New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-29

character the lowest proposed, Its surroundings
were the most uns ghtly; incapable Of drainage
cold In winter and oppressively hot in summer II Is
the faiShest removed from the centre OF trade and
population.
This selection caused an outburst of indignation
the part Of the people. Tho Common Council imme-
dIately condemned the selection So did the Board
Of Supervisors. The Republican County Conyen.
Non did the same. and the Democratic County Con-
vention broke into pieces IT, will be explained
II was discovered that Bennett had paid Anstett S
hotel bill Of $40 delegation was sent 10 Wash
ington TO oppose the confirmation of Anstets report
Aidavfts were filed showing the improperly of the
selection the bribery of Anstett and the falsy of his
report, which a tissue Of unblushing fasehoods
He located the site at Wall and Henry sts, whereas
Henryst did not approach wallst. within two blocks
and TO reach 1t Henry-st would have TO DO opened
through the Episcopal church Anstett in his report
accepts the wa-st site at $4,000; 1t would have
been dear at $1,000. The year before. In the vaua-
ton contest between the city and the towns, four wit
.Aeeses, employed by tho towns at ten dollars day
TO swear up the value of city real estate, had only
valued the walst. site at 81 900, the highest valua
ton ever put upon 1t.
. AfHdavits of all these facts were fled with the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury. Without evidence Anstett's
report was fraud on the face Of 1t. The principal
Of the building would be post Office. An
ststt says In his report that and accessibility in
the distribution Of postofnco matter would be a
secondary consideration, and as the United States
Court would only be in session few weeks in the
scar, II convenient the depots would be all that
would be required AS matter of fact it is the most
announcement 10 tho depots OF any site offered But
Mr. Farchild Reform Secretary, and Charley
Davis was wanted to pack and conventions
TO renomnatc the great apostle Of rcform and though
Davis vas criminal in this matter, shown by the
records of the Department, the Secretary juno 81.
1887, confirmed Anstetts report, but cut the price
down to Sl5O0o--thrce times the value of the prop
erty.
Before accepting deed. according to the regula-
lions Of the Department the question Of title was
referred to United States District-Atorncy Daniel
lockwood, of Buffalo, and far action by the De-
partment concerned, the matter rested for some
time The people, however, did not give up hope,
and Democrats determined 10 show their dlsapproval
by electing delegates to the State Convention hostile
to Davis, with the hope that VIXEN Daviss power
gone the outrage would be rghted.
DAVIS, with number Of subordlnates from tho
Custom House, his own appoinlees, devoted several
weeks to manipulating and packing the Broome County
caucuscs. The last convention held septem-
"a, 1887. The result that the better element
Of the Democracy with Davis and his methods
vention and nominated Independent county ticket.
The boiling convention issued protest against Davis,
describing his methods and the scandalous violations
of Civ Service rules resorted to by him and his Gus
tom HonS subordnates TO control Broome County
Democratic, politics This protest was signed by
almost all of the Democrats of Bnghamton that had
been prominent in local politics The candidates
for member Of Assembly and County Treasurer of the
regular convention signed this protest, which for the
GpCf tlada In nYinf 10 M lr
against Davis. Shortly after, Davis net of those
prominent In the opposition to the Wailst site, and
promised to charge it said he would do it
he could get word 10 Bennett who was out West The
opponents of Davis and the Wallst site Immediately
after the county conventions formed the Broomc Dem
Ocratic Alliance, and late in October sent George W
Ray, of Norwich, to Washington, TO present the Wall
ST. outrage to the President in person. Mr. Ray
the President, had long private interview, fully
explained the outrage to the President and called his
ttenion to Davs's crminality. The President was
non committal, remarked in substance that If Davis
care OF him. and recommended Ray TO Anstett and
see II he would not change his report.
APPEALING IN VAIN TO CLEVELAND.
This interview occurred about October o. 1887.
On that day Ray presented Secretary Fairchid
AFFIDAVIT, showing that criminal prosecutions were
about 70 be begun against Davis, and that TO conduct
such prosecutions copies of the bids etc, file were
necessary, and asking for certified copies. The Sec
rotary pronounced 1t sufficient and RENTED the
affidavit TO Colonel Freret, the Supervising Architect,
who pronounced 1t sufficient and ordered the copies
desired made While in the Supervising Architects
office, Anstett came in, the affidavit and seemed
much disturbed by it, Ray and Anstett fell into
conversation and Anstet volunteered the remark that
he regarded the Olmsted the best site, and Mould
have reported in favor of that site II had not been
for the price Ray called Anstets attention 10 the
Tact that he had made a. great mistake IN his state
Anstet urgently requested Ray not to take his GER
tilted copies OF documents, that If no had few days
report in favor of the OImstcd site Ray returned
home, Anstett agreeing TO write in three four days.
II must be remembered that this was about two weeks
before the fall election that at this time when An
was making the same promise in Bnghamton. Or
November ? Anstett wrote to Ray, asking him to
piled but heard nothing further from Anstett until
afor elect ion when, under date of November Ia he
and uege was no further use discussing the merits of
the different sites In The meantime. Davis
last week before election, when he and his friends
came out and declared they cared nothing about the
Independent ticket, the State ticket would be ali right
and the site would not be changed
On The Friday night before election, at meeting
of the Alliance, 10 determined that the authorities
in Washington, and Davis IN Bnghamton, had only
until after election thai they had been iOolng the
people. that they calculated ii would now be too late
70 organize bolt of the State ticket and If the State
election went about usual that would be the last
OF the site matter The Alliance determined TO bolt the
was made against the ticket except in Bnghamton
aud two or three towns But the result was $500
eral hundred, in Broome County to any state or Ma
tiOnal ticket.
As has been said, the question Of title referred
10 Daniel Lockwood, of Buffalo, early In the summer.
Strong pressure was brought to bear on him from
parties very high in the Government 10 return favor
able report, but this official reported TO the Govern
ment THAI the title fatally defective This fact
was not learned until the spring Of 1853. Here was
chance for the Administration TO get out respectfully,
but against the settled policy OF the Government they
determined 10 take deed Of land the title 10 which
depended entirely upon doubtful adverse possession
AFTER the receipt of Anstctfs letters of November
ID, and on December 6, Ray wrote TO Supervising
Architect Breret for the documents promised by the
Secretary and Freret. Under dale OF December 49,
1887, the Supervising Architect replied 10 Ray The
Supervising Architect has no authority TO comply with
ro-- anida,it e hNre,vfh turned 10
youshe very affidavit, regularly filed in the Treasury
Department pronounced sufficient by the Sec Ieary of
the Treasury and the supervising Architect, and
shfsa the same Arcniect had ordered copies
made. Two days later Ray wrote TO
both 3 the Secretary Of the. Treasury and