following charge (tbu sixth) was then taken ung ‘That the eald Heury W, Hludfi'flt has usert the vower aud inttuenca ol his jJudicial alllce 10 enfurca unlawiul contracis in favor of bis (riends, wad, in the sald capacity of Judge, Knowiugly directed and vesmitted 1hy entry of scandaious orders upon the rucorda of salu District aud Circuit Courty, Speciflcation Arst—That ou the 17th of July, 1872, oue F. 117 Winston, who had beew the fnicid of wird Heary W, Bludgett for many years, sud who fur 8 long ueniod of Lime prioeto (o sald fleney W, Blodzetv's clevation 1o e Beuch bad Tween his law partuer, obuined leave to, aud, by bis atloraey, ticorge U, Campuell, tled fo said Cles cult Coust, then preslded uver by ssid Heury W, 1, & wetiton in the watter of the velitlon {'wited States for the condounmation of Bloci 321, Scuwl Scetiva Addition tu Culcsgy, for 8 Curtom-House and Post-Office site, elaiming an allosranceontol the moneys of theUnited Stater, and then temporarily In thy custody of sain Clrenit Court, of the anm of $30,000 a¢ s, the said Win. aton'a enmmiesions for the eale to the United Siaten of the interests of certain pacties in mald | Tlock 1213 that arterwards, and on the 20th day of the aame month of July, the sald Henry V. Blo1- gett canned and directed an arder to be entered nn the reconts of mald Cirenft Court granting the prayer of sald petition. and directing tho pavinent to said Winaton of mald sum of $30,000; that, prior to the iling of aaut petition by the said Win- ston, one J. 0, Glover, who was then District Attarney for the Northern District of Tiinoiy, had, In the month of March in the year 1 filed a_petition in mald Crrenit Court on hw- half of the United Siales vraying for the con- demnation of said Rlock 121 for a Cnstom- Hoaso "ost-(flice site, which raid petition, so fled y sald (lover, nad passed to fina! fndement fn aald Conrt hefore the said 15th day of Joly. 1s%: and the titis tn sald Biock 121 was abaut 1o tw ai quired by the United Staf under anid condemnu- tlon proceedings, which vetition of sald Glover and the petition of sald Winston were filed {n tho Bamy uee in the eaid Coort, and thereafter cou slitnted and heceme a part of the files therein: that on the 20th dasof July, 1872, the day whereon the rald Henry W, Bludgett, an such Jndge, granted the prayer fn the petition of said Winston, and ~ordered Aud directed the payinent tr bim of the sald mm of $10,03, the pleadings and proofa on file in sald cadee, sava the petition of sahl Winston, fatied to show tht any such salo of raud block had been wade, but, on the conteary, did sijow that no purchae liad or coutd he made by the United Statea of the sald Bibck 121 for the purpose aforae wald: that the cialm of aad Winaton for commi- rions, 14 aet forth in his said petition and atlowed by ealil Judic, wan of an nnlawful charactor, hoing anongt ather thina [of compensation for the ex- creine of mald Winataw's Inflocnce with officers of the Governnent; ond that the nrder caueed to e entered by waid Henry W. Dlodgott, a4 sulge, allowing the penyer of mald potition of was u scandal npon the records of ol becanse of jta belne s wan afterwards, on the 15ih day of Auzast, 1 by the IHon, Thomas Drummond, reult Judge of the Seventh.udicial Clecuit of the nited Staie r, cauned (o be vacated any set aside, And the cortificates luaued thereunder cancoled and destroyed, THE NMECORDY, Mr. Goudy sald the records and all the other ' papers counnceted with this charge had been sent for and brought fn, aud the matter mighe be disposed of this alternoon os convenlently 2 &t any other Hme, Col. Cooper suld the record evidence night be introduced now. Mr. toudy sald he oheerved Mr. Storrs present, who had been subpanaed as a wituess, nnd 1t would tuke a while for Mer, Storrs to teil s story. Mr. Storra—If T tetl all T know it will take all the ufternoony all 1 know about this matter will take but a liitle white, ‘I'ie Chalrinan suguested that the documentary evideace be put In. Col. Cooper called for Mr. Willlam i, Brad- ley or Mr. E. A, Drummond, but pelther of thess gentlemen was present. Judpe Elodirett—Do you want to prove the recordst Mr. Trumbuli—We admit them. Col. Cooper—Well, they prove themselves, anyhiow, Mr. Goudy—We may admit all you want to prove by them, Cul. Conper—I gucss not, * Gen, Stiles read from the Court records the order of Wednesday. July 17, 1372, iving Wina- ton leave, throuch Gicorze C. Campbell, to illo his petition clahnine commlisslons; atso the oniler of Saturday, July 29, 1872, hefore Judeo Bladuett (* 1he Hon, Thomas Deummond,” parently Interlined), awarding Winston his com- ission of 30,000, in three siuns of $10,040 each from each helr. On the marein of this pags red the note, ** Rescinded by order on page i 5 dudee Blodgett—Wouldu't it be equally fatr, Gen, Stites, to read the stipulation tiled at the time the order was inadel