The New York herald., 1877-11-02
THE TWEED CONFESSIONAL.
More Evidence on the Charges
Against Hamilton Harris.
THE NEW CAPITOL JOB.
The Aldtrmanic Committee Take the Iestl-
mouy Of Three New Witnesses

Tho mine Of scandal SO vigorously worked ey Tweed
within the past two months seems 10 DO drawing "
close Judging from the duness OF Yesterdays sesa'on
The lates. efforts OF the Aldermanc commi''e0 n"'0
bean directed toward Hamilton Harris who 10 the re-
publican nominee for State Senator IN Aipahy. iS'
tcrday,s deliberations consequently occupied IN
nt,ing the evidence OF ,hrco geatlemen as 10 inc
ae.od frauds IN the building oil the State Capitol at
.he time when Mr. Harris acted in the capacity oi
Commissioner
Mr. william A. Rice, formerly Commissioner OF the
State Capitol in company with Harris, was Inc hrss
witness examined He testified that the smaller con-
tracts were given out by Mr.. Harris and himself, the
larger contracts being gwen out by the Board Inc
xitness detailed the career OF John Bridgeford as
OF the State Capitol The Board never
discharged that gentleman; ho was removed by Mr.
McAipne, engineer OF tho work; Bridgeford was for
seven years acting as superntendenti witness had
never had any CONTROVERSY with Brdgoford; there
was some difficulty between him aud tae Commission
as 10 the purchase or supplies; always found Bridge
ford ready and willing to do what he was directed by
the Commission; no salary was attached 10 the posi-
tion of Comm er; there was, therefore, no lest
mate way by which Commissioner could mako
money out OF the construction VI tns building
:. Il. Sweet, inspector OF material oi the State
Capitol undor the Harris Commission, testified that he
WAS the habit OF delivering memoranda OF material
furnished by contractors 10 Bridge ord the latter said
tnat he required this memoranda ior the purpose Of
and,uv out what the commissions were; he sald they
wero 10 be paid TO Mr. Harris; did not know person
ally OF being paid to anybody the mate
rails were not iurnisheu as far AS he knew, above
market rates.
4 LAWYERS NARRATIVE AND FIGURES.
Mr.. Henry Smith, OF Albany, gave evidence as TO
leg sative Investigations IN the mntor oil the State
CAPITOL when senator Harris one oil the commis-
sioners He recolloctcd conversation which look
place at his residence between Brideeiord himself
aud Harris This conversation was held IN March or
April, 1874
Mr. smith here interposed objection to the
powers OF the committee. The subject Immediately
under investigation did not witnin the supervl-
sion OF the New York municipality. IL belonged par
Lcularly 10 the state.
Mr. Cole contended that the city of New York paid
about opohal the State taxes Ii the State had been
(Aundered this matter Then II the duty OF the
Aldermen make application 10 the Legislature SO as
10 prevent continuance of such illegal practices.
Tweed testified that a corrupt arrangement had
been entered into with Harris. ut which Brldgclord
was present IL seemed proper to get at the bottom
Of these transactions
Alderman Cowlng differed with the majority OF the
committee as TO their power TO 20 INTO the Capitol IN
vestgation II had no connection whatever with the
Ring frauds. Such an examination should be Kept
within bounds. II had political aspect and should
come before that committee IL was improper,
lDjuuicious and unwise
Alderman Lewis, chairman OF the committee, de-
sacd that The subject up properly part OF the
Ring frauds, and lhe examination OF Mr. smith then
proceeded
The interview between Harris, Bridgelord and wit
on before the Finance Committee OF the Senate to
building the State Capitol; could not recall what was
sald 50 As 70 give the exact iangcage was not then
connected with the investigation either as counsel or
otherwise; Bridgeford complained that he was III
uscdthat he had discharged his duty to the best OF
his abity he don't think he ous sht 10 stana IL just
before that he had superseded SUPER
Mr. Harris conveyed the idea that he acquiesccd II
The statement OF Brldgcord-tnat he and Bridgeiorc
were always friends, and tnat tho controversy be
tween them might resuL injury to both; he usket
BrIdgeiord wha. he wanted; Harris asked, ~ ~
a
out oil themr BridgeIord SAID that he merely
wanted TO be reinstated rs superintendent Of th'
rapilo-that II was the pride Of his lie; he did not
want 10 make any m0uey IN this WY; harris re-
marked he was willing to have him restored 10 that
re.atio0s hitherto existing between thsm; the inter
terminated by oon gentlemen apparently scpa-
Tating mutual friends.
ITEMS OF FRAUD
Mr. Cole read senator Harris' Testimony as to
the nature OF this conversation IN which IT was alleged
that Bridgeiord mportunei Tor u contract
Sir. Smith thought that the idea suggested by
Harris and not by Brdgeford The attention OF VIII
ness called TO the contract oi Bangs Il Gay
ner Tor furnishing cement TO the new Capitol In
which iTauu was alleged He narrated the manner of
savertising and awarding the contracts. All these
facts frequently detailed IN tho legislative inves
tfgaIion. Under the evuence then aduuced II would
appear that The state had been swindlod oi the
of s+0 az Sc IN this contract alone. Mr.. Smith
here pointed out III answer TO Mr. Coles questions
other allegations o fraud tho conduct of The Capitol
work, such as carpenter WORK, purchases oi lumber,
white lead, brick aud padocks and plambing The
iem OF granite was The most serious under invesg
tion. The expense in this connection ran up TO
$So5,U0O.
The next contract alluded TO by Mr.. Smith that
maue furnishing of sand, when II appears re.
suited IN loss to the state oi over $50 0OO Another
large expenditure covered III r. SMITHS testimony
that OF brick. Most oil this brick was delivered
Dy Mr. John Murphy, OF this city. 1t was alleged mat
the prices paid were grossly excessive. lie
made by witness at the tmc showed loss to the
State OF $77, 100 81 John Bridgeford active in
inior nation against this system during
uno of the investigation; Harris resigned while the
investigation was going on; convcrsed with him on
the subject OF the propriety OF rcsignng; ~ was
. course. Mr. smith concluded his testimony by
stating that considered about and hal million
dollars haa been unnecessarily expended IN the
tiop of The Capitol
Mr. Cole-Dld the legislative invest cation develop
absolute fraud
Mr. smith answered by stating that he thought ther,
must have been iraua serious mis- axes There
cheating In materials, measurement and In othe
ways
Mr. George 5. Miller appeared on behalf OF Senator
HarrIs and requested to KNOW the names OF othc
witnesses about DO called TO support brdgeord
allegations lie considered IL unfair that an oppor
tuny gwen 10 Mr.. Harris 10 contradict tncs
false assertions on the eve OF an election
Mr.. Cole SAID that Nc would produce ). T. Duvcn
port others. Davenp porI had been subpGnaed, bu
did not put IN appearance. He would apply ~ th
Supreme Court Tor attachment in his case
committee adjourned TO eleven O'Clock on Saturda,