New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-24
TIE JOSEPH WALKsR VESTIGATION

4 The JOSEPH WALKF K 1--WE STIGATION
4 Tie Special Committee Of the Board Of Aldermen
harced with the duty Of investigating the contract
made by the Mayor for raising the hull Of the ship Jo
| seuh Walker met yesterday afternoon at the City
Hal. Alderman Ely 10 the chair, and Aldermen Veor-
Lies and yoian present
Isaac o. Barker President of the Board of Alder
men and one Of the Commissioners of Health, being
swoD testified that he did not receive any notice to
| attend the meeting OF the Health Commissioners on
the 5lh of Mey, did he attend; he did not hear
fanything about the Joseph Walker until a few days
before got into the newspapers; he did not know per-
sonay that there was any danger to the health OF the
lCiiy from the Joseph Walker, nor did he know as
lCommissonsr Of Health he had never voted as Com
missioner of Health to authorize the Mayor 70 make
any contract or expend any money he would have
apr eaed 20 the City Inspector Medical Board before
| he would have authorized the expenditure of this
Money. .
O. Were YOU ever sent for bv any Aldermen previous
70 or tiIce the award of j. contra 70 you by the
NayOri A. was.
WeId.
O. viii sou state what took place at that inter
/ view a. lie asked me to meet him at the Joseph
er; saw him think he called at or sent to my
office and said he would like 10 see me at the City
Hall or AZ Sherwood's in b oadway; / came up to
the City Hall and went into the roo II OF the Clerk OF
the Common Council; | SAW Mr.. NalcOtne AMI
6fEcd
him personally, but would like 10 have M. Valentine
int oduee me; heponted out AID. Mosier and went
np aud introduced myself he said lac was glad to see
me and asked me imto a side room this room,
think; b. told ne that he knew my uncle aud the
family. and faid he UNDERSTOOD that | had
contract to raise the Joseph Walker
and asked Q if il was good one; reph-d thai 1t
would oeped upon the expenditures required 10 RAISE
her Witness said he would rather not answer any
hrthe questions. The Committee said that ne must
answer Wines conhnued-fhe Alderman went on
III. ,lttffa
dir, cling tie Suet Commissioners TO raise the wreck;
ne said thnt he thu Chairman OF the Committee on
Wbarves, Piers and Slips in the Board of Aldermen,
and n at a. Chairman lie held that resolutions he SAID
flat he could report upon 1t or keep 1t back as he
,leoecd and asked me whether ! would Ike or
whether m, interests would be served II t was hept
hack. replied that had ma o contract IN gool
fh with tie City 10 remove the wreck, aud tha, the
work ans eons ON that at that time the piles were
driven and two or three OF the trusses had been
re,ted n, did 10. see how The Aldermen or COun-
cluou could stop that work; ha sad that he old not
then want 20 talk tO me too much upon the suolect.
JNr Jones again wished 10 he excused from answer
fg. THO Committee insisted ON ma gong ahead
Examination contnued-The Alderman said he would
send fl lend 10 me- replied that he might do so
Il he saw FL; and the mex, day or the DAY follow
inr that | YVES waited on in my back oiice
Nv AID Vanau-Was there any further couver
sotsn at tbs first intei view with AID. NOsor A.
Not much; AID. Mo-ier, previous to his stating
that he would send friend 10 me, sail that he could
SOP the whole thing something OF ina, kind that
h. did not want 20 say too much 10 me- but Wouiu sehu
friend to me; the day folOwl0g, or on me next
5sy after that while sitting in my back Office Mr.
Rcbt L. Lane, of tn firm of Lane, West u, came
| in and sad lie wanted me TO 20 out VI the ohee thN
ore of the friends of the Board Of Aldermen, or OF AID
Nosier II can't say which the friend Of one OF the
| Aldermen on the principal Committee, wished to see
/ ne about stopping some important matters IN the
Board Of Aldermen in relation 70 the raising OF the Jo-
Eph Walker; he Mr.. Laut told me that the person
| wa ont on The side ais or in al Mr.. George w.
| Royne's; | went ont with Mr.. Lane and saw
| r,on my word, gentlemen, II : very dsagroeaOle
ls.ness-I would rather stop here, the Committee
| a1 be must proceed and saw gentleman that
4 knew having paid him many bills for wharfage; Mr.
Lane said he was formerly an Alderman dl1 not
How him at first; | knew him by SIGHT but dld not
$ NOV Iii. name YVES VI George II. Covert formerly
Alderman of The r. irteenth w ard Mr.. Lane toll me
tat ti- Covolt vas a friend of several members OF
ne Board OF AideIm IwhO were in tue habit OF meet
M at Sherwood's' Ia Broadway, every uayi MI
Lane told ne he thought that has better do some
thing to stop the Joseph Walker business IN tie
Board OF Aldermen; he SAID that Mr. Covert
had good css o. power WIN nuI mo r,a ..
uou.d this COMMITTEES and other members OF the
Hoard who were in the habit Of meeting. daily at
Slefwoods at IL o'clock; Mr.. Lane said rs hs utter
CT was CONCERNED ia the ship AID cargo, as was tho
pr cpal in the busues, and hal got the contract ana
a. o. of the Aldermen had sent tins incRd 10 me,
hae be ter talk TO h m; then had conversation win
Covert Mr. Covert stated that through certain chan'
ucs be could stop this businessthoi is be would stop
H. l told him THAI so far as l W as concerned, theI'
wHs nothing M my contract that was wrong-every-
thing had been dOpe in ood faith that did not want
any public uotoriety about il the Board of Aldermen
or any else; he told that he could stop It by
money; he said II would require $1,000. At tins
point IN ihe examination AID Mosicr came in. told
Linn would think the matter over. and then or Mr.
Lane would see him; had a conversation with Mr..
Lane uIon the subject aferwari and told him that |
did not zee that had ANYTHING 70 do with the Board
Of Aldermen. n the matter came from the Con mis-
sioner n OF Health | Sid no; think the Aldermen had
anything to do with the matter, hal consulted my
counsel pr,Viousls; never Mr. Covert after the
frst interview; hsd n0sneryiew with any other per
son hat acted negofistor In the matter; Nj. Gov
er sad lie Al 900 to be paid 10 stop the agitation
Of the joseph Walker business in The Board OF Alder
men; no raincs were mentioned Ia this connections
have pad any money, direct or Indirect TO any of
tie deTmou, any other persons, nor have shared
h money with any public official or private indiyid-
Il Usls, excepting partners
q. Did you see Aid. Mosier after the conversation
L with Mr.. COVERT A. did.
| Y What cid be say about the 81 ,eOOl a. He asked
mtf bad seen George, which suppose he meant for
M Covert. told him not since the frst interview
ne liked me If had dose anything or soing TO
70 anything in the matter. The witness said he
'V s1 Ie,hsr not 90 onl.
az az ss,iaD said be had good deal more 10 ask.
a. xeser-Yes, go on; want 10 see this out.
~ Gl-Go on, Mr. Jones, without fear or favor.