Geu. Stlles said ho would when Wis uttention was called to it. The other pide produced the stipulction between the parties to the entry of the omier, und the Generat read it. Gen. Stilen also _vead an order entered the same day, Lefore Judie Drutmond, direstiog that the sum of £80,485.12, the amount awarded as eompensstion tode pald to the Pawtucket Institution for savings by the report of the Comanssioners iu the case, be pald to that Ine atitution out of the funds vlaced ip the Lands of the Collector af Customs of the Port of Ctn- vago by the Secretary of the Treasury tor thut purpose, It wis further ondered that it be cer- tified by the Clerk to the Collector nevordingly, o8 uuthority for payment of the rame. Mr. Kuott fuguifed a8 to the object of all this, Col. Couper Rtated that the records showed that, on the day thore was entered o order in this Winsion inatter by Jodee Blodgets in the condemnation of this biock, on the same another order was entered by Judge Drummonil o to the clatms uzainst the same fund, but not in favor of Mr. Winston, Gen, Sthes read the record of 'Thursday, Aug, 15, 1872, Judge Drummond sitting, when the District Atturnoy apoeared, und, by agrecment of the parties, the order originally entered July 20 direetlng certuin moneys to be pald to F. C, Winston wus vacated wid sot aside, and held for nanghit, nrd the certificates fasued thereon ordered caticeled and destroyed, Cul. Couper sakd that this’completed the rec ord dn th e would want some five ut six witnesses who could not be present til this worning, when the exatmimation would be very brlef tndeed, Mr. Goudy called the attention of the Come mittee to the aet of Conuress under which the Svcrotaty of the Treasury purchased this prop- erty, —an aet 10r 1he construction of a public buildine at Chicugo, sporoved Dece. 21, 1871,— and the notlce of 1he Collector under that uct fuviting sealed pruposals. ¥ 1. WINSTON. As Col. Cooper had no #itnesses, Mr. Goudy enlled E. HL Winaton, Tle “presumed® he was the person referred to In the documents read, e bad put in s bid on behalf of the owoers of the block i pursu- ance of the notice fuvitlug provosals. e was not present fu court at the time the order was made for the payment of money to “F. C. Winston.” He didn't procure the stipulation under which that order or any other was muade, “ Were yuul Lo receive auy mouey covered by the onder! " e Na, sir,"? Wl you recelve any money under that or- der, or alter that time under any arraneement b you bt made with the Bigetow belrat ™ lfill not.’ AL it tine you had recelved all the money |u‘:vlh|n-h‘ vou, persunally, were entitled P had ‘1o you kunow, personally, vhether Judge mmllgcu knew anyting about this travsaction or uott’? * i1e uever dild from me." i you ever hear that he did from any luurlv 113 b cr heard that he did from anybody.” cre there oilier partivs who were cotitled, under ahy serancement, ta a porton of the sum f 30,000 which you were entitled to under the act with tho Bigelow helra" Fuere wore.' ¢ And your portion of it vou had received be- fore that order was madel” S0 had" Do yui remenber who was eutitled to that i S You may atato 1t." “This arcangement, [ would ay, In explana- tion of this matier, hadjleen wade, not by sell st all, but by uther partlea who were futers ested more thun I was fn the matter—1 acted us utiorney for them—principaliy 1L i, Honore, who hiad a Jarge fterest [y the nelghborhood of the Post-Otlice bullding, und at bls reguest nud the wolleitation of fricnds, as counssl, [ made this proposition to the Govermment, with the understanding thut 1 should recelys a certaiu suin tor an e8I the matter, sud tha uiber should be divided up by blin us he saw " Cal, soper said he had no questions. My, Winston—"Thuuk you, slr, Mr. Goudy—As a copy” of & paver authorizing you to make u sale to the overnment bas been read fu the petition, [ will ask whether you pro- cired that uuthority from tue Bigelow Lelrs runaing to yout * Mr. Hunore procured it. I want to say, la cxtxlun:mun of that,—verhaps it has no bearlpr, = had drawn out 1or the other purtics §20,000 from the estute at that time, and one of the beirs huddied, snd {8 becuny necessary to get sathe onder of the Court, as | uoderstond |ty which would justify thews fa paylng the balauce of 1he money overs and it was thought by the sitoruey wlhu represcnted the hetri—\Wolte and Campbell—that ~ this would be thu best wuy do ity as I upder stand; and 8 stioulation was cutered lote authorizing the cutry of the order for the purposs of authoriaing 1hi adwinistrator, who refused, it is suld, to pay the balsoce of the 10 wanev, ¢ Did uny part of that $20,000 come from the Governu * Not a doilar.” &1 came from whom P* The Bigclow heirs.* » Out of the $1.230,000 recolved by them from the Uovermnent Entlrely su? *+ \Wnat uboul the rescindiug of the erdert™ “1 uever kuew wuything gbout it,—who