The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-02
THE HARBOR MASTERS INVESTIGATION.

Conclusion Of the Investigation Before the
Captain of tho Fort.
The investigation in the case OF Captain Hart, the
Harb0r Master, before the Captain Of the Port Z.
Jones, was concluded yesterday by the summing up
OF the evidence by counsel. The Investigation has
been in progress now, of and on, for nearly TWO
MONTHS and the evidence taken 10 very voluminOus.
The main charge against Captain Hart Is that he
received BRIDE OF $500 from Mr.. Knapp for allow
Ing the latter facilities at the docks at which he
transacted business. Otner charges were also pre-
ferred. such allowing -four and fish to too
long the docks and ordering vessels out Of slips
contrary to law.
counsel lor the accused, Mr.. Davis, argued ct
considerable length that there could not he any
foundation for the charge OF bribery, and in doing
so spoke In the harshest terms against Cushmau
and Newer, the two men who had been most con.
cerned In the whole AFFAIR. These men, he said.
had endeavored to get Captain Hart into their
power and to frlghten him by these charges. After
making charges they wanted to withdraw them,
aud 1t was plain from their evidence that they
wou ll not speak openly and squarely. They
answered just such questions as they liked.
They admitted thas neither directly nor Indirectly
had Captain Hart ever asked them TO take for him
one person more than another, and they never
knew OF him TO have ever taken money In c0nnec'
had got from Knapp and that money which had
como through Newer, was, AS had been proved, re-
tnraed. Men who contra9icted themselves under
dence and their testimony should not be allowed to
weigh against the character OF Captain Hart whose
reputation had hitherto been sustained. As for
that It was removed as e soon as CAPTAIN
but he tcounscD admitted that the -four mad lain on
tine pier several days. He denied that Captain Hart
slips. Captain Hart knew tnat men In charge OF
the slips had been taking brides to give choice
the vesse in Question had Tot berth in Violation Of
the rules IL was his duty to order her ont. The fact
a NO d nsd 80 s Sa4 e sup
do with the NATTER for another vessel might at any
Counsel Tor merchants. Mr. Benedict in a long
the the Seslsnins he could still sustain. with the
bribery or Captain Hart he nad most to do, and he
fully proved. Mr.. Knapp mad been suffering great
Inconvenience In his business In consequence OF dc.
Hart with view to secure q redress. The Captain
pleasant plea wit, hi ni% ali would be right Newer sos
300 from Knapp, which he handed over to Hart,
which he also gave 10 Hart Il was admitted that
Hart had received both these sums OF money. Now
supposed that the money was given or received
for any other purpose than to facilitate Mr. Knapps
90 ala hS %S
things openly; q man would not come up to another
~ want to e Tns,.y G1 here y hundred
| between,D aud this man Newer was the ego
between In this case As to the returning Of The
money, 1t was strange that three months had
elapsed before the money was returned. Counsel
| then proceeded TO combat the arguments used BY
| counsel for the accused In regard to the other
charges, denying for the most part the assertions
mace by the latter
During Mr. Benedicrs address Mr. DAVIS offered to
allow the Captain OF the Port Mr.. Benedict to ask
| the accused any questions they pleased. Mr. Bene.
case again for testimony, but ne declined, FOR his
own part accepting the proposition, as he felt con-
| ndent he had proved the charge OF bribery.
After both counsel had concluded they had dis
| cussiOn a. to when the addresses should come be.
| fore the Governor. They are each bound TO have
| time, Mr.. Benedict insisting that ne should have
| 'the last word,o while Mr.. Davis wanted TO see mis-
| opponents criticism. Governor Hoffman Is 10 de-
! eide low counsel are to act on this point