The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-19
AFFAIRS AT TIE STATE CAPITAL.


RUPrIoN CHARGE-THE HARLEM RAILROAD ETC.
ALBANY, Feb. Is, 1859.
This morning the select committee Of the Senate ins
tinted 10 inquire into charges made by Senator o. B.
Wheeler held their first meeting Mr. Wheeler appeared
bafore them as He stated that member Of the
Senate had undertaken TO induce persuade the Ser
Arms from subp@nang witnesses to appear
fore committee investigating the Albany Bridge ques
tion the Of that Senator was not divulgcd
and when 1t is that satisfactory explanation
may be made to the matter II is scarcely possible that
any member Of the Legislature will to resort any
measure TO thwart the committee while endeAvoring
TO elicit the truth in regard to the charges made
that the bridge law was carried through the
Legislature through the corrupt influence of money For
the honor Of the Legislature hoped that such trans
action can befastened member The testimony OF
the Sergeant this point looked for with
interest Tho Information was also impaired TO the select
committee this morning TIA, william D MURPHY Of this
being sthe particular friend Of his who refused large
sum Of money rendered By l0,Sby%sn to induce him
matters" Mr.. Murphy s highly intelligent and worthy
resident Of the city Of Albany and is the author Of Gle
Of the members of the legislature The interesting
inquiry outside is, who is the distinguished polcana
member Of the Legislature Of S58-who received IS 900
as consideration for his vote in favor of the Albany
bridget Let have his name though "the sky falls
We give abstract Of Senator Vince ers testimony be-
fore LOveand's committee this morning
SENATOR wHEEEIERs TESTIMONY.
question. Have you been informed by the Sergeantat
Arms that member Of the Legislature had attempted
exercise improper influence him in order prevent
the investigation before the Committee Public Build
O What was that niormaonP A. Iasked the Sergeant
Alarms II the subp9nas for the Standing Committee
once think The Sd of October, about that
time he said he believed they were printed he would
attend 10 it, told him the committee wanted the sub
penas and couldn't watt he manifested much uneasness;
said he would sir, if he could find them; said you
uneasy is there anything wrongS he replied you
not question me- did question him; said why don't
you give the subpGnas they printed he again
said %Ss not ask me any Z, sa % then SAID
and by; told him to give me the subpnnas should
have 70 report him to the Senate he then said he would
let me have copy If would not lot any IL,
and if would take it with me out Of the room.
This conversation occurred the Office Of tho Sergeant
ut Arms Iaskcd why he pursued this very singular COURSE
and under whose instructions he acting; be said
Of the Senator's told him called for the subpGnas that
he must not let me have them asked him TO tell the
name Of the Senator and he said you press for
the name in consideration Of favors cannot give you
the name Of the Senator asked him the Senator to
tered ino he urged me to ask him no moro questions,
and said that seemed determined to press him until
got the name from him. told him that my object;
he said would press him no further should have the
subpenas when wanted them he again urged me not to
mention the subject and said he very sorry that he
did not hand me the subpenas without saying word.
O. Who WAS this friend 10 whom you referred to whom
You supposed large sum Of money had been indirectly
abstain from further action In this mater9 A. Wm D.
Murphy, Clerk Of the Standing Committee on Public
Q. what was the information he communicated to you
In regard to that subect9 think the full information
that member Of this Legislature had indirectly offered
him large sum Of money as an inducement for him to
was referred TO the Standing COMMITTEES On Pubic
Buildings
%; Did he name the member Of the LEGISLATURE A.
Q; Did he name the sum Of money that was onsreds
Q. bid he state who had directly communicated with
him on the subjectP A. No, sir.
O. Did you make the inquiry who the individual was, or
che amount of money oferedS A. did.
O. What was his answer A. His was that from
present appearances he thought the offer would be in
Standing Committee required it, in this connection de-
sire also 70 state that had requested Mr. Murphy,
what Information he could on the subject
Has he at any time since given the name or the sum?
O. State the name Of the friend to whom prominent
lobbyman had offered large sums of money to his
influence 70 induce you to suppress the Investigation Of
ing commistee on Public Bindings sly : ''' ~
O. Did be mention the name Of that lobbyman? A. No,
sir.
O. Did you inquire for his namea A. Yes, sir.
O. What was the rcsponsef A. If you want the name
he would prefer give the before the committee,
witness had stated TO him that would want him
q Has he since communicated to you the OF that
lobbymans A. No, sir.
MI Wss with
nation, stated that he appeared as his counsel in this
O. Did Mr. Murphy name the sum or sums Of money
that the lobby offered 10 him9 A. am not positive;
think as high thousand dollars, but am not posi-
.. BY Mr. MuIphy-when Mr.. Murphy told you that
he did not like to give the name then Of the obbyman
because he thought the Of money might be increased
did he say what his object was in wishing to have the
amount increased A. DO not distinctly recolect he
stated something about what his object was but do not
distinctly recollect the statement.
Q. By Mr.. Murphy-Did he tell you that was his OBJ.
ject in connection with the Offer 70 introduce the fact Of
ings evidence in the investigation then going on2 A.
have so stated already.
meet on Thursday, Oath inst, at 10 A. M.
The Harlem Railroad bill encounters determined oppos
ton the committee Of the House. Several Of the New
York members arc determined not 70 allow the Of
steam down to Forty second street longer than twelve
sns ssve ~ eas sana n ne
Gen. Sanford.
Governor King is not yet authorized to draw upon the
Manhattan Bank the twenty thousand dollars which
he alleges paid to the Quarantine army Of occupa
fon The House disagreed TO the section stricken out by
the Senate viz That the payment Of this money by the
State shall not be considered releasing the county Of
Richmond from its ultimate reimbursement" confe
houses.
More investigation ahead. II has leaked out that the
enormous Of eleven thousand dollars paid for
Cred Books ordered by the Legislature The Comptroller
requested TO inform the Senate upon whose warrants
that expended. seems that books ordered
by the Secretary State Zone copy for each member Of
the Legsature) and the remainder by the Clerk of the
Senate and the late Clerk Of the House II Is stated that
each member and officer, onehalf In extra gilt at two
dollars copy. Wait for the Comptroler's report next
week.
Both houses adjourned to-day until Wednesday evening"
which means Thursday morning, the oath instant. Mr.
Conking desired TO ourn till the first OF March, What's
the matter with the CHANCELLOR He cannot expect to
adjourn until he unros his financial "budget.n
Letter WRITER'S reporters and newspaper correspondents
frequently "hauled over the coas by members on
account Of alleged errors This morning Mr. Morris stated
nsed the New York as in RELATION p his pon
the Registry bill Mr.. N. reported saying that
he opposed 10 any Registry law This he denies
ho ha
bill under consideration Mr. Morris also denies that the
republican party committed its slf In favor this BILL
and he quoted the resolution Of the State Convention In
support Of his statement In conclusion Mr.. Norris
marked thus
said the bill In question did not the requirement.
and offered substitute The resolution does allude
TO q, or any Registry law defines nothngit embodles
truism No man with construe opposition 10
the bill In question nfraction upon the resolution.
The assumption Of the Tribune borders closely upon the