New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-10
JOHN B. HASKIN'S CHARGES
DIRECT DENIAL BY MAYOR EDSON.

CHARGES ~ DETAIL.
The special Committee Of the Assembly which is
investigating the City Government held highly
interesting and important session yesterday. Ibo
committee-room in the Metropolitan Hotel was
Gro owded all day by politicians who listened to tho
testimony of Mayor Edison, John Kelly, John u.
HasIIin and Alderman Pearson with much interest.
The principal part of the testimony was called forth
by the letter from John B. Haskn addressed TO
Colonel L. T. Wood, Mayor Edson's brother-in-law,
and printed III The Sun few days ago. In this letter
Mr.. Haskin charged that at meeting Of Tam
many leaders, held in Mr.. Kelys house just prior to
the nomination of Mr.. Edison for Mayor, tho
latter made pledge that, if he wero
nominated and elected, he would rcnominate Sid
ney F. Nichols for Police Commissioner John j.
German for Fire Commissioner and Thomas 5.
Brennan for Charities Commissioner; and that tho
first vacancy among the Police Justices should be
given to Tammany Hall. These pledges. Mr. Has
kin asserted. had been carried ont. 1t was to
ascertain the truth of these charges that the three
gentlemen were summoned to testify.
Mayor Edison admitted having met party of gen.
temen before his nomination for Mayor. but denied
that he promised TO nominate any particular per-
sons for Office. He said that he told the gentlemen
that as he would owe his election 10 Democratic
votes he would divide his patronage between the
factions which supported him. lie was positive
that he had given no pledges to nominate any par
ticular man. lie would not attempt to build mp ono
organization at the expense of another; and with
that all seem satisfied.
When John Kelly was called to the stand and
asked if Mr.. Edison had pledged himself to renom-
mate orrappont certain persons in case ofhs elec-
ton, he positively declined TO answer In regard to
the meeting of Messrs. Miller. Pearson. Wendell and
Waite, four of the Republican Aldermen, at his
house by his invitation, he testified wthoutr
He said that he wished 10 induce them TO vote for
Alderman Kirk, the Tammany candidate tor Pres-
dent Of the Board. He gave details of the meeting
and of the inducements held out to the Aldermen.
The testimony of John b. Haskin directly
contradicted that of the Mayor. He had
listened intently to the testimony of Mr. Edison
and Mr. Kelly. He described at length the prelimi-
naries of the meeting IN Mr. Key's house, aud told
who were there where they were seated, and what
topics were discussed. He declared that
Mr. Kelly after reminding Mr. Edison that the terms
of Office of Messrs. Nichols, German, and Brennan
would expire after he entered upon the duties
of the Mayoraty, said that they were warm friends
ofhis and valued members of the Tammany or
ganzation and asked him whether he would reap
point them to the positions which they hold. Mr..
Edison assented Mr.. Haskin was asked whether
he could be mistaken in this He replied that tho
Mayor gave his consent either by saying
was the understanding of all present that tho
Mayor had given this promise. Mr.. Haskin him
SELF in order that that there should be no misun-
derstanding practically repeated the question to
the Mayor, and received an Affirmative reply.
Alderman Pearson described in detail the visit OF
himself and his Republican colleagues TO Mr..
Kelly's house. and the inducements held out TO
them to vote for Mr.. Kirk for president of the
Board. John A. Anderson. bookseller in Reade-
ST.. told how Deputy-Sheriff Finn extracted 300
from him.
TWO MEETINGS AT Mr.. KELLYS HOUSE.
The chairman, Mr. Roosevelt and Messrs.
Erwin, ONeill and Nelson present. Mr. Wech alone
being absent Messrs Peckham and Miller counsel for
the committee, I'm their place, Mr. Cochran,
counsel for the Sheriff. When the proceedings were be-
gun Mr. Cochran made remarks respecting the pub
cation Of the statement that the Sheriff refused to SUBJ
init his books committee. He said that Mr.. David
had disposition To withhold the books, but that no
in behalf Of his client applied TO the District Attorney for
permission before the Grand jury and testify The
Sheriff went before them and promised TO produce the
books Monday at il o'clock In order to produce
them Sheriff could not allow them to 90 out Of his
possesslOn Mr. Cochran said that Mr.. Davidson, when
that examination would be perfectly willing TO
have them the hands of the committee.
The chairman called attention 10 the action Of the com
mittee in providing accountant for the examination Of
the books in the sherrs office. lie then produced a
letter from the accountant Mr. sprague, addressed TO
Mr.. Miller, dated February g, stating substan-
TALLY that he had called upon the Sheriff,
that he was cOurteousy refused access to tho
books the Sheriff saying that under advice OF counsel ho
decided to resist the attempt Of the committee to
examine the books and that he declined access to any
and all books pertaining TO the office.
Mr. Cochran cOntended that the Grand Jury had tho
right TO determine from the books whether crime had
been committed and that they the more imperative
f.tfv. Of g1.aA
first to obey.
Mr. Davidson was then asked by Mr.. Miller whether at
the time Mr. sprague called had been demanded
by tho Grand Jury, and he replied that they had not
The Sheriff then examined to the character OK
the books and their contens the number Of deputies and
their duties tho fees allowed by law and retained by
them. this point he stated that wherever any ques
ton arose amount OF fees charged the subject
was investigated and In the charge was improper
the deputy suspended unless the matter was salts
factory arranged He did not know OF eases where dep
uties charged fees that they had right to exact
case beng before HIM Of charge OF 800 by deputy
I'm leyying on goods he said would be surprised II
citizen suffering such did not call it 10 his at
tention, as the difficulty would be adjusted and tho
deputy removed.
few questions were asked OF Warden Finn as 70 the
exact time Of imprisonment In OF commlttd.s. He
said that a man committed for two days would be
eeiyed in the prison to-day and discharged tOmo ROW.
method applies TO prisoners sentenced for ten
days In reality they serve but nine days.
EX-sHERIFF BowE's FRANK ANswE3s.
Ex-sherf Bowe was examined briefly a. To his knowt
edge of the law providing for charges for transfer OF prs
ouers In substance he dsclaimed all knowledge OF I'M
proper charges by him, saying that he left the matter IN
the hands OF Under Sheriff Stevens ana tho
clerk who made up the lists. These gentlemen hSd no
object in making excessive charges, as they were pau
not by fees but by salary. lie had when going pto 'no
Office he said called meeting OF his subordinates and
directed them to make charges for anything 10 "mca
he was not legally entitled. There h"d oeeh dis-
pion at one time as his right to charge for prson-
era conveyed from Police Courts 10 the Island and