New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-04
THE DAYNEMORA RAILROAD LEASE.
THE INyEsTlGAuoN mo THE PECULIAR MANNER
IN WHICH THE LEASE WAS oBrAlEED-SlR'
su.NKs BEFORE An ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE.
los, .,, ron ,ptt 10 THE TRmUNE.l


~ WHICH THE LEASE WAS oBTANED-NiR'
suANKs BEFORE An ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE.
lnY TELEGRAPH THE TRInUSEl
Albany, March 3.-The Assembly committee
now investigating the singular circumstances which
attended the leasing of the Dannemora and Platts-
burp Railroad to the Chataugay Railroad CON-
pany, held session to-day.
William F. G. Shanks, City Editor OF IHE lRB-
TINE. was the principal witness examined. Hctesu-
fled that he was the author of most of the articles
that appeared in The TRIBUNE in October last,
commenting upon the lease This acknowledge
ment. he explained. contrary to the policy Of
the poper but Mr. Reid had authorized him to make
the abatement. These articles were partly based
upon letters and documents sent to THE TRIBUNE.
and partly upon information given verbally by sew
eral persons Among these persons Senator
Rockwell. He stated to the witness that Smith
Weed had inserted the clause permitting tho leasing
of the State railroad while the bill was under con-
sideration in committee Of the Senate,
Another of the witnesses informants was
ex-Assemb lyman James NJ. Nelson of Rock
land County who described tho zeal
with which Assemblyman Mooers had pushed the
bill in the Assembly. Another gentleman, whose
name the witness would decline 10 give, furnished
very important information about the relations Of
Weed TO the contractors, lessons, and others con-
nected with the road.
Mr.. Rhodes the Democratic member Of the COM
mittee at once said " desire to ask the name Of
the individual whose identity is concealed by the
witness"
Mr. shanks-" decline to answer"
Mr.. Rhodes-" Then. Mr. Chairman. l demand
that the witness be attached and l 50 moye.'
Mr. Rhodes remarked that the whole power Of the
State should be employed 70 make him tell.
Mr.. Shanks replied that they would have to en-
pioy greater power than that Of the State as he
would not tell under any circumstances.
Mr.. Rhodes's motion was, IN fact, 20 bring the
witness at once before the bar of the Assembly for
refusing to answer the question. After some dis
cusslon Mr. Rhodes waived the demand TIL the close
Of the session.
Mr.. Shanks then continuing his testimony, test-
fed that another empoy6 Of TIE TRIBUNE had OBJ
tanned tho particulars Of the lease from Deputy
Controller Gallen and Deputy Secretary of State
Moss the previous Spring, but had not published
them
These documents were then submitted 20 tie com
mittee
The witness resuming his testimony said that
another reporter of THE TRIBUNE had had an in
terview with Thomas Dickson. president Of tie
Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, in relation
to his part in the leasing of the road.
This interview was then read to the committee by
Mr. Shanks who said that tie only use made OF II
was to establish the fact that Ar. Dickson was ne
gotlaing In April Tor tine lease 20 corporation not
In existence for month and half later, OF state
railroad which a month prcyiuI sly Mr. Dickson had
declared to be " not worth dime"
Mr.. Shanks then testified that he was informed
by Major ". II. Quincy that john OBucn. the con-
tractor for the building Of tie State Railroad Hud
also for the rebuilding of Clinton Prison. had told
hm that lao lO'Bucul would lose bis CON
tracts II lac did not support smith weed
IN the Democratic state Commtteg. Of
which O'Buen was member. III Sh1nks
further SAID that cansdcrcl Mr. Galieus letter,
in regard 10 the lease, special plea pa defence OF
IT, but. nevertheless, published -. lie womb 9i-"
make the same criticism on "a letter sent 10 lHE
TnBUNF by Henry BARRIER, formerly supcrn,rndcui
of the state Ra road. The mann point ol BaIbeTs
STATE Railroad letter had also been published
After the taking OF MI Sh1nA3s testimony thc
committee went into executive session. There Sit
Rhodes renewed has demand that Dir. chanEs should
be brought before the bar OF tie Assembly ana
compelled TO reveal the name of tnc confidential IN
formant of HE TRIBUNE. the matter was debated
for over an hour, but the committee finally adj
iourned without complying with MI Rhodes de-
mand.