New-York tribune., 1884-02-24
LEGISLATIVE INQUIRIES.
THE CONFERENCE AT MR. KELLYs HOUSE.

Vcnss health s bad and the weather was so stormy
that hn did not dare TO venture out although he was
anxious 10 testify Mr.. Roosevelt said that the commit
tee could allow Mr.. stevens to set up as a defence
that no had gqnc bcoro the Grand Jury and tceted he
had Voluntarily done this. Whlo TO the COM
nittee's subpoD be i not responded There are many
things connected with the Sherfs office concerning
hoh the committee desIcd nfounlton and these de-
lays annoying
sheriff Davidson was then questioned relative 10 the
receipts AMI expenditures OF hia Office and hs clerical
force He stated that on tho civil business Of hi7 Office
last wear he ran sl2oO0 behind his receipts. His total
salaries for 1893 wora about $4,000 The Office notted
him about 100000 He admitted that his former testi-
mouy that UnderSherlG Stevens had Informed him thnt
lie had right 10 charge the city for prisoners conVeyou
from the Police Courts TO tho Peatcnuary Workhouse
the OF the Commissioners OF Charities ana Correo
ton incorrect; he had mistaken what Ar stevens
had told him. He said that he had made personal ex
animation OF the Police Court records relative to tho
number Of names of prisoners forwarded to the secre-
ary OF S.ate and had found tbom correct number OF
bills shown to the sheriff FOR supplies ana Tnrhnfe
for the Ludlow Street Jail and he certified to their correct
ness. These ncuded black walnut decks, napkins and
silver plated knives and forks besides bcdpreads at W
olch.
Charles T. spraguc, an expert accountant. testified
that he bad examined the cash receipts AID cIpcnti
tures of shcriGs Office Those shown tho committee
were correct transcripts except for few trlng
Tho committee then took OF an hour and went
TO the ja The cells inspected, the other rooms
visited, and the food given the prisoners examined.
Dinner was bcng served while the committee in the
Jail.
James Bove Warden OF III. Jail testified to the food
Owen 10 the ordinary prisoners and the number OF table
boardcrs Sometimes there many 200 prisoners
In the jall about election tines These were generally
there only for day two. Tho table
boarders were allowed TO visit the rooms on on the lower
fnr I'm IN ID
prisoners locked in their cells by $50 orc p NJ the
6oardeTs pay R per We r RS es PGad Gae by r Mr. g Mc %
prove that OF those who paid board were charged
70 the city a. 90 90 CENTS s bRSr Rr o S oosSe Se Se
witness did not think 70 cents per day too much & to
thought not, considering the expenses OF the Jau'
MFssRs CROKER, sPISoLA AND NICHOLS HEARD.
The entrance OF John Kelly attracted interest Gt
this time He had been preceded by Fire Commissioner
Richard Croker Polco Commissioner E. p Nichols, and
T. H. spnoa. Mr. Kelly had quiet talk with one or two
members of tho COMMITTEES and Mr.. Pcckham. He stated
that ho had nothing To add to ha former testimony Mr.
Croker was then called to tho stand He asked by
Mr. Peckharn II he had met several gentlemen at Mr..
KeIy's house Just prior TO the nomination of Mr..
Edison for Mayor lie replied that he had met several
gentlemen there. including Mr.. Kelly and Mr. Edison He
was invited there by General Spnola. He understood
that Mr. Edson TO DO there and the idea was TO have
all the gentlemen present meet Mr.. Edison. Nearly all
one about politics principally.
o-Did YOU hear any conversation abont Mr.. Edison be
Ing nominated for Mayori Al object 10 answer. 1t
sef in honor bound not 10 tell what transpred.
QWhy do yon decline TO answer was ANY thlng sald
aut the election OF Mayor and division OF patronage
Al decline TO answer Ma promise was made to nom,
naio me fer any position NY g1es6@4s N az o1 yse P.
publican party and the necessity OF uniting the Demo
cratic party In this city and State. Laughter
Ohpythlng said about the purity OF the Democratic
party A.-Oh yes; we are me party.
about the distribution OF Offices IN the event Of the
Mayors election DO yOu not think this public matter
Al don't think It would he manly on my part TO say
ANYTHING about the conversation which took place in
gcnteinan's house
Various other questions werc put by Mr. Peckham but
the witness declined to give any information.
