The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-10
JACOB SHARP'S FRANCHISE.
Mr. Conkling Obtains a Little Information,
but Sharp's Memory Proves Defective.

New YORK, Feb. 9.--The Senate committee
on railroads, that is endeavoring to penetrate the
mystery surrounding the granting of the fran
chise to the Broadway Street railway, met again
to-day. Mr.. Seward, counsel for the committee,
put in evidence the books Of the Broadway 81
Seventh-avenue railroad, and also certain papers
accompanying she books, There we're eight
ceruncates filed out, but only one bad been cut.
ana tnus oaiy one, apparently. paid for and de-
hvered. and that was the arst certificate in the
Doox, AM was 20 Jacob Sharp, for {, 1870 shares.
The stock ledger was then introduced. and
sustained the record of the certificate
book. The transfer book was likewise VOID
of information. The minute book of the Broad
way and Seventh avenue road, of the board Of
directors, was then put in evidence, and 1t
showed the total cost of the Broadway road as
So, 452, 900. Opposite the heads Of zach detail OF
horses, cars, dummies, wagons, etc., there was
written the word none" In the income &C.
count. dated Sept. 1885. these entries occur:
Gross earnings. -; net earnings, -.
Total gross earnings, - Total net earn
ings, -" This had reference to the Broad
way road.
Mr.. Jacob Sharp then took the witness stand,
and Mr.. Conkling proceeded to examine him.
The witness testified that young Kerr, the son
of the distiller, to whom Sharp paid a check OF
$40, 600. discussed money to 'laborers' on the
Broadway road.
Counsel then asked Mr.. Sharp about the pass
age by the State Legislature of the act of 1884,
under which the Broadway road was organized,
and witness admitted that he had worked for It's
passage. Coming back to the Broadway road,
Mr.. Conkling asked: 1.-Two million five hundred
thousand dollars of bonds were delivered to you,
were they not, Mr.. SHARPE"
Yes, about June, 1885. There were canvass
ers sent out to get the consent OF property own
ers along the proposed route. The company ap-
Piled to the common council"
1.-THE petition to the common council was
granted, wasn't it2'
II understand So"
Just from hearsay, eh2'
SWELL. l heard sou
'.And there was a commission appointed, wasn't
there2"
II understand So"
"Who were theyY'
''Their names were Lord, Vance and Harris. !"
Did you pay the commissioners
'Who didq'
81 don't know as I know"
"Were not the commissioners paid out of the
$74. 900 check given over to your lawyerw.
II don't know.
''Now, you received 81, 500, 900 of bonds-did
you pay any of your counsel with the bonds2'
"Yes. l believe So.
'To which and whomY'
ITO Mr.. Bliss, / believe"
"How manyg'
sTen shares
"Who elseg'
"Judge Russell, 1 guess"
"Yes; will you tell us how many to him.
pleasel"
~ guess I gave him $40. 900 of the bonds.n
Nov, what did you do with the balance of
those bonds2'
II gave $50 to Pullman for cars"
swell, who else?"
II don't know as l remember"
"Well, you gave 1923 bonds to Vermilye ca. didn't
youg"
"Yes."
"And to Richmond 1852
Eyes"
"And $50 to the three stage lines?"
"Yes."
SIS that all7"
SAIL that I think of. yes"
"Now. Mr.. Sharp, there are 6,692 shares yet
to be accounted for"
But Mr.. Sharp's memory failed him. Mr..
Conkling then footed up all the sums. The ag-
gregate was $l60, 400. The court adjourned to
Friday next"