The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-06
The Lobby Investigation.


and New Utrecht fisheries we're passed
The Lobby Investigation.
Mr.. Ames, from the standing Committee on Public
Buildings, whom referred so much OF the Cover
ors message relates the lobby, submitted the fol-
lowing report
On Saturday the 9Th of February last subpnnas were
issued by the chairman of the committee reurnabe at
NJ the sth day of that MONTH and served Nessrs
G. c. Davidson ana Erastus Corning Jr the hour de-
sgnated in the subpoena quorum appeared and an adj
ournment took place to the following day at the same
hour. Or that day quorum appearing, further ad
tournament took place ill Feb. 10, NJ On the 10th
no quorum appearing, another adjournment had TO
the llth of February at r. NJ. On that day the com
mistee met and having ereed the form oath to
be administered TO Witnesses, proceeded to business.
MIR. Corning, Jr, was called, and testified, in sub.
stance that be resided III Albany in 1885, and that had
no knowledge that any money or the promise Of any
ney or any other consideration of kind, had been
expended or maze to any member of the Le
ing the passage of the law authorizing the
construction Of a bridge across the Hudson river at
Albany; that he had kno Wedge that any money had
been paid expended by any person effect the pas
sage Of that law that any undue influence had been
ueo or exercised by any or to that
object AT the conclusion Of M Cornngs testimony an
adjournment took place until tho l4h of February on
which day M, Frok, of the city Of Albany, called
ana sworn Ny the Chairman as witness, aud testified in
substance that in October, 1857, he had conversation
with member of the Legislature of that year. in a law
Oilce at White PlaDs, the WestcheScr
lation TO passage of the law before referred to- in
which that member stated to him that he hadn't got all
the money that was promised to him for voting for that
law. The witness stated that he would be positive
that be said was for voting for for using his influence
in favor of that law.
At this time Mr. Frnk didn't give the name of the men,
Der. HIS further examination suspended the
time, ana the committee adjourned to ten O'Clock the
next day, being the 10th day Of February. On that
day O quorum OF the committee met, aud after
passing resolution and advising further subpenas
to be issued, adjourned to the l6tn OF February.
On that day the committee again met and after the ado
ton OF certain motions an adjournment took place until
the next day. On the 17h the committee again met
on motion of Senator Dougherg proceeded obusness and
discussed various motions that made. This meeting
was wholly occupied with the discussion Of various mo-
tons and outoos. An adjournment then took place
until the 23d of February Ga that day another meeting
was had, and after the adoption resolution motion
OF Senator Doughery that compulsory be issued
24th OF February the committee again convened and pro-
Ceedcd to the Sergeant at Arms to the
in which he had served the subpnas that had been issued
for MessTs Randall Davidson and Harcourt This
ing occupied with the examination Of the Sergeant
Arms and in the discussion Of various propositions.
On the 25th OF February the committee again assembled
and proceeded TO examine VIM Richardson the Clerk Of
the Assembly The evidence of this witness shows that
he knew nothing whatever bearing upon the subject under
consideration. c. D. Brigham next sworn, and il ap
peared that be opposed 10 the passage of the Bridge
BILL and did not know that money had been expended
or used by any person or wbomsoever either to
to defeat the passage Of that law that any
undue or improper influence had been used by upon
any member Of the Legislature to influence their action
Tho bill.
On Goth OF February the committee concluded the
examination oil Mr. Brigham, and adjourned to the 25th
On that day the committee again assembled and
amined Mr.. Cagger, who had been summoned by the
Chairman as q witness. The examination of this witness
threw no light whatever on the subject before the
ntee and at Its conclusion an adjournment took place
until the LIST Of March.
On that day quorum of the committee did not appear
and further adjournment had to the I'd of March.
