Morning journal and courier., 1886-09-10
THE BRIBERY HEARING,

THE BRIBERY " HEARING. | A Large Number of Spectators Pres. eRt-Mr. Sargent Reinforced With COunsel-A Very.Hnterest1ng Session | Ex-COuncilman Gum Tells How H< ! Was Offered Money for His Vote-A Rigid Cross-Exam1n ation-The Case Continued to Next Week. very large audience gathered at room 1( | in the City Hall last evening to hear the con-
 tinuance of the bribery proceedings as
 charged by Mir. J. B. Sargent against certain members of the Court of Common Council
 for 1884 The fact that it was understood ! that ex-Councilman Gum would testify as to
 what he knew about money being offered for
 votes on the Derby railroad matter was what
 drew out the spectators. Ex-Judge Blyden-
 burgh also appeared as counsel for Mr. Sar-
 gent for the first time, which meant that the
 proceedings would at least be more interest
 ing than on previous evenings.
 After the committee had seated themselves
 at the long table, Joel A. Sperry was asked
 if he could and would present any bills or
 checks or correspondence he may have in l connection with this case.
 | MT. Sperry replied that he could not find 1 his check book, and presumed it was burned
 
 1 receipt for the money paid MT. Wagner, l which he produced. He said he had not l been able to find MT. Wagner's bill | MT. Tyler objected to this line of examina- | tion on the ground that the matter had all l been gone over the previous evening. MT. Blydenburgh said tine committee would | see the connection before he got through.
 Judge Blydenburgh-Whatd did MT. Wag ! ner do for this money that you paid him? ''I did not see his work, but I think he
 did what he was hired to do. have no per- ] sonal knowledge of what he did do.'' l ''At what hearing was this employment of 1 MT. Wagner to be exerciseda'' | 'No particular hearing. l simply under ! Stood that he was to represent the road be- | fore the Aldermen and Councilmen. ''How much was paid MT. Mills according | to MT. Wagner's bill p
 'fI think it was about S200; it may have | been $250."
 "When the bill was brought to you did ! the Derby road have any money in the trea- ] sury"
 "Well, they were pretty short at that time and were borrowing money" Continuing, MT. Sperry stated that the bill of MT. Wagner was not paid until the whole matter was settled and the Court of Common Council of that year had gone out of exist ence.
 ''I understand that you have testified that you kicked at the amount of MT. Wagner's bil Now will you tell us what explanation MT. Wagner made in regard to the amount of the bill?'
 Objected to by MT. Tyler, on the ground that this matter between attorney and client and was not admissible on that ac- count
 The committee took 8 recess of five min utes to consult as to the admissibility of the question. As they were passing out MT. Sperry said he should decline to give the conversation between himself and MT. Wag- ner regarding the bill. When the committee returned Alderman Dickerman stated that in the opinion of the committee the question was admissible.
 Judge Blydenburgh repeated his question. MT. SperIy replied that MT. Wagner stated that the case had been carried along longer than he expected which accounted for the expense.
 FtDid you ever know what MT. Mills was employed for?"
 ssNo did not.''
 'What did you say to MT. Wagner when you objected to the bills"
 ''I don't think it necessary to repeat what I said got off all could from the bill and then paid it. did not want any fight over it; I had no time to fight"
 MT. Tyler-Mr. Sperry, how long was MT. Wagner employed by you in legal capac-
 My impression is that it was about three months.
 "Was there any injunction put on the road during this timeF'
 "There was; most certainly" |
 Judge Blydenburgh-What did MT. Wag- ner do in connection with the injunctiona
 I think I told him to consult with Govern or Ingersoll in regard toit.
 Ex-Councilman Charles s. Gum was next called and after being sworn was told by MT. Blydenburgh that he could go on and tell his own story in his own way.
 Witness said that he first received 8 note f0 of hSc T went to see him and he wanted to know why I opposed the Derby railroad in this measure There were two reports from the Board of Finance,.a a majority and a minority report. ! told him that I sustained MT. Graves be- | cause thought his report fair. Wag- ner said, we'll, I tell you how it is, l George. would like to have l you help out the Derby road. told him I I would think the matter over and perhaps I l might change my mind. That was all at l that interview. After this there was a meet ! ing of the Common Council and matters be- | came somewhat complicated. Afterwards I ! met Wagner and he said, d-n it, Gum why l don't you let mp on that matters He said, am interested in this matter and want to have it go through. I have got a little in- terest in land transaction down at West Haven, and I want to see this matter settled so that we can build branch road to West Haven and run over the Derby road. We could make favorable bargain for a term of years.
 1 said to him, who is interested in this business?
 He said Congressman Mitchell, Mir. Mills and MT. Waddingham were interested. Mean while another gentleman came along and Wagner said have told Gum all this busi- ness; he would not be satisfied until I told him all about it. 1 met him day or two after, think by appointment; no, it was by accident. I met him coming from the post ! office and we walked along together to a lamp post and stood talking this matter up. Finally said to him: Wagner, is there any money in this thing? He stopped and thought a moment lifted up his head and said: No, there is not much; we have got a majority of the Council now, and there aint much use in putting out any more money. I said: You have got a majority, but how are you going to stave off votea He said it would have to come to a vote by and by. He says well, Gum, will tell you what I will do with you if you will go ahead and see this though the Council. will make it right with you. I says what do you meana He says will make it little fee. I says how much? He says, well, mind you, this must go through the Council beforehand. We'll, says I, how mucha Well, he says, we have not got much money; will make it forty dollars.