New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-09
MAJOR SMITHS Defence.
WITNESSES TESTIFY IN HIS BEHALF.
HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
APPARENT IRREGULARITIES.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO TRIDUSKJ

HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
APPARENT IRREGULARITIES.
[Br TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
PHILADEI PHIA. Sept. S.-The fourth day OF
the Councils Committee Investigation into the charges
against Mayor Smith begun this morning. Mayor
Smith, Private Secretary Linton and Inspection Clerk
Fell were present Witnesses for the defence were ex-
amned. The first wa Johh mclaughlin who sold the
ne revolvers to the Police Department He said that
the price s. 40 each and that to-day the
nen could part with them readily at much higher az
ure He swore that the Mayor did not make penny
out Of the transaction Chief OF Police Stewart testified
that during 1854 all police fines handed to him.
He invariably paid the money the days to tue
City Treasurer as follows September q, 500 o. Octo-
Der = slG So; October 10 50 81 turned the money
in" said ne. the principle that never want TO hold
money that don't belong In 1855 and 1856 the
money turned Mr.. March. as the fines were
hight, aud had adopted new rule The witness was
questioned at length In regard to the seven dummy
policemen who were carried on the rolls and VINO dreW
salary regularly. All that he would say In reply
was that two Of tnem-Wsrrou King ana william Lang
we're on secret duty refused to dvuge their proper
names. that the others were Fauaso III many ways
TO the department
Secretary Linton called and in response to ques
tons in regard 10 me five altered checks OF pawnbroses
he testified ~ follows: Ny rule was TO refuse check.
II payable to the City Treasurer. In many instances
the Mayor did no face OF the checks probably
IN one or two instances may have altered check but
il was done with full knowledge and consent OF the
person paying the money. induced the Mayor 10 put
the fees IN his account There delay IN dispos-
Ing or the money It's receipt
"were those checks OF MoGarrys changed in the
object"
"Idou't know; never saw them: II checks were
payable to the City Treasurer changed them POSI-
lively refuse 70 accept checks unless payable to the
Mayor or bearer"
The witness admitted making up the MAYORS accounts
and depositng the Fidelity Bank all moneys received
for license fees The money, well as checks. was In
every case placed TO the order Of william B. smith,
treasurer"
The witness was asked: " Do you assume the blame
for the irregu!aritiesl"
-" don't think that there were any Irregularities
Not by me. Only the Mayor and myself had charge
OF the fees All that done was conscientously done
How many pavnbrokers have been doing husiness
this year IN violation OF the law I"
Isaac H. Shields the Mayors private counsel, testified
that he mad advised the Mayor that the money
applying for licenses wss money received as the
agent Tor the PawhorOTer. ana na not S'coas NE
thought wrong TO turn the money into the city
crnse were not issued the man would be put expense
in getting his money back
following the fne OF his private secretarys aud his
communication to the committee. and sad
81 have always had more at command than IA In
volved this matter. could bave paid the money out
OF my own safe at any time 0ut ! thought that
had better send 10 by check. In relation o the dog
money mad kno wledge that the city received this
money In regard the oil licenses. believe THAI both
The Mayor aud Fire Marshal did what they did with
the 1t would benefit the city in improving the
| risks against fire."
He was aware that the pawnbrokers were doing
business without license but II was not his province
10 correct the matter He kept record OF the pay
ments and frsanently urged Major hurry the
pawnbrokers Interrogated rs TO the Endorsement OF
the checks said IL was the custom OF Major Linton to
bring the close OF each day and lay them face
downward his desk He Endorsed them Dot know
/ a
said:
When the account was overdrawn and the two
checks protested was absent from the city. When
eft | placed in Major Lutons hands sum OF money
sufficient to pay FOR than the two checks protested
I'm ascertAinng condition OF my account before go
ing away overlooked the two checks In question. and
tLonght had larger balance than really had. The
cheeks were returned my office IN sealed envelopes
Major Linton had authority 10 open them aud they
protest. As soon as discovered the error the
checks we're made good
He added that he always Kept money in his safe and
sometimes had as much as $4,000 there.