New-York tribune., 1879-03-29
GENERAL INTEREST IN ALBANY.
CLEws 10 THE PLOT DIscLosED-sMITH WEEDS
OWN VERSION.

GENERAL INTEREST IN ALBANY.
| cLEws TO THE PLOT DISCLosED-sMITH WEEDS
OWN VERSION.
| TFROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE !
ALBANY, March 2S.-The semi-trial of Mr..
psbury the Superintendent OF Prisons for removing
Warden Wells Of Auburn Prison. for political reasons
| last Fall, the subject OF much conversation
| among the members of the Legislature to-day,
the Albany morning dailies having published full
reports OF the testimony taken yesterday by Senate
committee in relation to the matter great deal OF
asonlshment expressed at the character OF the
timony given by Mr.. Psbury, not only in relation to
the Wells charges but also regarding his position
! before the Governor. 1t was generally con-
| ceded that these matters were closely connected
| aud that II they had not been Mr. Wells would
still be warden of Auburn Prison From the testimony
given yesterday all reasoned that the following
! political history Of the affair made clear:
Immediately after the adjournment of the Democratic
State Convention in September last it discovered
by the TIlden men that they lacked two three
votes Of majority in the committee. To gain these
they mportuncd the doubtful members necessarily up
| to the time OF the meeting OF the committee in New
York. Atthat meeting William J. Moses who represents
anti-Tilden district. cyerybOdy's astOnshment
voted for the organization of the committee in Mr.. Til
dens interest His reward revealed later
Within few days OF the meeting another
part OF the plan to capture the committee executed
at Albany. Mr.. Pllsbury compelled to write out his
resignation and place 1t III the hands OF the Governor
He had been charg, with drunkenness and after being
kept in agonzed state OF mind for some time in
lation TO the accusation driven to offer his
| resignation. The Governor neither accepted the
resignation returned the paper. Mr.. Psbury said
yesterday MY resignation was left with the Cover
nor ABOUT the Sth or 9th Of October II has never
acted on by the Governor; IS still In his D."
Friends OF the Governor state that he did not demand
Mr. Pisburys resignation with any intention of accept
| ing IL time but that II secured TO frghten
the into good behavior; that IT was thought II he
gave wav to incorporate habits such an exhibition
hy a great official wOuld bring great disgrace upon
thc state that 1t was desired etain such Efficient
desired the power OF Instantly removing Mr. Pilsbury II
he should again contract bad habits on the theory that
Mr Pilsbury from fear Of losing his place would con-
troll himself.
It is apparent from the testimony given yesterday
that resignation in the hands Of the Governor
used for far deren purposes than keeping Mr. Pilsbury
on his good behavior. 1t political well
moral weapon. Mr. Wells peacefully doing his work
as warden of the prison in Auburn on November %
when he received a telegram from Mr.. Pilsbury
directing him to come at once to Albany.
The public by this time had long since forgotten all
about Mr.. Mosess mysterious vote in the Democratic
state Committee, and Mr.. Wells he journeyed to
Albany racked his brains in wondering what the
cause Of his sudden summons 10 Albany There had not
been the slightest trouble between himself and
Mr. 10 Suspect rnd tina, che had
dissatisfied with his MANAGEMENT Arriving In Albany
Pilsbury and was greeted with this sentence: "I am
IN trouble" He inquired what it was; when Mr. Pills
icalIy famous; They want Auburn Prison"
And then followed The interesting conversation
MIR Pisbury candid described the squeezing to which
he had subjected in order to secure the appoint
peut Of MT. Moses warden AT Auburn. 1t will be
remembered that Nh Wells testified that Mr.. Psbury
told hun that Smith NJ. Weed mad demanded the resig-
nation OF Wells, affirming that the demand
horizcd by the Governor and the lastly
Pilsbury also said SO MI Wells testified that the Con.
troler confirmed Smith N. Weeds assertion when ques-
Mr. Pilsbury IN his testimony said that he had known
Mr. Wells forty years that they were first cousins
that Wells was a competent warden, having acted as
such in a great many PRISONS and that at the time of
removing Mr. Wells he considered him honest,
Pilsbnry, when asked whether he telegruphed Mr..
Wells IN consequence OF talk with smith ~ Weed, re-
nled: IL had an Interview with MI Weed matters
entirely foreign to this. spoke to him OF certain
trouble between Mr.. Wells and clerk named Underhil
causing a great deal OF trouble and anxiety. Weed
said: 81 should advise you to make a
way that il was my duty to make change; the name
OF Mr. Moses aiterward suggested but not by Mr.
Weed had almost continual conversation and CORES
trouble with Mr.. Underhll; the last within
made any suggestion to me on the subject; the
change was not III any way or degree lnuntnGed ,y Dy
dcrhiI who was clerk of the prison, Nj Pilsbury had
no complaint to make against Mr. Wells; smlth NJ
Weeds testimony Is 50 peculiar tha IL ousnt 10 30 Oh
record lie sad
reside at PlattsbuTgh; had an interview IN Al
bany with Mr. Pllsbury believe, in November last; IL
was not al nv suggestiOn that interview, after con
yer. alton on tine matters upon which MT him. Mr.
Pilsbury said there was constant WranSiiD6
between MIR Wells and a clerk: / said, why
don't you remove Wells da,t said Ees S,rb Ii
he better for YOU and might stop public talk II he
were removed said i were you 6i,Ii Would HGt s4na
mentioned had not previously been consulted In ref
ercnce Inc matter didn't care rush 81 VINO was
The maier did not think my business TO advise the
Coniroer 10 remove the clerk that is the substance or
what sad the interview was h0t III pursuant o