Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-03-26
The Rroad~ar VIIIainy

The rather startling aonnuncem ent was
made at the end of last week that Alderman
Jaehne of New York, the fence" and re-
cever of stolen goods, had confessed to bril-
berry in the matter of the Broadway horse
he was released on bail, but on Monday bis
bondsmen surrendered him and he is now 10
the Tombs. Jaehne's confession was made
to Inspector Brynes of the police force, and
it ia alleged that he told the story to Brynes
on the supposition that he was talking to
friend who already knew about the corrup-
ton and winked at it, He said that he got
500 600 for his vote in favor of granting Mr..
Shsrps franchise, and, further than this,
that he was also paid for his votes in favor
of all the other railroad franchises for which
he had ever voted in the board. He named
other aldermen who had been bribed, and
volunteered the information that those of
them who had invested in real estate, or bust
ness in which the money might show had,
since the investigation by the legislature be-
gan, had a certain lawyer go over their books,
and fix them so that it would appear all right
when their turn should come
1t is significant of the kind of morality
which prevails in New York's municipal gov
erpment that the Times declares that Jaehne
was not 'entrapped" by Inspector Brynes
into a confession, as that officer claims, but
made his confession deliberately as a choice
of evils. The inspector was perfectly fami-
lar with the fact that Jaehne was receiver of
stolen goods, he had known it for ten years
and been on good terms with him all the
while, and when Mrs. Schuyler Hamilton
made her revelation of the fate of her silver
ware in Jaehne's shop, and exhibited the con-
nection between the inspector and the
"fence," Brynes determined to draw atten.
| ton from this unpleasant matter by making
Jaehne confess to the bribery. He put the
twist" on the alderman and the alderman
"squealed." Ex-senator Conkling, leading
counsel for the state in the investigation, be-
lieves that Jaehne confessed from personal
motives, probably because he was frightened
and thought the confession would either save
or help him. Mr.. Conkling adds;
II think that 500 900 would be very
small sum for a New York alderman to re-
ceive, in the way of bribery, for the service
it is said that Jaehne and some of his fellow
aldermen rendered to this Broadway scheme.
But there is very little doubt that, if they re .
ceived anything, it was something very much
larger than that, and this 800, 600 was only
one of the items. l have very little doubt
that all surface railroads have paid aldermen
toll, and that beyond the toll paid were GER
tain other political advantages, such as the
payment Of election expenses, that would
make up a consideration that would be an
adequate compensation for the service given"
These later developments and the facts I'M
earthed by the investigating committee have
called out a special message to the legislature
from Gov. Hill in which he urges the repeal
of the charter Of the Broadway road and
holds that it is clearly within the power of
that body to enact the repeal The governor
says
valuable franchises in the city Of New
York have been practically given away in the
broad light of day and with brazenness and
boldness unparalleled in the history of our
municipalities Recent developments have
made clear the frauds and crimes by
which such results we're accomplished. In.
stead OF exacting compensation for the city,
its recreant officials have made themselves the
benefciaries of their official action and their
votes, rather than the franchises, have been
sold to the highest bidder. The particular
facts are too familiar to re quire detailed rep.
etition. II is enough TO recall that the alder
men OF that city refused to permit the city