The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-25
HUsTED'S GRAVEL DOMAIN.

dUSIEUO 6hAvE I'll UUMAlN.
~~~~~~~-~~>~~~~>~~-~~~
Tho Close of the Legislative Committee
Utter Failure TO Show any Corrupt Prac-
tees Husteds Part.
Messrs. Alvord, Marcy and Pell, OF the Legsla-
tive Committee on Ways and Means. reassembled
the ST. Nicholas Hotel yesterday. to inquire into
the charges against Assemblyman James w. Hustled
In connection with the supply Of gravel to the city
OF New York. After waiting nearly an hour for Mr.
Hustled the first witness was called.
Judge Henry Hilton. sworn ito Mr.. Husted)-l read
the report OF your speech when you rose to the
question Of privilege and it was true 30 far as I
know.
To Mr.. Alvord-l never purchased or agreed upon
the price OF gravel while in the Park Commission;
the contracts were made through the C0mptroller's
Ofice they had been long using gravel from Roger
Hook Bank; the Engineer -in-chief and Park super.
ntendent believed 1t essential TO have this gravel;
1t was had on acquisitions for specified amounts
from the chiefs Of bureaus, treasurer, before I'LL
Ing The order or the President approved the ORDER
his purchasing clerk; they were not limited in get
ting 1t from any one who could furnish it,
stooa me Royer Hook Bank had been secured
by COMPANY, was informed Of the price they put
purchasing; wnen informed Of the price my usual
answer would be. ..If we can't do any better sup.
we can find some one VINO will sell an equal quality
orless Nor about year previous to retirement
a To
seen many persons claiming 70 own such and mad
al cases MS Ss0l' report sniavOraDle
aware Of ali my efforts In TINS direction. and we
combined Tor the purpose OF securing a cheaper
there never was any contract. corrupt Otherwise
with Mr.. Hustled or the PeekskiIl Gravel Company
during rim my Connection with it, except to purchase
TINS peculiar gravel at what understood to be the
or had s
NEW rrs8 Of any r sna n ANY @
to the Department; had two interviews
that he had Q gravel bank winch he sold through
oIher parties; ne declined to do "; the contrary
he informed me his interest laid IN furnishing It
through the PeeksKill or Hudson River Gravel Com.
pany; never spoke to Hustled before this morning
Him, nor attempt to Control Van Mort or Barker In
the purchase Of gravel Of the qualify considered by
have been offered gravel at price less tnan that
paid to the Peekski Gravel Company; nor. do l
proacSns 'i Il IN value or ~ quality FOR park par
poses; no order was given TO discontinue
Frear, as stated in q paper on January 81, signed
by Jesse Ryder; but there was resolution approved
the Board ~ as Il S tRn
pany at market rates. but never regarded this as
ana IN iSl raere was general re %nr
chased OF ANYBODY; Mr. Frear never spoke TO me
about gravel, except once when ne came Tor money;
II Mr. Ryder wrote the letter he must have known
from MS interviews with me that the statements
about the contract being Tammany plumb to
Jesse Ryder sworn-I reside near Sing Sing;
am farmer; wrote that communication. Let
pearea to Be arranged before the new charter was
brought into existence to decide republican vote.
The witness meant Hustled, but had no positive
Rnowledle that Sucn the case, don't Know That
Peter b. Sweeny made the gravel contract Tor the
me So; OF my own knowledge | am not aware
OF corrupt bargain between the off0la a,
vidua III or % with the gravel company, of
| which he was member, connected with the
even IN that letter do say SO; alluded TO the
formaton OF the company In that letter, not to the
81 Ss paes named in the
| OF the company; have never offered TO furnish
them any gravel but know man s7. who took an an
interest in the order except that slatery leased my
carts cart IT. the order was not entirely hlled as
to this gravel winch was taken from verplank's
farm, because 1t was mixed with loan.
| MI. Van Mort was recalled ana testified as TO
deduction made on one cargo received from the
| Peeksklll Gravel Company; wnen the present Board
Srav grave II Mr.. Ryder was sent for and Conference
| was mad between MIN and MI Stebblns about sup
I tSsy Saa second nerview in which paf.ci.
pated, and 1t was agreed that 1000 yards equal In
quality to Rover HOOK gravel, would De delivered az
&2 70 per cubic yard by Ryder; Ryder said he could
not furnish 1t In his own name, as he was debarred
| by an agreement with the Peeksklll Company, but
he could yet IL flleu by James Slattery; witness
| stated that the Hudson River Gravel Company
having offered to furnish 1t at 81 90 per
yard ne sent Tor Ryder; told him he had an offer at
lower price per yard than ne charged ana assured
him the department would sooner take II from him
II he would furnish 1t at the same rate, and he de.
| clined.
10 Mr.. Ryder-I did not tell you that II did not
| give the contract to the Hudson River Company
| would be discharged, but, on the contrary. Ryder
said 1t mad been intlmated to him that II ala not
| give the contract to the company would be re.
| moved from ONCE; said should do my duty, and
| II they discharged me Tor such could stand II
| they could.
Mr.. Ryder, recaled-ADout the last Of July, 1870,
| when Judge Hilton requested me to furnish gravel
| he SAID the gravel company, IN his opinion, were
| made q remark that stirred up the BALD Eagle, ana
| the lie passed between them. Witness, after re-
| peated demands for On answer, admitted tnat ne
| knew oil no corrupt act OF Husteu In ieSHauSo
capacity. . .,ovv n,
time for Judge Hilton to be sent LOT ana 10 sccSv
the attendance OF Mr.. Barker to impeacn ny vs
each witness being sworn naIy con.nua s ~
Ryder, who called MS son Malcolm W n,we s
Hilton. Young Ryder swore p0sitiven III 01", ia.
diction OF part OF Mr. Hilton's testimony, anu .no
| case was closed by consent OF DOM paIuos, nos
| particle of testimony being adduceu 10 SHOW cor
ruption in q tegislAuve capaolI On tue psrs VI