New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-06-11


have had no difficulty in finding one Meantime
in default of n cross-examination, Mr.. Armstrong OF
Oneida. was called to the stand. and told a story
which be referred to further 1t bore against
Mr.. Depew possibly the committee would have
found it impossible TO hear it,
The friends of the Administration believe that the
purpose of the Conkling leaders is % keep the inves
tigaton mill going, and TO pour through IT steady
stream of lobby stories against Mr. Depew, such as
are always current about both sides in fight of
this kind They think that by this means they will
he able to check the growth Of Mr.. Depews
vote and perhaps defeat him or aid their
ultimate project of adjournment. They have
been disappointed in the first object of the investiga
ton. Mr.. Depew has not only held his vote but has
gained both to-day and Yesterday so that he has
fftysev members counting abscntees. His friends
believe he will continue to gain votes next week
Tomorrow and Monday, however are likely to be in
conclusive days, the unfortunate habit Of pairing
hes broken out again it did last week. though not
TO such an extent.
CHARACTER OF TIE TESTIMONY.
So much for the committee and it's action. The
important witnesses have been: Messrs. Bradley
Sessions, Ssson and Armstrong. McsSrs Sisson and
Armstrong have told stories of attempts at Influence
by lobbyists, which are of little importance and
do not in the least affect Mr.. Depew. Mr.
Armstrong; story told tonight in effect
that lobbyist named Edwards offered him money
for his vote on the Broadway Underground Railroad
bill. which he refused, and that Edwards told him
he could have twenty times the amount then offered
if he would vote against Mr.. Conklng. Edwards
also promised him Custom House patronage in that
event and said that he Edwards going to have
a good Custom House appointment
Mr. Armstrong made a good impression. while Civ
ing his testimony, and would seem to have been i'm
posed upon by the gabbe of one of the
well-known Albany lobbyists. Everyone who
is familiar with the ways of lcgisla-
tive capitals knows that it is the habit
of these men often TO catch their member first and
then what they sell him for, or if they can
sell him at all; and the vacucness Of the offer TO
induce him to vote against Conklng. and
not for any candidate seems to show
that this was such case The talk
of Custom House patronage makes the whole thing
ridiculous as Mr.. Armstrong ought TO have known.
1t is utterly ludicrous to suppose that Of those
CurbstOne lobbyists could have had any authority TO
promise Custom House places, eyenif Custom House
places were being distributed; and the idea that
Mr.. Edwards himself was to he appointed To such
place is too grotesque for serious repetition.
The whole question reduces itself to one of veracy
between Senator Sessions and Mr.. Bradley. The
testimony of Speaker Sharpe and Mr.. Jones is of
course mere hearsay. tending of course TO
strengthen Bradleys story before the public though
without value as legal evidence. This issue
of veracity is that can be better
discussed, perhaps in the light of the cross
examinations. Ii be said, however, that no one
familiar with the legislative careers of the two mon
will say that Mr. Sessions i not fully worthy Of
credcnce as Mr. Bradley. They start at least even
in that respect.
IMPORTANT COSsIDERATIONs
Finally, two facts should be noted: First. that
there is not the slightest evidence to show that Mr.
Depew had any connection with the alleged attempt
at bribery, if there one. Many Of the cleanest
men in the Legislature supporting Mr.. Depew.
and they do not hesitate TO say that |
the whole story is, in their opinion, the |
conspiracy Of desperate faction They think that |
man WIN would do what bradley says lac has done |
would take brbes to tell the story. Second. that ~
the excitement calms down, II has done noilcca-
bly, to-day themembers Of the Legislature are rcincm
berng that this controversy between Senator Sessions
and Mr. Bradley constitutes no reason why they !
should overlook their duty here. which is 10 that
party treason is not rewarded with the highest |
Offices in the gift of the state and that the United
States Senate is not want0nly surrendered 20 the !
Democratic party