New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-01-01
BROOKLYN'S OFFICIALS.
WILLIAM A. FOWLER INDICTED.


WILLIAM A. FOWLER INDICTED.
III Is ACCUSED OF ExroRTING MONEY FROM THE
PEOPLES GAS COMPANY-Tng UNFINISHED WORK
OF THE NOVEMBER GRAND JURY TAKEN UP BY
THE DECEMBER JURY A CARD FROM MR.
FOWLER
The Grand Jury of the Court of Sessions OF
King. County yesterday presented indictment against
Commissioner william A. Fowler OF the Department cf
City Works for alleged misdemeanOr In uDawfully and
by color Of his Office, extOrng money from the Peoples
CAS- ght Company. THO indictment was accompanied
by presenment by the jury in which 1t was stated that
tho District-AttOrney had laid before tho jurors
matters pertaining 10 tie alleged corrupt payment
Of money by certain corporations TO certain officials,
which had been partially considered by the November
grand Jury. but unfinished for want Of time that
the jurors found sufficient evidence TO satisfy them that
moneys had been paid to certain officials by certain gas
companies. they believed "fOr purposes that were
dscedtablc TO all parties concerned, but That owing
To an astonishing lOss of memory Of the officials con
nected with the gas companies to why or to whom
large paid" they had been unable to Obtain
sufficient evidence ~ justify criminal Indictment eA-
ccpt In nstance that these operations had been so
carefully screened by city officials that difficult to
censuIc specially without involving by ntmatl0n per-
sOns who Should not be suspected.
The prcsentment further stated that the evidence
tended to show that money had been paid by corpora
lions during the present year The indictment against
Sir Fowler rcctcs the fact Of his appointment as Com
missioner Of the Department of City Works and quotes
I'm iu the contract between the City OF Brooklyn and
tho Peoples Gaslght Company. by which that company
agreed To furnish gas for tho street lamps and public
buildings within tho district covered by its pipes, during
tie wear 1874 The indictment then states that on and
after Dec TO- 1874 IT became tho duty OF the Board Of
City Works and Of MIR. Fowler rs one OF It's OH
GERS to certify aud determine from time to time
the amount due 10 the Peoples Gasght Company, ana
that on Dec TO- 1874, Mr. Fowler, mot regarding the
duties o that Office poryertng tho trust repOsed in
him." by threat that he would refuse to certify che
amount due the Peoples Gasligh Company and would
obruct hinder and delay the ccrtication and payment
Of just and lawful ducs OF That Company by virtue OF
its contract with the city, unless his demand was com
Piled with. "willfuIy,, coruptly, unawfully, eX
tor-vey ard by his said office" demanded and
attempted a. induce and compel the Company To pay
~ 900. while no was entitled TO receive no
sum whatever for approving and certifying
its clams. Tho Indictment adds that on
Dee TO- 1s7i Nh Fowler by threats that lac would per
pctrae an injury 10 the Peoples Gasght Company by
Of unlawful and corrupt use OF s position ana
Office Commissioner Of city Works IN manner SINH
lar TO that before alleged. demanded and attempted to
induce and compel that Company to pay $1,000 while no
wac entitled Ia receive sum whatever from that COM
pany Tor any purpose whatever
The indictment Is signed by District Attorney Britton.
After Us pcsrutmcnt Judge Moor tankcd the jurors
for the performance Of their duties, aud formally dis
charged them. Mr. Fowler was Immediately given
notce by the District Attorney of the indictment found
against him. Accompanied 10y bis counsel Con Pryor
and ; d. Morris, he before Judge Nelson in the
city Court aud pleaded not guilty. Judge Nelson re-
qurcd - 900 bail Sir Fowler to await the further
action of the court THIS gwen Immediately, John
r. James real estate agent of No. ls0 Mondguc-st.
being accepted az bondsman.
There was a largo number Of persons present In the
court when tho Grand jury camo In. and much excited
comment was made the result Of IL deliberations
The opinion was expressed that Of the first act, oi
Mayor elect Schroeder coming into Office would be 10
suspend Nj Fowler from hs ,lce ~ Commissioner, on
account " Tie indictment found against Mr. Fowler
immediately after giving bail prepared the following card
Tor publication. which he said contained everything he
Lad 10 SAY in regardtO the indictment.
10 he Public In view Of the indictment this day pre-
scented against me owe H. perhaps 20 my friends ana
tie wuOm nave long resided,
good opinion am HnAiJii5 % r"iIn, 20 hS
,lfr thrm tn4t haNo committed no Ocn-c. ana tJd On
the ial idCt vii appear bcy0n All doubt OF as
puie. WILLIAM ~ iO"Ihh
Dec ~, 1873.
z d. Morris one OF Mr. FOwlcr's counsel, said that tue
Indictment contained a. any sensible man could see, the
evidence u its ow want OF foundation He would not,
however point wherein tho Indictment wa, inSuDi
Client or john T. Parsons said that the indct
ment Of Mr. Fowler had connection with the prosecu-
lon Of the Brooklyn Ring suits, aud would have NO in
nuence upon them.