Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-01
GEN. sHALER ARRESTED.
Corruption In the Selection of ArmOry
SiteA His Alleged Fault.

NEW YORK, Nov. 3O.--This evening In
spector Byrnes handed to Detective sar-
gents Slevin and Reilly bench warrant
issued by Recorder Smyth for the arrest
of Maj. Gen. Alexander Smaller. The
General is charged with bribery in con-
nectlon with the purchase of an armory
site. He was arrested at his house at No. 127
West Forty-elghth street, and brought TO
police headquarters about $3.50 this eve
ming, and was there locked up.
GROUNDS or THE ARREST.
That the grounds upon which Maj. Gen.
Shaler was arrested tonight may be
clearly understood. il may be said that
Gen, Shaler has throughout the course OF
the investigation OF the Gibbs Senatorial
investigation committee denied that he
ever received or was Influenced in any
way in the choice Of sites for armory
properties. In his testimony to-day before
the Gibbs committee Monmouth u. Wilson
distinctly and emphatically said that, by
an arrangement with Gen. Shaler after
electing the sale OF the Schell and Fair
child property to the armory board at
figures greatly in excess of what the
property could have been bought for at
private eale. He had paid Off mortgages
Of $4,000 on property owned by Gen.
Shaler in New Jersey, and had handed
satisfactory pieces to him (Shaler). After
the Gibbs committee began investigating
Gen. Shaler handed the pieces back TO him
with request that they be destroyed,
which was done.
sHALER's HIGH POSITION,
Gen. Shaler is President OF the board Of
health, and is a Major General in COM
maDd Of the first division of the National
Guard. He succeeded Prof. Chandler, of
Columbia College, as head OF the Health
Department about two years ago, and be
was also Secretary of the armOry board,
which chose the sites of the armories re-
Gently built. The other members of the
armory board were ex-Mayor Edison and
Hubert o. Thompson. No indictment has
been found against Gen. Shaler.
THE BASIS OF THE ARREST.
District Attorney MARITIME drew papers
late this evening, and when sworn TO
Recorder Smyth issued warrant for Gen.
Shaler's arrest. When the detectives
rung the Generals bell they were ushered
in by boy, and they found Gen. Shaler
at ease, Just having finished his dinner.
He was at once convinced of the neces-
sity of compliance, and submitted quietly.
At police headquarters he was served
with notice Of the charges
preferred by Mayor Grace against him.
At IL O'Clock Judge Glldersleeve, Jacob
Hess, Col. Jussen and Gen. Shaler's
brother-in-law called at headquarters TO
see him, and remained half an hour. 1t
is not possible that Gen. Shaler will be
bailed out tonight.
THREE SITES PURCHASED.
The transactions in which Gen. shaIer
is said to be unpleasantly involved, are
three in number, so many armOry sites
having recently been located and pur-
chased by the ArmOrY Board, Of which
Gen. Shaler is Secretary. Monmouth b.
Wilson is the man who is alleged TO have
acted as middle man between the owners
Of the property bought for armory sites
and the board, who should choose and
purchase. Mr.. Wilson is said 20 have got
an upset price from property owners.
apd bonus as we'll, and then
influenced Gen. Shaler TO choose and urge
such property as Mr.. Wilson had In negO-
tiation. Gen. ShaleT's sin Is alleged 20 be,
in fact, that he accepted satisfaction
pieces of mortgages 10 the amount OF
$1,000 from Mr.. Wilson, who swears that
he never spoke TO any member Of the ar
mory board except Gen. Shaler. The the
Ory Of those who believe Gen. Shaer
guilty, is that in view Of Mr.. Wilson TAX
ing up the mortgages on his (Shaler's)
property. he Smaller lent his influence 10
fix on such armory sites as should yield
Mr.. Wilson profit on their sale and pur-
chase.