New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-18
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
A CHARGE RETRACTED.


ADMISSION by ALDERMAN sAUER THAT HIS ACCUSE
TON AGAINST ALDERMAN HAUGHToN WAS
WITHOUT FOUNDATION.
The Aldermen's Committee, appointed to invesu-
gate the charges against Alderman Haughton, met
yesterday. Alderman Sauer, who made the charges
IN the Board of Aldermen when the Rapid IrshslV
COMMISSIONER report was under consideranon'was
the first witness sworn. He said he preferred 10
make state ment first and be sworn afterward but
had no objection to being sworn. desire TO state
before this committee" SAID the witness, that
when made an assertion that Alderman Haughtoh
was governed BY consideration and that had
the proof in my possession or in my pocket that
did so in amomento excitement when suffering I'M
der what considered an insult When the subject
was referred to the Committee Streets. an agree
ment was made by the members of the committee.
as supposed whereby it would not meet until the
latter part of August to consider the subject in Or
der that all interested persons might be heard.
went out of the city, understanding that to be the
agreement i returned on Monday night and on
the next morning. before the meeting of the Board
10 nv establishment, heard that the subject was TO
be called II and the committee was TO be discharged
on that day. heard that such an agreemen' had
been reached at a caucus held in the Mon .ment
HouSe on that morning. / was not informed by the
other two members of the committee of any such ln-
tenton and when Alderman HaughtOn moved
snch a way, conceived myself TO have been grossly
;nsnted. never knew Of an instance, during my
connection with the Board, where committee has
been discharged under similar circumstances was
naturally very much excited, and under the excite
Inent of the moment made charges against my col,
league which on reflection could not sustain
had no proof then nor have had since, 10 substan-
tiate my charge and in justice to my colleagues
am here to fully retract what then sara. p,..
In answer to questions from Chairman ROBERTS
and other members of the committee, the witness
further said " heard before he Board met, from
common rumOr in the Aldermen's private room. that
such motion TO discharge the comhI,.tee was 10 De
made. heard that caucus was held, but nad no
information of my own m regard to IT,, ana not
know but that il might have been called Tor some
other purpose. have no know ledge that any men,
Der of the Board received any consideration IN any
way for his vote on the Rapid Transit commissions
eIs report"
Alderman Haughton was the next witness sworn.
and in answer TO questions he said There was
caucus at my house on that morning before the
Board met. Aldermen Kenney, Foster Carroll hop-
ert Hall, Herman Strack and JacODus were present
They at my invitation for the purpose OF ASK
ing Their votes 90 confirm Sheridan Shook for Police
Commissioner in case Mayor Cooper should nom,
mate HIN on that day. That was al that was sald
or done. The subject of the Rapid Transit Commits
sioneTs report was not mentioned There was no
caucus the night before. though my house being
public house IL is not an unusual thing for one or
more Aldermen TO be present there at any time. L
have no knowledge of any pay or promise direct or
indirect, made 10 any mem Der Tor MS vote on the
rapid transit matter No one knew before the meet
ing If the Board of my intention TO move for the
discharge of the committee. 1t was partly spon-
taueous move; and | will, when the oommttee
makes its report explain my motives 1or making
the motion at that time
Upon being asked to explain his assertion that
"delays are dangerous the witness said: Know
ing the power aud influence of corporations, had
TO believe that prompt action would be best
might illustrate how delays are dangerous by the
case of the confirmation of Police Commissioner
French. Had vote been taken when the nom
inaton first scutin would have been rejected,
but delay beng secured, combination was ell
fected tOcOntTm him"
Are you satisfied with the TetractiOn of Alder
man SaueT y asked the chairman.
That is not proper question" replied the wit
ness "N hen this committee makes its report It viii
be time enough iOT me 10 answer that. would ask
that the report be made by next Tuesday, III order
that the subject may be settled before 90 on my
vacation"
question suggested by committeeman, as to
whether there bad not been an agreement with the
Mayor TO reject the report in consideration of the
nomination of Sheridan Shook for Police Commas
slOner, was not asked, and the committee adjourned
to meet at the call of the chair. 1t is doubtful
another meeting will be held.