New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-07
sons testified saw Mr. southwoh here after the Legs-

been Clerk of the Assembly in 1868 1870, and 1e did
not during those years receive thing for giving
printing; my impression is Mr.. Manning gave some
thing on two occasions; can't tell how much but think
between $4,000 and $780, II something entirely
expected TO conversation ever passed between
about it there was no understanding about It sup
posed that it for work gave him never received
present from one for stationery fur
nshed the House, looked upon what Manning gave
present; ordered the Clerks Manual Mr. Manning re-
marked to me- think That the price had been I3 sh
ngs, but the Controller had cut 1t down to s2 have
heard rumors that it the habit of Weed, Parsons
Co. to pay the Clerks percentage printing ordered
prior TO 1870 but don't know it, Weed, Parsons Co.
always represented to that they charging the
regular rates.
O. Was this $4,000 received from Mr. Manning the only
compensation or present over received while Clerk,
except your salarvi A. Yes, Sir; except that have
received presents from members Of the House; think
all the different work done last year under my direction
and entered In the supply bill amounted oSl2oO;
rea 9G bsd G adGGu myself S asd y
that made $4,000 received in one year; the $500
with stationery; new feature has arisen within the
last few years; members formerly had their extra
now the Clerk does it, and pays for paper, twinc,
postage. and the express charges; ! have been
Them but have offered to compensate me for 1t,
ana never received any pay for II; Murray 4 Good
nor offered pay me, or anybody for me, anything
what supplies have zen procured Ior Ine Assembly ho
gain with any individual or agent never had any
thing TO do with drawing resolutions for printing
not 80 stupid that could discover that there was
Job the printer in them am human and of course
was anxious to have them defeated never did any
lobbying to get the amount in the supply bill Last year
Ten THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR HIS INFLUENCE, AND TIN
THOUSAND MORE AFTEIwARD
Edward r. Phelps testified L reside in Weschester
County; saw It stated that had left for parts
known and came here voluntarily to testify; am
engaged in horse railroads. for the last eight ten
Npor m Or Albany. i
tended the Legislature in regard to railroad bills have
been interested in; ain a member OF the Third
House," Ihave used my influence in regard TO other
matters; the Trust bill one 1 received $4,000
from John ID. Parsons for advocating hts claim
I got $500 the day after Tie Legislature
in ls7 the next day about the 10th 18th
of May, got 5000 more; never received anything
else from him; attended TO the hill OF Weed Parsons
& Co., and to getting them into the supply bill and
through the Committee met his son, John d. Parsons
jr, and asked HIM who attending TO their business
in the Legislature; he wanted 20 know what meant
and / told him the Supply bill; he said, No one
yet; his father had been sick, and would have
to get somebody TO do it; the reason ]
asked was had heard 1t rumored round that they
had paid quite largely for business done; he invited
me to see his father; called his father few days
afterward and talked with him. and told him would try
to get his bills in the Supply BILL that knew most Of
the Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate
the BUSINESS" there agreement made then 70
pay; / took the bill TO the Committee, and they de-
manded vouchers before they would audit them; took
what he gave ire to the Committee. and aferwaTd
turned Them Mr. Parsons said they had lost by the fire.
and by the printing already done; l sym
pathized With them, as everybody did; his
bills think, amounted to $4,000;
Mr. Jacobs ad Mr. Lituejohn objected, with others,
passing them told Mr. Parsons wanted $4,000; he
thought &C. enough, but he hnaly consented TO
pay me 1000; tod him might not be able to get it
through them but should fix it 30 that they could get 1t
next year: brought more than the usual influence
to bear to getit through told the Committee what
thought Of the bills: spoke about the fire, and said
sympathized with them; the Democrats on the Com
mittee were very much provoked about Tie Journals
conduct and Mr.. Persons told me that Mr. Dawson was
a very independent man, and would not heed him at all
that was all the influence used.
No money was paid to any Of the Committee, either
directly or indirectly gave nobody any Of the money
cot paid some 500 $500 OF it away for little
expenses had been at; didn't consider the amount
got any more than they had paid other people for print
ing; consider it is worth $4,000 to remain in Albany
two or three months don't believe the item for work
destroyed would have been inserted ia the Supply bin
but for me, unless they had got somebody to do
what l did; / know most of the Committee
and talked with them about it Of them remarked to
Inc that they wanted compensation for doing it, don't
think they knew was being paid for what did; thoy
never asked me why was interested In these bills
may have taken a bottle Of wine with them, or been
down supper with Them but that had nothing to do
with the Supply bill; Mr.. Lombard the Clerk Of the
Committee, didn't know that | got paid for
IL; that wasn't the first $4,000 I have been
paid in Albany; 1 don't think Weed, Par
sons d. Co.'S bills were increased at all;
Oh account OF paying the $4,000 can't specify any
case in which Weed, Parsons Co. had paid any for
such work did heard that they in tine habit
of paying the Clerks for work. but didn't know it
eanddy think that the whole amount of their loss
by fire put in then has been paid don't know how the
vote stood the Ways and Means, but the claims
reported it the good Judgment Of the Committee
that put them in the supply bill; that is all got
for printing; thoug did very well for printing;
regard lobbying as a legitimate business
Wm Richardson said he had read In the papers that his
name had been called in question as having been
cerned in taking from the State its ghtfu property and
he desired TO Having been sworn, he testified
was Clerk OF the Assembly in 1857 1859 and $780, and
such for the first twenty days of the session OF
1888 reside in Brooklyn received cent in
money otherwise. for procuring printing during my
term have been repeatedly approached, but never
received any pay percentage, do know anybody
connected with either House who did IL Mr.. Parsons
stated that he paid anything for procuring printing
it was untrue; II put my denial in any stronger
words than these, would wish TO do il.
Adjourned TO Thursday at p.m
TERWILLIGERS COMMISSIONS.
A STARTLING EXHIBIT OF FRAUD AND PRCULA
TION-TERwILLIGER CLEARLY CONVICTED
ROBBERY--WEED. PARSONS AND