The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-05-16
MUNICIPAL AFFAIR s.
The Reade street Corruption Case.

charges OF corruption preferred against the Committee
Streets OF the Board OF Counoiinen FIR alleged
attempt to extort money from property inte-
rested in the proposed wideniogjof Reads street,
again yesterday, at 81 p NJ, at the chamber of the
Beard City Hail. 10 further evidence 10 the matter
There large attendance Of members OF the Coun-
eimen Board present. and others interested in the
ject under inves gston. 1t being generally believed
that full disclosure about to be made of ali the
facts connected with the case and that the revelations
would iDpica,e several members Of the Common Council
much interest felt to hear the evidence to be elected
the further progress Of the investigation. How far
they were gratihed, mys.fed, both, may be
TesumiOg The hearing Of evidence, however, Mr. Van
tine, the Chairman OF the COMMITTEES, submitted the
following isser 70 % reas which explains ITSELF
In consequence If article which appeared the New
YORK HERALD Of Wednesday the 14th instant containing
statement that 'M Minis under the impression thar
Mr. Mundsy 10 ME main spng In the acon ofJohn Van
tine. Chairman the Committee OF Investigation the
Board Of Councmen relation to the action Of the Com
mit,ee on Streets the opening OF Rsade street,
deem it due to Mr. T. j. Hundsy state that was no.
Of the existence of the resolution offered by
appeared the papers the following morning. in
toe es the Board further it at
my rexuest he INDUCED taking any part 10 the
tsaon merely for the purpose Of assisting
Chairman Special COMMITTEES OF Bard OF C,uncilmen.
Ar. rheotore s. Minis tho hrst witness called, AMI
berg sworn, testified as follows:-
Do you know Mr. McCurdy9 A. never had the
pleasure OF an introduction to him..
".
the widening OF Rsade s:Ieet9 A. decline answering
Q. Did you write him the subjest wideain
Q. Did Mr. AcCurdy ever cali on you, at your house
A. he might keep an open house. and have ever since
caiiir treat vel, often giving then glass Of vine
DID you have an Interview with Mr.. McCurdy as to
the widening Of Reade street A. am not prepared TO
say that ever did, did not.
Q. Did you write TO him upon the subje;9 A. l
told you once before that declined answering.
Q. Do you know Mr.. Btssp A. never had the plea
sure Of an Introduction to him.
Q. Did you ever call upon Mr. W. W. Bliss in relation
TO the subject Of widening Reade street? A. decline
Q. Did you ever write to him upon the subje.is A.
That decline answering
tion from Mr. McCurdy Mr. Bliss having reference TO
the wideniIg of Reade street, A. decline .ering.
Q. Is this letter your handwriting (rhe Chairman
showed the ette. introduced the ner meeting Of
the Committee, and published in the HERALD, which Mr.
the signature s. MINIS the signature at the time hAv
ing been cut out of the letter by himselr)
is 81 the s saa over to
counsel and would direct him in his reply Receiving
the letter back be gave his the question
Icann0t say whether wrote the letter pot write
many different bonds; don't FAY did not write it.
@ Did any person advise you to call Mr.. Nc surdys
O. Upon what business die you call upon Mr. McCurdy9
A. re use to tell
@ Did you call to get him to pay 81 600 abou. the
widenr Of Reade streetY A. refuse positively to
swer, as have several times before.
Mr.. Phillips, counsel for Mr. Minis, here insisted that
the questions being put to the witness other par
ties Than the Committee Streets of the Board OF Coun
cilmsn, extra and not within the scope Of
csii them into existence he urged, empowered them
only Investigate to the acts Of the Couneilmen
mittee Streets In this particular instance Of alleged
Q. Did any member of the Common Council SIX you to
cali upon Mssr.s: asCmoy and Bliss: or say other
Of Rsade street, A.. am glad this question has
the explicit declaration that no member Of either
branch Of the Common Council and particularly no MEM
men, have had anything to do, far - know, with
this alleged at getting money from parties inter.
that no eo.r Of the city has had anything
O. Did you not call on Mr. Bliss and Mr.. McCurdy for
81 OC0 A. have declined answering that question half
dozen times, and decline agaia
O. Are you acquainted with the members Of the Coun
cilmen Committee on Streets? A. am.
O. Have you been connected with them 10 any
wayY A. acted a. clerk for them one afternoon at
Q. Were you ever authorized by them to speak with
a.y parties interested 10 the widenrg of Reade street.
nj. view o get b.m
O. Have you any objections to state the name Of the
party you told Mr.. Mcourdy asked you to cali hims
Mr. Phillips claimed that the question was gciug with
cut the scope Of the Committees authority
Mr. Gray Of the Committee said that in his view
tee had NO counsel The whole thing involved was only
plain matter of fact, and Mr. Minis could answer yes
Mr.. Phillips stated that he WAS there to protect Mr.
Minis.
Nj Cray said he did not and he presumed the com.
Httee cid not wish to force Mr.. Minis to answer any
questi0Ds he desired not to.
Mr. Minis remarked that he should be happy to ebHge
the committee all he could in his 1t happen
ed that he bad engaged legal counsel and he should
under that counsel's dictation.
Q. Did you no: tell MIR. MCurdy that you would get
$50 of the $l,000S A. No, sir; that brought to his
mind another denial he wished to make of Mr. MCuriys
% Sa 70 pSse
for his vss sake IS she supposed him to be the father
Mr.. Gray-Mr MCurdy stated in his evidence that you
stated you had two children.
Mr.. Nims-Mr. MCurdy lied when he said so; and
] will tell him when l see him.
Mr. Aloxsnae Stuart, Of the firm of R. L. A. Stuart,
the sugar refners, next sworn--He stated that
person called some time since on his brother about the
widening Rsade street. and offered for
report sdve1e to the widening Of the street, this bro
Their absent from the city and could appear be-
in which was stated the fact that 81 600 would buy re-
port adverse to the measure; he saw that note.
q. Did you the signature? A. did not notice ii
particularly the name, think, was something like
Minis; the letter was burned.
is Dressnt ponps to Nim9 but cannot be- positive that
the person pointed him have seen him in the City
asrary At meetings o. the street COMMITTEES there
men, member OF the Common Council, he added
called himself brother in reference to the widen
Mr. p Willis Tate was next sworn and testified a. fol-
lowsI live Thirty fourth street. my business ID that
Reade street; gentleman called at my house. and
asked what my views were to the widening of
Resde street; told the gentleman opposed 10 the
measure this person again in the chamber of the
Board OF Counolmen, and renewed the subject of
previous interview; he said the matter could killed
the only thing necessary Was money.
Q. What Was this persons nameS A. Augustus Wood.
q. What L. his business9 A. He is . land agent;
saw him before he called on me- have seen him
In the Councilmen chamber frequently.
Q. Did he any that 1t would cost 70 kill the
A. Yes 600; said did not wish to kill it
In any su:h way.
Q. Can you describe the maa A. should think he
was about middle aged; can't say whether he
whiskers not, and describe the color Of his
hair, though my impression is that It Is light; could
tell him were to meet him again.
q. Did any member Of the Committee Streets Of the
Board of Councilmen call you make any pro-
position the widening Of Reade street A. No.
The Chairman inquired there any person present
who knew this Mr. Augustus Woodp
There response. The names Of several other
Witnesses to be examined here Called but they
absent.
Mr. Stewart recalled and asked to testify to the
writing OF the note sent TO his brother alluded to in his