The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-25
An Investigating Committee Look
ing for Bribery.
Queer Testimony from a Lobbyist with
Small Power Of Memory.
CLERKsTIIPs FOR VOTES.
How Assemblyman Belts Kept His Promise to
Ex-senator Norton.



The Senate and Assembly rcasscmblcd this evening,
but transacted bit little business OF importance The
Civil Justices BILL introduced by A. j. Campbell, was,
In the House, referred TO the Committee on General
Laws as IT is said to conflict with bill already passed
the samc subject; and Mr. Strahan's bill relative to
tho claims 1871 for rents repairs and general
work done on armories IN New York city passed,
after being amended that tho Court Of Arbitration Of
the Chamber OF Commerce shall audit the claims, In
stead of the Mayor Comptroller Commissioners Of
Public Works
HUNTING BRIBERY.
The Committee on Privileges and Elections held
meeting to-day to examine parties subpGncd on Satur
day by the Sergeant alarms to what they knew
about the alleged bribery in connection with the de-
feat of the Ogden Brooklyn Charter. Commissioner
William A. Fowler testified that he had spoken to tho
Kings county members about the bill and requested
them TO vote against IL; but he mover said word TO
any other member on the subject He had not he
said. subscribed any money, nor did he know that any
had been subscribed 10 its defeat nor, to his
knowledge, had any member Of tho city government
OF Brooklyn promised any patronage to any men,
Der OF tho Legislature condition that he
vote against tho charter. Commissioner Py-
burn testified that he understood Boss
Mclaughlin had said the Governor would veto
the BILL he did not bother his head much about II
Norton that Mr. Bolts, tho republican Member Of the
Assembly his (Norton's) district had promised to
vote against the bill He knew Ed. Phelps, whom he
had asked TO his influence defeat the bill Com
missioner Rodwc said he was not acquainted with
Phelps nor did no know personally those republican
members who had opposed the measure. He had not
directly or indirectly used any money TO defeat the
BILL nor had he promised 10 give patronage return
for votes OF Assembymcn on the bill
A LOBBYIST WITH A POOR MEMORY
Ed. Phelps, tho obbyis VINO IL Is alleged had been
the manipulation OF tho wires laid to defeat the bill,
wns next examined. Hc acknowledged he has been in
Albany of aud on since tho opening OF the session
looking after city railroad Legislation He was &C
testified that only Pyburn alone had spoken 10 him in
reference TO the bill Pyburn had told him he wanted
the charter killed, and he phelps! said he would
him he. would give him the appointment
Of two three persons OF the Brooklyn city
He did not mako this fact known to any Assembly man.
for he felt certain that II he did hc would be bored
death by members who would want tho places for their
ing OF the BILL nor had he boon promised any return
for his services When questioned as to whcthor he
Hoffman, he failed - '.remenber " He had an ,dea
however he bad said something to Gugcl 'afterr the
bill had been defeated What that something was hc
could remember. His business Albany was con-
nccted with legislation and he had been here for twelve
years looking out for
MATTERS IN WHICH NE WAS INTERESTED.
As to books records of his business he never kept
anything Of the kind that beneath him altogether
members Of tho Legislature often dropped In to
him whom tho cigars and whskcy wcrc handy Though
no remembered he had spoken to several mem
bcrs about the Ogden bill, he could not
recall their names. He snappishly replied to
question put by member OF the
mittcc, rs to whether he always took appointments
TO Office pay for his services at Albany, that II
Of his the members business what he had taken
compensation other instances whore he had been
asked 10 make himself useful He denied that no had
written letter to certain party IN which he had
said $50 900 could defeat the Erie organization bill In
tho Assembly. which had been introduced passed
in the Senate IL am such fool'' said he, ITO do
a thing like that" He remembered he had exchanged
Ogden charter, but did not know what lie had SAID
He acknowledged Norton had informed him that he
tNorton) mad talk with Belts about the bill Phelps
gave his testimony from beginning to end In ippant
way, though he did not consider The investigation
much OF storm after ALL HIS memory was very de-
and when he frequently suggested that
certain questions had nothing TO do with the subject
OF the that no did think the qucs
tions were proper ones
VOTED TO PLEAsR ''MIKE' NORTON
Mr.. Belts when examined, stated that he had prom
sed ex-senator Norton TO vote against tho bill. but
to do II its passage depended on his Tho bill
lacked i've votes OF the necessary vote when his
called and so by voting against the bill he had full
filed pledge he had made with person Of influence
IN hts district.
on Wednesday the committee viii hold another
meeting to take tho testimony Of Bob Furcy, who,
II said, made the custodian OF the funds
alleged have been subscribed kill the bill IL
probable also the statement Will BE- taken the
the House, which directly conflicts with part OF the
statement made by Mr. Watts 70 the committee.