The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-09

tlemen, TO insinuate that there is any gentleman
who has subscribed to that affidavit but has sworn |
scribed to is fair in every particular. And yet,
l soy that there Ii no evidence In this aihEiyit |
to show that there has not been the grossest cor
ruption exercised in getting the grant through the
Common Council. These gentlemen have not sworn |
that they did not give money to third parties to
their influence as members Of the Common Council.
This affidavit hears exclusively on the grantees them
selves-that they did not corrupt the Aldermen.
But they have not here that they did not give
any man ten thousand dollars to his important
influence on members one, two or three; but they
tell you that to their knowledge there was no corru
ton used. | suppose that the historical fact re-
lated by Dickens, of the election somewhere, will IL
lustrate this matter pretty clearly. Mr.. Samivel
Weller's father paid Of money by parties Of
the opposing candidate, not TO dump" some voters
in certain point, but singular coincidence, IT hap
pened that they were dumped" in the very point
where it was said they were paid not to dump"
them. Uaughter) Now, we do not know whether
in this case it was 80 or not; but would it not have
been the easiest thing in the world to have put money
in the hands Of third parties, not to buy the Common
Council? QIaughter) | do not say it was done;
but how easy would have been to have paid in this
way ten thousand dollars very small amount OF
money in the estimation Of those partes-two of
this bill in amount Of wealthand, though ten thou
eand dollars il q good deal OF money, yet 1t is
cypher compared with the value OF this grant. How
easy for any Of these parties to say, "Ar So and &c.
the votes OF Aldermen A. and B; but do not you
offer them q bribe; we want to get this matter
through on the honest principle; We do not desire
this grant except we can get it on pure principles;
and don't you say that you will give an Aiderman
half Of the ten thousand dollars if he vote for the
bill" Naughter.) I merely throw out this sugges..
ton to show that tbi. affidavit does not mean what
it carries its face | say the grossest cor
ruption could have been practised 10 getting this
grant and yet Ill these men could have honestly and
conscientiously made this affidavit Now, gentlemen,
does it not appear to be very astonishing that this
is the most gigantic contract ever granted III the
United States to any parties and yet it Is the only
against which any one would try TO establish the
fact that there could be no objection to 1t on the
ground Of corruption? The press If it is to he be-
lieved-and some Of them have been very tardy in
coming out to attack the Common Couucil-has
said that the most necessary legislation could scarce
ly be got through the Common Council without q
consideration. And while think Of it, | will merely
lay before the committee another historical fact 1t
is lin newspaper, and consequently may he doubted;
but now hand in the authorities.
Mr.. French alluded to the recent indictment OF
two aldermen by the Grand Jury, and handed in the
official d. comments, certified by the officers OF the
court stating, at the same time, that this would
show that there some cases in which the lnteg-
rty OF the Common Council has been questioned. Nh
French also read this sentence in the presentmen OF
the Grand Jury from the New 9oRR HERALD:
II was clearly shown that ofmoney have
been expended for and towards the OF rail
road giants in the city AID that ards the decision aud
large that it would sarte the most creduous,
expended but in Of the voluntary absence
ofimpcrtant Witnesses the Grand Jury was ef without
Greet testimony Of the particular recipients Of the differ
emit amounts.
Now, it appears that these ordinary contracts for
roeds have been procured by the expenditure OF mo-
ney; and the only question with the Grand Jury was,
who were the particular aldermen who were paid!
There question at all IS to their corruption;
there WAS no question that money was expended to
such an amount as would startle the people OF New
fhay 1iCShf Ea IN
such things-and certainly they are pretty well used
to it now. As | was saying before gentlemen, this
railroad grant was the most gigantic contract ever
given out in this country; and yet, wonderful to re-
Q4aushter) Why, sir, it is quite notorious to
anybody who wants to get even sewer in New
York, that he must influence the corporation; AMI
when he gees to member Of the Common Council
and speaks to him about it, what are the common
questions put? How much is 1t worth to your
d How much do You want?' Why they say some Of
them have gone 80 far, and got 50 bold, previous to
these investigations that if person showed any de.
licacy in coming to the point they would say to him,
Come, now you need not be delicate about speakng
how much will you giyei Why air, they have sold out
the eg isation OF New York. they would have sold
out their wares. 1t is well known that members OF
the two last Common Councils who went in poor,
are very far from it now; and if they have made mo
ney by neclectng their business it Is new mode OF
making money in a mercantile community. Now,
| say that The whole mode of contract shows upon
its face that it never could have got through ex-
cept good deal Of money had been expended in
some way Remember, vast it to be distinctly I'M
derscod that am not charging the grantees with any
improperly am acquainted with 6oineot the gran
tees and know them to be above it. But sir. they
first come oct and address the public through the
press they come out and say, we do not want this
railroad except are able to show the necessity OF
it on sound argument But, sir, it Is generally be-
ieved the votes counted for and against that
railroad contract before the public ever knew it
in contemplation. Every members vote, it Is said,
was counted upon. Every member who had infiu-
ence with aldermen, brought it to bear. Each man
had been committed and all the arguments made
before the committee of the Common Council were
Just much breath thrown away, for the votes had
before them. l asked last night who were the
grantees in this case. On looking over Comptrol-
Ter Flagg's report, | found out names there very
similar 70 one or two | see here.
Now, il may be interesting TO know, in connection
with this grant, who Mr.. Martin is (dr French
then proceeded to read extracts from reprint OF
articles from the Jo~rsot Of Commerce, respecting
Mr.. hartin) -
Happening to be at the City Hall Friday looked,
for the first time she Names OF tue grantees Of the
broadway railroad, and there Of them, the
name Of y. X. Martin.
DR. Martin is one Of the grantees in the Broadway
railroad, and is the gentleman to whom the Ganse-
WORT property was TO be sold-property which was
estimated at three hundred thousand dollars, by the
Oldest and probably the most intelligent real estate
auctioneer in the city Of New York. The sale OF this
property was brought up in the Common Council,
and it was to be sold TO u. R. Martin and nobody
else though some of the honest men Of that board
tired TO have il sold at public auction but the motion
was voted down as being behind the age, and an OBJ
solcte way Of doing business Finally however, they
succeeded In getting inserted the names Of ID. X.
Martin and others Having heard by chance, that
This property waste be disposed Of went to the
Comptroler's Office TO inquire about it. gentle
man who has taken a prominent part In opposing
the passage Of this law, came TO me and told me Of
fha
matter OF this property. Of went and looked at
the property made the necessary inquiries, and salts
fed myself that it was very valuable piece Of pro-
perry, and from the representations made 70 me,
knew that it was going to he given away. | wrote
note to Comptroller Taylor, asking for the terms
ard conditions Of SALE aud stating that wished to
be considered as an applicant for purchase. | also
mentioned the matter 70 the agent Of wealthy citi-
zen Of New York, who also called on the Comptroller
wanting to know the conditions OF sale, and stating
that be wished 70 be considered applicant for the