The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-17

tne HfgSffT, al tu"N sPcStSs
ofblack mail had been adopted during the exis-
Hence OF the late Canal Eoard The Senate appoint
I'd . committee, Of which Mr.. Mcsiurray was chair
snsn ana the following is portion Of the tes-
tsmony
The Select Committee appointed under and BY
virtue Of the following resolution, viz -
In senate, March ~, 1852 Resolved, That a Sc
Acct committee OF four be appointed to enquire
whether any and what banks. or banking associa-
lions, nave paid or given any premium reward or
g-stuity to any, and what person or persons for the
purpose OF obtaining deposits of the tolls of the
canals ard other moneys Of the State. and the
reason for making such reward. gift gratuty;
md whether such deposits have been refused to or
diminished, or removed from any bank or banking
association, to pay or contribute any gratuty
ward, asked or demanded, for obtaining or recoiy-
pg such deposits; and also whether, and by whom
iich banks or banking associations having or an
lying for such deposits. have been asked or re-
rired 10 pay, or contribute money for any and
that purpose; and that said committee he author
ized 10 send for persons and papers
Submit the annexed testimony in pursuance Of the
boye resolution.
ALBANY, April II. 1852.
WM. MCMrERAY, q. 4. PlERcE-ln the matter
OF the examination under the foregoing resolution,
taken this 9th day Of April, 1852,
VIM. Williams being duly sworn. says. that he
ye7ides at Buffalo, is Cashier cf Whites Bank Of
l'utalo; said Bank has received the canal tolls, a
portion Of them collected at Buffalo and Black Rock.
Tor several years, since 1911; some years more in
amount and some years less; one year none at all;
made written application 10 the canal board: usu-
ally came TO Albany on the subject on the day when
1ho banks were to be designated have employed
pgents twice; Mr.. Seth G. Hawey. y year ago now
end L. Peshim Smith two or three years ago got
tmith 10 come two three years ago. after the day
had passed there was q certain amount that had
bot been disposed of employed them to bring their
tnhuepce TO bear upon the Canal Board TO gel por-
1ion Of the tolls during the year bIr Fillmore was
Comptroller: did rot get any: knew those gentle
Snen would have more influence than myself with
1he board. At the time Fillmore Comptroller
IN dividing the tolls at Buffalo. | was here Alba
n.y. and understood, after the board was adjourned
ahat they had given us sixth part at that point,
and went home satisfied; but in a day or two
got letter from the auditor. Rueglcs. saying
zhey had reduced us to a twelfth; in few days
alter got another letter from l,uggcs, saying that
5hey had further revised the matter, and concluded
not TO give us anything; it was about the list Of
March before this We had one quarter under Flage;
shortly after this received another letter from the
Auditor, giving us notice that thoy would shortly
draw On us for the balance Of the depostes with US
from thirty to sixty days ahead; came down a few
days before the allotment that year. and told Fill
more that II they were going to divide among the
banks there, according 10 their commercial Standing
Shat we were entitled to share but. if POLITICAL
~, We would not ask for them: lie disclamcd any
political considerations III the matter: but we did
not got any; We employed 10 agent that year; in
relation 20 Hawley there was consideration agreed
On; but ashed him TO assist us this last year,
ana at Congress Hall, (Albany); paid him - 900
Nter. IN oil inc service. nau
= note against him for $500, and he came in with an
$500 note, which he wanted me TO discount, and
took out the former note and made him q
present Of 800; it was railroad tolls which had
mot been disposed of: the year sent MIR.
Smith. some one suggested we should send him down
and went over and gave him $50 to come down.
These are the only sums we ever paid in this way.
but have been, from time to time, called hy bot
parties to contribute for election purposes and have
paid them. In employing Haw1cy. it was on the
ground Of my impression that he had more influence
witb the board than had; agreed to pay him for
ahe services never conversed with any State officer
with reference to the employment of Hawey: has
not since been threatened with withdrawal Of the
2olls; the amount we have had since onetwelfth:
abe sums paid to Mr.. Hawley and Mr. Smith were |
paid to them respectively, as agents Of the bank,
aud employed by me: they were neither Of them !
holding any state Office at the time; was not recon-
menaed to employ them by any person in or about
the Canal Board At that time; never communicated
At to any one in Albany, except as fcllows-nor do
Know how the chairman Of this Committee ever
heard Of the above circumst ances:-Was in Albany
Some time since, and met +. r. Jewett, Of the
Register newspaper, who said-s'You don't have to
discount for Hawley now TO get the tolls" said
10 Judge Wright. Comptroller, that, heretofore We
had to send an attorney to Albany to get the tolls,
but did not mean to pay anything this year. ]
Know there was personal quarrel between Hswley
and Jevett.
Odd you employ Iawley on account ofhs per-
sonsi, professional, or political influence! A.
employed him on account of his influence with the
Canal Board, both professional and political: when
employed Mr.. Hawley there were some tolls "a
small amounD on deposit with us: after employing
Hawiey there was no change in the amount OF dc |
posts allotted to ne; there has been good deal Of
strife at Buffalo for the tolls.
u. N. Barney, being duly sworn, says he resides !
nj Buffalo; is President of the Bank of Lake Erie
ms received the canal tolls on deposit in 10, 30
and 81 came to Albany in each year for the pur
pose Of getting them: employed man 10 assist me
the 6rst year; it was Seth c. Hawley; did not know
the course 10 be pursued; myself and Hawley were
here WAS not advised by any to do it: lIawley
was 10 uae his influence with the Canal Board; |
was not personally acquainted with them and
knes hs was. not Professionally as ! know
what my claims were did not agree or pro-
mice 10 pay him anything for such service: |
DON'T know whether have paid him anything since
not, for the service have discounted notes for
him, on the same terms as for others discounted
note for him before that time which was paid
have discounted two for him since of $3.50 eacb-tboy
were ninety-day notes: have fallen due and arc not
ya;d they were notes payable to hi order. and
drawn by himself; one was discounted in 1910, and
Abe other in so the first past due when dis
counted the last have never commenced suit on
either, or made any attempt at collection have
never asked him to pay them il j. not frequent
that we discount note without an endorser there
are men who we would discount note for without
an eadorser IL il not customary FOR n to discount
for person who has note under protest II might
Do done in some cases, in extraordinary cases.
tnd cases Of renewals to get better security
Sid not get any more security IN case oi
Hr. Hawiey i departed from our custom III
tbis case as special favor TO Mr.. Iiawley
There was nothing said about the reward for The
berrice in dscounting the first note had no good
reason ts suppose he would pay the second when the
first unpaid; do no, consider Mr. liawley very
responsible he has not been since have known
him, and that is good while never had any com
mun;cstion with any State officer with regard to |
employing agent, or informed any Of them that |
I had employed him ] do not know whether he in |
formed them he represented us when said did |
not know VII ether had paid him or not. alluded |
10 those notes: our bank commenced business in
October, IS4S too late in the for the o Of
That year We rot the Tolls, and Hawey represented
10 me that he helped to gel them got one-sxth Of
the Buffalo tolls that year ; got one-twelith next
year, there were more banks TO divide il among
never had anything from the state officers with re-
gard to the tolls FIRST employed ilawley in 1919,
and next in 1850.
Aaron D. Patcbn President ofthe Patchin Bank,
has received canal tolls every season since and in
GLIDING 1915; in lS46 he requested | y Parmele,