The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-11
Brisk Skirmshing Over Rapid Transit
in the Assembly.


Buffalo was ordered to third reading Mr. Lang
ben moved to suspend Rule rs, as to advance his
EXCISE bill Not receiving sixty-ve votes the motion
was lost-59 to 48-temperance men opposing IT. Mr..
Nachmann gave notice that he would move TO suspend
the rule again for the same reason at future day.
The bill in relation 10 coroncrs Senate bill No 82
considered in Committee OF the Whole, and after a
lively discussion progress was reported and an effort
made TO send 1t to third reading without further de-
bate, but It was beaten by the application OF
tho party break. Mr.. STEMS capitol bill was
ordered to a third reading Mcssrs. Alvord,
Ecclesine and Purdy made quito witty speeches upon
IL. An effort was made TO advance Hayes "Anti-
Rapo Transit BILL but Mr. Strahan not successful
Notice was given Of motion for suspension OF Rule
IS for tho purpose Of advancing 1t. but it was ruled
ont Of order this not beng in tho order OF business
under which 1t could properly be made.
Several unimpor,ant bills reported by tho COM
mittees the most important being probably that of
Senator Gerard in regard to the sanitary inspection Of
by the Committee on Cities. Nj. Cowdin introduced
bill providing that no rapid transit road shall DO ran
through the district in New York city bounded by
Broadway and East River, Fulton street ana South
street,
In the senate Mr. Carpenter, from the Special Com
mttee on the Woodn Investigation made report
saying scope and phrascoogy thereof was
CURED in by every member OF the committee.
THE COMMITTEE.
The following Is tho report OF the committee
To THE SENATE-The testimony taken by tho CON-
mitee and also record Of the proceedings hereto
annexed as part OF this report
As preliminary 10 the statement OF their conclu-
sions the committee deem proper briefly 10 refer
certain portions OF the testimony. The charges to
which the investigation directed wero published
BY those who positively disclaimed all knowledge OF
their truth. that OF the time OF the committee
has heen occupied IN attempting 10 trace simply rumor
10 an authentic the hope that author of
the charges would either retract them or furnish
facts or circumstances tending to substantiae
them.
The first witness whom the committee proceeded 20
no evidence eciied In support OF the alleged
charges The most remarkable feature OF his exam
neither his refusal nor his testimony impressed
committee with the conviction that he Is able TO fur
n'sh any evidence to establish the charges against
Senator woodin. As to his purported statement pub
llshcd in the New York World OF the 18th Of April, he
said rherc might be few facts In H. but the most of
IL is 1ctionn And IN this connection reference may
be made TO Senate document No 81 oil the year 1872
1t there appears That the following question was put
him as a witness upon another investigation In which
the manner OF the passage OF the Tweed charter be-
apo understand you to say that you did not know
oil any influence being brought. to bear upon republican
SenatorsY HIS answer was:-0niy through their advo.
cacy OF the passage OF the Election Registry law"
OF THE TESTIMONY.
Hugh J. Hastings testines that In 1870 he received
from Tweed check for 81 600 IN business transac-
tion of which he gives the particulars and which
in no manner connected with legislation From his
testimony and that OF jenkins Van Setback appears
to Mr.. Woodln.
1t appears from tho testimony OF ex-senator Wins
low, which Is cOrroboraed by other evidence, that
the statement which connects him with Mr.. Tweed
any pecunary transaction Is entirely untrue and no
TO show that Mr. woodln the recipient OF any
money from or through Mr. Tweed or Mr. Wnsow tor
either proper or improper purpose
Here the committee might have been JUSTIFIED In
closing the Investigation and in reporting their con-
cusion that the charges referred TO in the resolution
under which they wero appointed hai IN no particular
been sustained; but your committee acting upon
what they deemed be the spirit instead OF combining
letter OF their Instructions extended
the scope OF their inquiry cndcavored 10 ascertain
whether upon any measure Mr.. Woodin had been In
fucnced bv any pccun,ory or valuable ration
in giving or withholding his vote, or whether
there probable cause Tor scspectng such
improper influence The committee therefore, caused
to be suppGncd not only newspaper editors who had
published rumors rejecting upon Mr. Woodin, but also
their supposed iniormans and those who III the heat
might construed into accusations against his oii-
caI Not one OF them, however, furnished to
| your committee n TACT or circumstance tcnunB 10
rmE ATTORNEY GENERALS STATEMENT.
| The Attorney General vas subpnnaed 10 produce the
statement which was alleged 10 have been furnished
20 him by Tweed's counsel He declined 10 produce
| II, stating that It was not evidences; that It was
entirely improper ITO make any use oil II whatever,
except upon giving certain stpulatons to Tweed, an
that the public interests required that should not
would like anything which would give any clcw to the
subject OF inquiry he replied:--
II can't give you any clew to tho subject OF inquiry
hcre whatever, for know nothing,
II appears by the testimony OF Mr. Tweed MS
counsel and the Attorney General that MT Twecd's
statement placed the hands Of ofcer, under
restrictions that prccudcd him from disclosing It's
| contents TO the committee without giving certain i'm
THE TWEED CHARTER.
There is evidence tending to show that large sum
OF money was raised In New York and sent to MT.
| Tweed Albany during the session OF 1870.
How the money was used does not appear, but there
IL evidence 10 show that large Aums were
expended by Tweed among his friends and rctaners IN
Albany There no evidence that any part OF II was
received By Senator Woodin, directly or indirectly IL
appears that II was determined by republican caucus
10 support The Tweed charter aud Its support by Mr.
Woodn and his political associates IN the Senate was
induced by arrangement in that body Tor the smul-
tancous passage OF stringent election law for the city
New York, aud or tho retention nj olnce OF certain
| persons holding positions under the state government
as by the support given to mat charter by leading
| newspapers and by the Citizens Reform Association
OF New York. That there was an UNDERSTANDING by
which republican Senators TO vote for tho charter
In alteration OF the passage OF the Election law Is
shown by tho testimony OF leading Senators OF 1870
| and others familiar with legislation during that ses-
SION II also appears that only two votes one oil each
party we're against tho charter in the Senate, and
Tic belief existed among Senators that II
provement lhe law then IN force Tor local govern
| mcnt oil tho city Of New YORK.
| rwEEp's R.rAlNgas suBPGSAED
but the committee extended their inquiries still
| further Many witnesses within reach OF process,
VINO were supposed to have had confidential relations
with Mr.. Tweed 1870 or after That lime, rs clerks
secretaries, financial or discussing agents, or social
| companions were subpnnaei aud gave testimony.
None Of these gentlemen furnished any ct or circum
| stance tending In any manner 10 impugn senator
Woodin's official integrity. some OF thom who spent
large portion OF the OF 1870 Ia Albany did not
know him by sight Mr.. Calkins, the clerk OF tht
Senate during that session, tcstcs that he heard ne
rumor TACT affecting the reputation of Mr.. Woodlr
during the session; nor Is .here any evidence INA
session had closed
SENATOR woopry' TESTIMONY.
Senator Woodn also called as a witness, ant
made candid. unrcs@r.AA statemant Of tho charge