The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-18
THE SHERlFF'S PERQUISITES.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO EXCLUDE RE-
PoRTERs f- .
Commissioner Curtis continued the investigation
into the examination Of the Sherif's department
yesterday. Previous to taking any further testi-
mony he rendered his decision the point raised
in regard to the admissibility in evidence of the
Sheris bills for 1877. the object OF which was to
show that he received payment for the support OF
prisoners and at the same time made their support
chargeable to the county. 1t in proof that the
bills were audited and passed. II he were presiding
as Judge he would exclude the evidence but he was
sitting as Commissioner to take testimony and ad
wise the Governor what facts established in his
Judgment. He had arrived at the conclusion that
the interests of plaintiffs, defendant and the public
can be preserved without rejecting the evidence
and he would therefore admit it. The proceeding
was addressed largely to Executive discretion.
which, however. must be governed by rules OF EVIL
dence. ae
Deputy Sheriff Gale testified In explanation Of
papers served by him and fees obtained in certain
suits. Tho fret for sale last April. which real
lied $780, from which he deducted $34 so IS pound
age and keepers fee SIS. The next opened with an
item of SO 25 sherits bill. which he said for
advertising in an official sheet. The item of $40
for four notices of sale posted up in the rotunda
the entry s25 25 was for filing certificate in the
County Clerks office. and the $40 was allowed him
by the plaintiffs attorney. In answer to Mr.. Book
staver he said he instructed By the Sheriff In
those ca es and did not report to him. The Sheriff,
he added did not get any Of the money, but ALL
cept the keepers fees, went into his own pocket In
relation to extravagant and exorbitant charges he
said that the amounts in such agreed
upon between himself and the parties in litigation
Mr. Bush-Will you swear that in the Smith-Cox
case Cox was ever consulted at all? A. He was.
o. Where? A. In william street.
d. Did you ever Major Quincy write? A. Yes,
Q. Look at that signature (handing psper) and
tell whose it isg A. 1 could not recognize Major
Quincy handwriting. rL9
Mr.. Bush-No! That will do.
After the Mrs. Mary O'Brien, wife Of DR..
O Brien. resident physician OF Ludlow Street Jail,
and Of Sheriff Reilly was examined in the
sheriifs private office. A deputy sheriff was sta
toned ut the door and at first refused to admit
porters. This information was conveyed to Mr..
Bush who stated that, SO far as he concerned.
he desired the OF press should
have tree access to the room while every witness
was being examined. and IL any attempt were made
to withhold the testimony from publication he
would furnish 1t himself. A brief consultation was
then held, and under the apprehension that Mr..
Bush might insist on the examination of the lady in
open court Fitzsimmons induced to relax mis-
grasp of the door knob One reporter when passing
in was grasped by the old man who acts a. porter,
and Sheriff Reilly observing it drew back the man.
saying, "Thats all right-a reporter" After that
sentinel stationed at the door. that the only
persons besides the reporters present during the
Quincy and two deputies. sheriff Reilly was pres
emit part of the time and stood in . corner looking
thoughtfully and earnestly ut the witness.
FALSE SIGNATURES PAYRoLLs.
Mrs. O'Brien, having been sworn, testified in
swer to Mr.. Bush that she resided in Ludlow street
Jail and did the cooking and general housekeeping.
O. Did you ever wash the dishes or do that kind Of
work? A. Oh NO; well. perhaps 1 did-some-
O. Did you receive any compensation therefore,
A. Yes, Sl9 month; but Mr.. Fitzsimmons brother
of the wtness) told me he would deduct 50 from it
o. Did you do the work you have stated during
the months of October and November? A. did.
tember 1873 was shown to the witness. and she was
asked to look at the signature katy Mangin" and
If she could recognize the sgnsture. She said at
"Weii, then said Mr.. Bush I'VE will find more.
will go up stairs for the other papers" When he
returned the replied that after reflection she
identified the signatures hers. She said that her
hesitation was due to the fact that there was not
much ink on the pen when she it. Other pay
rolls were handed her. with the signatures spelled
dinerently each time and with different name in
one instance. in the following order katy Man.
GIN" katie Mangin, Katie MRnnion" and
what is that last nameY' asked Mr.. Bookstaver.
and Mr.. Bush replied. IT reads 'Fitxgibbons. but
we call ii .Fitzsimmous.'
Q. Look closely at the signature MARY Fitzgib-
bons:" don't you know you did not write it, The
witness would not answer positively to OF the sig
natures. She recognized one ~ being moro like her
writing than the rest When asked give explana-
ton she said, after much hesitation, "You see when
Katy Mangn was leaving she said she had no objec-
ton to my signing her name the payrols. did
not care to have my own name appear them"
Q. In the payroll for june 1878, you signed the
payroll with the name Katy Mangin," IS assistant
cook? A. Yes, sir.
Q. And in the August payroll? A. No, sir.
Major Quincy seen to whisper to the witness
and Mr.. Bush protested. II was only telling her not
to get nervous" said the Major.
The Commissioner put the question, "Wss there
any other person named Fitzgibbons employed %
cook during that timer Witness answered in the
negative.
Q. From the time Katy Mangin left the Jail aid
you sign her name the payroll every month for
Sl9, ~ assistant cook? A. Yes sir.
Q. What work did you perform for It? A. The
same as Katy Mangin did.
In answer to Mr.. Bookstaver the witness replied
that Katy Mangin was assistant cook in the Jail.
This concluded the examination, and the Commits
sioner. counsel and reporters proceeded to the
Supreme Court Circuit room. Mr. Bush announced
that he had intended to examine Katy Mangn next.
but somehow she not hand. There
other witnesses who live at distance, and he was
not prepared to go further at present He deemed
the utmost importance that the evidence should
be presented and argument had before the Governor
ut the earliest possible day.
The investigation was then adjourned till next
Wednesday.
A CELESTIAL KISS.