New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-21
CHARGES AGAINST COY. Hill L.
ONE OF HIS FORMER TOOLS SPEAKS OUT.

JOHN LIVINGSTON. WHO WAS PAID TO MALIGN
REPUBLICANS. MAKES A STATEMENT
In sThe Emira Daily Advertiser Of Thursday
appeared statement from John Livingston explaining
some Of his peculiar relations with Governor David b.
Hill in the campaigns of 1885 and 1887 and also with
the Governors lieutenant and Law partner, Judge
william l. Muller. The statement is in the form Of
letter to ex-senator Thomas O. Platt and embraces
three general charges.
The first is against the State Dairy Commissioners,
Josiah X. Brown. According to Livingston, Mr.
Brown hired ard paid him. ut the request OF ELL, to
lobby bill through the Legislature for the Governor
and also to get certain plank inserted In the platform
adopted at the Democratic State Convention held at
Saratoga In September. 1885, For these services
Livingston asserts that he was paid by Mr.. Brown
out Of the regular appropriation made by the Legs
laturo TO the Dairy Department and refers for proof
Of this to the records of the State Controllers Office
BARGAIN NOT CARRIED OUT
The second charge deals more directly with tho
Governor. Livingston claims that in the fall OF
1895 he had in his possession some Erie documents
among which q seventy four page pamphlet
written by Hill for Jay Gould and James Fisk, TO
prevent the repeal Of the Erie Classification act Hill.
he says offered him 500 for 1t, through ]. O. Luey
who Muller's campaign clerk and Is now an
auditor In the Aoueduct Commission Livingston &C
oepted the offer and gave Lulley the pamphlet with
the understanding that the money should be paid tho
following morning, october 81. This agreement was
not kept. Payment deferred for three days and
then only after repeated reminders, In the form Of
telegraph messages, which Livingston declares
fle did the Governor forward by Lulloy half the
agreed upon Livingston says: "Lulley came to my
room, ga Windsor Hotel, that night October 80,
1885, and saying that Governor Hill was hard up as
be had been cleaned out, paid me $50 only, adding
that he would do better next time"
Tho last count in the Indictment refers to tho
Governors newspaper, "The Elmlra GazetteP for
which Livingston wrote great deal during the cam
paigns In praise Of Hi and against certain Repub-
ncans particularly Mr. Plat. Livngston's pay for
this work TO be obtained from such Of the Gov
erners nominees as the Senate confirmed. This has
been done, he says, and mentions instance, that
OF Michael Richard who, no declares, paid him 500.
HILLS FRIENDS HAVE ENDORSED THE WITNESS
"The Advertiser" in commenting Uvingstons
statement. remarks that Livingston Is not witness
that 1t would summon this any other case
had no not been first called by Hill himself Last
fall 1t continues " HIPS newspaper, The Elmira
Gazette was loaded down with this mans letters.
under his signature, pretending TO give testimony
against certain Republicans for the purpose Of ad-
vancing the Hill schemes 1t is only fair. Mr. Hill
having started the thing that tho other side DO given
q hearing also According to The Gazettes edl-
tor certifcation OF last fall. Lvingstons testimony
deserves careful Weighing and consideration. The
Advertiser Is therefore saved the necessity Of ex
pressing any opinion upon that question 1t Is for
The Gazette to discuss.D Lvingston's exposure,
It maintains. involves the Editor of The Gazette
and demands from him explanation
| A CHANCE FOR EDITORIAL EXPLANATION.
| Mr. HILL" it says in conclusion will probably
mako explanation at least not until after has
consultation with Muller and Contractor O'Brien
| he did last week before attempting a reply to the
charges OF The NewYOrA Press But The Gazette ,
editor need not wait so long. There is reason
why he shouldn't explain this matter. far he IS
concerned. in this afternoons Gazette Let him say
whether or not the whole campaign OF last fall was,
as The Advertiser showed at the time. one OF tho
most unprincfpled. wicked and dabolical plots TO
stoal election nom the Republicans by tho dc
hberae assassination of character and the employment
OF degrading and corrupt means on the part OF Hill
| and his lieutenants. OF whom he is one. Tho Ad-
vertiser hopes that The Gazette editor VIII be-
able to mako such explanation that, II John
Livingston should publish letters bearing tho editors
signature, the public may believe that they referred
simply to missionary work among the Zuus and not
| to any political corruption or to any unprnciped
| agencleS.n