New-York tribune., 1876-04-21
,yvesrIeATING CHARGES OF BRIBERY.


,,vqsr1aATING CHARGES OF BRIBERY.
am v.7Ts CALLS FOR CoMMlrTEE-IHE fouh
OTHERS CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION NOT
nnrsv,r-REsoLUTIoN THAT THE INVESTIGATION
EXTEND To THEM.
,o,, 1ur nrGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIDUSh'l
ArpANY. April 20.-When the House came
thor this morning the sole object OF conversation
ono members was tho detection Of the five Republl-
- ON tho Brooklyn charter-Messrs Betts, Gngei
gallagher Hoffman, and Wstts-and the charges OF cor
~ freely made by leading Republicans, and reported
A. tho Ntw.York papers. 1t was not supposed that
oDv investigation would be called for, lnasmuch rs
nan Of this kind seldom take the trouble 10
shrrl haek" any charges against ther characters rs
,slstors Their safety lies IN silence MI watts now
aTer was finally persuaded by some OF tho Republicans
60 rise 70 a question Of privilege and denounce the
Scas as falso 1t needed apparently considerable
~ N hiring this about, and it was noticed Win con-
s.Ss-abls amusement that though Mr.. Watts said be
bop,d Ike an investigation he neglected to offer mo-
,on providing fer the appointment OF committee luis
,oryetfuness was remedied by Mr. ForSters watchiui
, WIN drew resolution himself aud offered 1t to MI
Watts who thereupon presented It, hr' "attss IAN
ra0e In rising TO question OF privilege was as foo"s
NJ SPEAKER: see by this mornings papers an accu-
sation AGAINST me respect 10 receiving DiD III Ie
ton to the Brooklyn charter Di yes,e&nIg & inr ine
And hlrther would ike an lnNesusathS coiin,oo NC,
appointed by this House TO investigate my carer M ~ @ tS
1ssenhy have tired TO stand as wen auu 10 NY luly
o. well as could do 1t. defy anything III tnai pal-
tcuar as far my character Is concerned Soola! "
politically.
when Mr. Watts offered his resolution subsequently.
instructpg the Committee Privileges aud Elections to
investigate the affair and report their conclusions ~ e
House Mr. Hamilton Fish, tr, Of Putnam rose promptly
and said: Whereas the allegations Whlch nave Deeh
made in the various papers have not only becn 'haoe
against Mr. Watts but also against several members OF
~ .,1,ar a1u la nc III
this resolution; that is say IL those gentlemen desire
an Investigation The reference to Messrs Gallagher
Belts Gugel and Hoffman excited considerable merri-
mept when was that none OF these gentlemen were
IN their seats, aud certainly did not seem " DO
yearnirg for an investigation. Mr.. Watts said ID reply
"As far as concerned had rather have TINS aegt
ton by itself As far as the other gentlemen
nre concerned that Is their own business-for my self,
AM anxious to save my own character" Mr. Fish said
further: do not insist upon my amendment l only
snnposd that these gentlemen who have these serious
charges made against them, and which have In the
opinOn Of many solid foundation would desire an
investigation. think that for themselves they should
demand It, However, If they do not demand it do not
mean to press it,"
Mr. Falon here stated that Mr.. Belts, who had been
present in the House almost all the morning. had
received the night beore intelligence OF the death Of his
wifes mother and had gone to Boston. To this Mr. Fish
teoned Seeing that some OF these gentlemen arc Ia
the chamber or have been in the chamber since the mo
ton was made by my friend Mr. Watts, shall withdraw
my amendment. and leave 1t for the reflection Of this
House what they ore guilty Of" Mr. Wattss resolution
was adopted, and subsequently Mr. FISH, who was evil
deny determined to force investigation Of the con
dae Of the four remaining rccacitrants Dotwithsani
Ing their evident desire avoid it, offered the following
which WAS adopted:
Resclred That the Committee on Privileges and
Elections OF this House be instructed TO investigate the
To Ia
day by Mr. Watts OF NewYOrk, and 10 inquire especially
10 whether improper means or influences were used 70
procure the defeat Of Assembly bill No. 49, ana as 10
Whether any mber OF this House or other person has
been guilty OF conduct 10 respect 70 said bill which re
grcs the fursher action OF this House. and TO report
their conclusions thereon and tat said Committee nave
power to send for persons and papers.
Nr Fsbs bold stand In the House on this matter made
the naetion OF the othor members whose motives have
been generally questioned all the scedit-
sbs and there was dlmlnuon either in tho vgor or
10 the number Of the Republican assertions that these
mons votes had been improperly influenced
Mr. Watts processes to b anxious 70 have the CORE
spondens OF those New-York papers called which gave
publicity TO the charges but the Committee have not
reached any decision the matter. The Committee ad
iourned to meet Monday at 10 after issuing sub
penas for witnesses in New-YoIk. Meanwhile Messrs.
Gallagher, Gucel Hoffman Belts keep much out
OF the way as possible AID have more the air OF
who hope hcy Will not be found than OF upright legs
iatoIs Speaker Hustled is quoted expressing the
opinion that it will hardly DE possible pass any party
after detection like this. The rumOr was
In circulation tonight that attempt might be made to
suspend the rules by giving days notice. and
slider tie vote. This could be done by majority vote
Mr. Ogden says, however that no action OF the kind
contemplated. The Republicans who have deserted
their party this question could OF course change
their votes with consistency.
THE HEALTH OFFICER.