Mr Rooseyelt'rhis meeting Of gentlemen friend
ly TO Mayor. Your declining to answer may be CON
stred as a reflection him. The committee has not de
called here rather TO do justice TO tho Mayor
The witness still declined answer, and told he
could 60 he turned to leave the witness chair he said
to Mr. Roosevelt: "Did yon meet with your party
iust prior eectOl We'll, that's all there was OF this
Mr. SpnOla was then called.
Mr. Peckham-Y0u have heard the question pro
pouaded the previous witness. VIII you tell IA
whether there was ans conversation between the Mayor
and the gentlemen present and what would do Ia
OF hs election as to the appointment Of certain men
Mr. spnob!- Why do you PROFOUND the question:
have q right as a private citizen to know.
Mr. Ro6sevet-The committee are cndoavoring TO as
certain how the nomination OF the Mayor was brought
about and this these questions asked.
Mr. spin0la-I would have the same right to ask what
ranspired the meeting between General Garfield and
Senator COnkng at Mentor will answer the committee
in my way, and not from the standpoint OF the Union
League Club, which Ia at tho bottom OF TINS thlng.
Iaughterl had been working for two years TO bring
about Edson's nomination. He was comparative
10 Mr. Kelly and most Of the others present at
the miccting and he was invited there to meet them
During the conversation that followed; Mr. Edson said
hat hs was not andidat n nomna ed and elected
he would appoint bnt competent and good men to
office. lid not hear any promise made by him to ap-
Iont any ono TO oice.
Mr. Peckham asked sucessIvely the Mayor promised
10 appoint Measrs German, Nichols or Croker MI.
spnola replied that he heard nothing OF the kind, and
added:
was sitting SD near Mr. Edson that could have heard
any promise made TO any one. Any person who says
that he had private conversation with the Mayor at that
time that the Mayor privately promised 10 appoint any
enc. lis a fssehood. Idoh't care who he Ia.
Mr. prckhaIn-Did you hear any question OF ths Kind
asEcdi A~NO; nothing of the kind. We did move
from orr Gs and there MS no private ,n tak AK nen II WAS
was made bubble the object might e miScOnstr'd sug-
gested that all present pledge themselves to say nothing
concerning 1t, and this VAS done MI Haskin joined in
this with the rest.
Mr. welsh-Ihen Won disagree with Mr.. Haakln In his
when they enraged and disappointed, aud see things
from different standpoint from other men, and miscon-
Mr. PecEham Then you heard nothing of any pledge
10 rrapp0nt GOrman A-NOthng. German did not
open his mouth the meeting. did good part OF the
talking lIalghtcrl Haskn mistaken. The talk
general and urncd on the best mode OF carrying The
election
The General had inst begun promising speech on tho
evil effects of citizens movements in politics, when he
was cut short by the chairman and Police Commissioner
Nichols was called.
Mr. Peckhsm-yOu have heard the questions put TO the
previous witnesses Can you give information az
10 Mr Edson promised TO do I'm Of his election
Al went there by Invitation. | do not wish 10 be
deemed dsrcspectu 10 the committee but do not think
can in honor tell what took place. There was nothing
10 offend the delicate ears.
O1Ine gentleman has already testified that something
occurred here which the committee thinks was lmm0ra
that political BARGAIN was made. A-N6 bargains Was
made. -. =. ~,
O..-Mr Hasktn said there was promise made by Mr.
Eds0n appoint orran men 10 certain Oices' was suo
nromIse m edei Al decline toRnswer.
0-Was there bargain or deal made with Mr.. Edison
20 inc effect that elected he would appoint certain men
10 certain Offices Al have recollection OF any such
bargain. .. ~, ,.u..,
Q-Was any promise made 10 roappcint Mr. German
Fire Commissioner Ali any snch thing occurred u