New-York tribune., 1886-02-28

DID Mr.. SHARP "FIX' THE 1LDERhENf
John keenan, in the safe refuge of Lakewood,
unburdened by the obligations OF an oath ana
safe from the searchngs of a cross-examlna-
tion. has been asserting with great VIgOr
and vehemence that the witness who
testified that he overheard remark
made at Lakewood about the possibility OF
some one "sQuealing" had committed perjury
Will Mr. Sharp be equally emphatic in charg-
ing perjury against the witness who testified
Yesterday that Mr. Sharp told him, after
Mayor Edison had vetoed the resolution of the
Aldermen granting the Broadway 1ranchlse'
that he had the Board " fixed and the
resolution would be passed over the veto but
no matter how positively Mr.. Sharp may de-
clare that he never said anything OF the SORT
we fear that he will find few to believe him.
Mr. Powell, the witness who gave tins testi-
monv, had the confidence OF Mr.. sharp ana his
associates in 1SS4 to such an extent that to nm
was committed the important WORK OF obtain
inc consents from Broadway property owners.
Mr.. Sharp trusted him then. The puDhc VIII
be likely to trust him against Mr. sharp now
Nothing has been brought out to dlscreult MI.
POwells character unless we look upon en-
plovment by Mr.. Sharp as tending to bring MN
into disrepute But in that case some OF our
ablrst and best known lawyers must stand iii
the stocks with Mr.. Powell.
If Mr.. Sharp had record with a few rilts OF
cleanness in it, his word might weigh something
in the balance against Mr., POwelPs. But he
has injured his reputation for Veraclty by
his own testimony more extensively ana uh-
sparingly than any one else could. Then, too
every one has believed for a long time that Mr.
Sharp did have the Board of Aldermen 81 fixed.
Mr.. Powell's testimony will be generally
accepted.
Thomas B. Kerr, the capitalist secretary and
treasurer Of the Broadway and Seventh Avenue
Railroad, was questioned at much length yes
tcrday. \ great deal Of information was
extracted from him concerning his financial
affairs. but nothing that of itself will serve to
send any bribc-takcr or any corlupicr ol
CITY Hall virtue to Il State prison. Mr.kerr Is
the afllucnt person to whom Mr. sharp paId
mysterOus sums which he testified were III re-
pavment Of various loans, but over the oilElh
and history of those loans and the considerations
therefor SUI hangs a veil of obScurity III spite
of the delugc of details about checks ana
accounts which Mr. Kerr poured upon the
committee Mr. Kcrr's memory Is better than
Mr.. Sharp's and his habits in regard to stubs are
more mcthodical, but no one could say at the
close of his protracted examination that much
important progress bad been made toward the
proper object of this iEation-thc gather
ing of evidence hat will be useful IN punIshing
the guilty and of depriyinG them OF the p!undcI
which they hold. The emotional Aldermen
whom We heard 80 much about IA few days ago
have moi VET come forward with those cOnic>-
sions." Nor does william Moloncy yet appear.
The committee must make a bold stroke IN
order TO stimulate the wavcring hopes Of the
public that important disclosures may yet 0c
mane. The names of Francis l.. Stctson and
Abraham Disbeckcr have been mentioned III
this inquiry and the impression has gone
abroad that they could tell some uncommonIy
interesting facts if they would kindly commu-
nicate all they know. How would II do to call
Mr. Stetson and Mr.. DishcckcrP