Morning journal and courier., 1886-10-07
MYRA GOODWIN IN isis. {"
ARGUMENTS WADE

In The Aldermen Bribery Case BY
Attorneys Tyler And BlydenburEh
In Which Mr.. Gum Is Roughly
Randled-An Interesting Legal Conn
bat.
At o'clock last evening the members of
the investigating committee on the Doodle
Aldermen question took their seats and were
once more ready to go on in the case. The
room was crowded with the usual number of
law students, lawyers, aldermen and other in
terested parties. Chairman Dickerman called
the meeting to order, after which Judge
Blydenburgh, attorney for the plaintiff, Mr..
j. B. Sargent, arose and made the opening
argument, an excellent one, during which he
said: First, would say that when Mr.. Sar-
gent brought these charges against the Board
of Aldermen he did it not with the least per-
sonal feeling whatever, but out of a sense of
duty and justice. The policy of interfering
with private corporations has grown into
disfavor. 1t is dangerous for a
municipal corporation to interfere with
enterprises of this kind. Why? Because
sometimes the creator of this corporation be-
comes corrupt. So far as Mr.. Sargent has
interested himself in this matter it seems to
me it is shighly commendable on his part
Unless the private citizen sometimes inter
ests himself in matters of this kind they do
not always get looked after in proper and
diligent manner. Judge Blydenburgh then told
the agreement made between the Derby road
and the Court of Common Council, and
said Mr.. Sperry claims not to have taken
much interest in this matter, but would a
man hire a lawyer to look after this one
thing had he not taken particular interest in
it as he did, shown by the evidence. This
man was not the counsel of the road, but
special attorney hired for special purpose,
and he was paid big price for it. Now
what was this money paid for? Was he en-
ployed for legitimate purposes say that
he was not Had he been, Mr.. Sperry would
not pay the bill. Mr.. Sperry said.
as shown by, evidence, that, he did
money, and you members of the Common
Council know that your duty would not allow
a lobbyist inside the doors of your chambers,
and say that has been done. Don't want
him to spend much money!" For whats
What did Mr.. Sperry have in mind thens
Did he wish to limit him in the number of
hacks he was to hire or how many strangers
he was to have to guard the doors of the
chambers at these meetings? What was it?
It is not alone words that speak, but
actions; and I say that the way
these books of the corporation were sneaked
about looks suspicious and has a faint of
something wrong about it. The evidence
shows that all Mr.. Sperry wanted-to know
was the sentiment of the members of the
Board in the matter, and was not $500 too
much to pay for that? 1t looks like lobby
ing. do not say nor does the evidence show
that any individual was paid money for his
vote in this matter, but I do say the com
pany used some of the city's money
for some illegal matter. As to the story of
Mr.. Gum, his story has that air of truthful
ness and so consistent with other facts that
YOU will believe it. Mr.Gunn's story is true.
He told it on the same day to Mr.. Lake and
others, and it is true, gentlemen. Mr.. Wag-
ner was not going to make him millionaire,
but he would give him $50, as Mr.. Sperry
told him not to spend much money, and as
the conversation grew heated he offered him
more Who was it was put on Mr.. Gums
track by the Derby road with $3.50
but William J. Mills? And say
Mr. Gum has told you the truth. don't
make the charge of bribery here. but do
make the statement that it was attempted.
The testimony of Mr.. Martin also shows that
Mr.. Clark was offered money. I say, then,
that from all the circumstances surrounding
the matter it was not proper one, and was
illegitimate, and was to get the order passed
and if necessary to pay out money, but not
much money, as the Derby road didn't want
to pay out much.
got in his work in shape of an argument in
which he said: When we consider this ques-
ton was money used corruptly to corrupt a
municipal legislation, we want to know,
first, who used that money and how it was
used. The railroad company, at that time
composed of the best citizens of New Haven,
were to use this money, and what fora To
settle vexed question they wanted to put
out of the way. The body they were to
corrupt was our Common Council Now you
see that the men who were to corrupt
and the men who were to be corrupted are
as you know men who would not becorrust
ed. The Derby road did pay money to in
f1uence the Common Council in this manner
and claim that the Derby road had per
\ rect right to dc this, % all Legislatures ar