On that day Mr.. Wheeler, the Chairman of the Com
mtee the other members being absent proceeded
anime H. j. Irving Esq, of the city of the New York. who
Legislature
1885, but in 1857 that he had nowledge that any
money or negotiable securities, or any consideration of
any Character had been used employed either
or defeat the passage Of the Bridge BILL that he had
been offered anything to vote for the amendment-the
Bridge bill was passed in 1857 that he had heard A. j.
H. Duganle member Of the Legislature Of 1855,
he had been approached that subject and offered
Indignantly refused it, proper to state here that Mr.
Dussnne made the same staement TO the Assembly Of
1856 IA his place on the floor Of the House. AT the meet
Chairman of the Committee, and testified that g. Suth
erand of White Plans the county of westchsster was
the member Of the Legislature to whom he referred In his
previous examination.
His further examination suspended until Mr. Suth-
eand could be notified of the character Of this evidence
Autograph despatch was received from Mr. Sutherland
on the Sd inst pronouncng the of Mr. Frnk TO
be false and saying that he would be n attendance before
The committee on the 4h inst. G. AMEj.
REPORT OF SENATOR WHEELER.
Senator B. Wheeler on his part presented the fol.
loving report
SENATE CHAMBER, March 4, 1859.
The Committee Public Buildings, to whom was re-
Serred much of the Governors as relates TO
the lobby with power - send for persons and papers,
submits the following report Of the progress that the
mee has ade in discharge OF the duties imposed upon
IT by the SepaeIn submitting apartal report Of their
labo-s the committee obey mandate OF the Senate (c
bodied in resolution passed yesterday and not their
own sense &C right Since tue committee charged
with the duty of investigation into the corruption alleged
30 BE prevalent in the legislative halls by thu Governor Of
the State there have been several meetings heG. 1t has
frequently occurred that member OF tho comn,tce
has been deferred from acting With the committee from
pressure Of other business while another has bee0 absent
h indisposton Those repeated absences have greaty
- ed the committee IA pursuing the nvestr ,tlt which
~ an am 'ueut degree demands the hearty CO operation OF
oycrv Yer Of the commee. Upon the irs organiya
lion of The cor mttec was determned--the senate
nv resolution hay,ng restricted the inquiry to the
,,seoags nj a single n,s-to select the passage of
the Albany Bridge bin the subject Of investigation.
In accordance with such determination, subpGnas were
issued the attendance OF Nathan Randall, Gilbert G.
Davidson and Ernstus Corning witnesses These gen.
tcmen appeared In person. and by COUNSEL through whom
they nterposed proes, TO the power of the COMMITTEE,
40 compel their attendance Witnesses Ono OF the
bers Of the committee entertaining doubts rs TO the
power of the committee to investigate the passage of any
bill which should have been enacted anterior 1853, IL
was determined take the OF the Senate upon the
objections raised by the counsel Cor the witnesses The
Senate having confirmed the choice made by the commit
tee Of the subject CT the inquiry subpmnas were again
issued for Mcssrs. Randall Davidson and Corning In
obedience to the SERVICE the latter gentleman appeared
and waa examined The Sergeant at Arms has been
BILE 10 serve upon Messrs. Randall and David
son because OF their absence is understood that Mr.
Randall lett the State, but the committee have
to believe that Mr. Davidson yet within the jurisdiction
OF State he having been repeatedly the streets
of New York within the past week. Though the oil
Ger Of the Senate has thus far failed TO perform his
duty II Ia hoped that the service will soon DO per.
formed Subpmnas also issued and served
tor the attendance Of W. Richardson, @. u.
Brigham, J. W. Harcourt and Chauncy Hbbard.
Mr. Hibbard has loft this country for Havana without
obevlnp the summons Of the committee, and Is now be-
You'd the jurisdiction of the State Meesrs. Richardson
and Brigham appeared before the committee aud answer
ed OF the questions put TO them but many they re
fused answer Mr. Nafcourt appeared and refused 10
rrned and. appearing, tcetiled 10 conversation had
VIII member Of The legislature Of 1851 In the course