New-York tribune., 1888-08-26
MR.. MORRISON TESTIFIEs.
CLOSING THE AQUEDUOT INQUIRY.
AN INTERESTING WITNESS WHO COULDN'T
REMEMBER.


THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR ADMITS THAT HE
RECEIVED $4,000 IN FEES FOR SOCIAL visIIs
MR. FAssETT ANGRY AT THE ABSENCE
OF Mr.. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ON
THE INVESTIGATION
John Brunton did not care TO undergo ano'her
ordeal before the Aqueduct Investigation Comm't
tee Yesterday. lie the first witness calieo ior
but he did not answer to his name and his counsel
Mr.. Cantinc. stepped forward and said that he had
received telegram from his client, in winch brun-
ton said that he had not been subpoenaed Tor that
day, and he was going home to Poughkeepsie'
but that the committee had his ledger and journal
IL think it was in the Mcdonald case.' said Mr
Nicor that the witness left the committee anu
was duly incarcerated for contempt
1t will be a good deal like chasing shadow
to chase Brunton," said Senator Fassett.
II suppose have the authority OF the commit
tee to proceed to invoke the criminal statute for his
punishment" said Mr.. Nicon.
He was told that he could take all the steps IN
his power Mr. Cantine hoped the committee
would not imagine that he had anything 10 90
with the witnesss flight. The commlttee' OF
course disavowed any such suspicion. linen Mt
Cantine looking mad at the turn things had taken
walked RAPIDLY out of the room.
ACQUAINTED WITH MR.. MORRISON.
Frank NJ Pierce, whose business is machinery,
testified that he knew Richard j. Morrison and
met him about the time the contracts were let to
Brunton & Co. The witness sold Brunton q Co.
a part of their plant, but his dealings were en-
tirely with Mr Brunton. and not with MORRISON,
though Morrison might sometimes have been
present at the negotiations.
Mr. Lovatt, on behalf of contractor d. d. Nc
Bean. asked the witness what he thought about
the way in which Mclean conducted his wo-lS on
the Aoueduct His method was eminently
good" was the reply.
Mr.. Beckwth took the stand and testified that
he had heard Mr.. Brown swear that Mclean was
partly responsible for the bad work on Brown,
Howard & Co.'S sections. II never regarded him
as responsible" he said.
o.-on whom did you think the responsibility rested
A-wcl the city had their expert engineers there all
in full and complete control Of the work When
ever there anything wrong and attention was
called to It. Immediately repaired It.
Senator Fassett-Dd you hear that Mr.. lie Fevre
had been General Thomas with the same story which
Mr. Mclean says told him about the Commissioners
Al heard from Mr.. Mclean
o.-was any ono else present when lie Fevre called
on McBcani A.-Mr. Wolker present when 10
Fevre was there. He is clerk in the onice Of Mr.
Mclean He did hear the conversation.
Q.-Did you talk with David Paige about I'll A.
NO. SIR
Mr. Nicol-And you did not tell Brown or any OF
your other partncrsl A-No. sir. do not look at 1t
idle that lie Fevre was there at that time
and had that conversation with Mr. Mclean, but as TO
buying the Commissioners know better than that.
Mr. Beekman-Dd you understand that Mr.. Brown told
that three Commissioners called on him together'
Ayes, Sir
Q.-And he testified that they not togetheri A.
Yes, sir.
senator Fassett-There is substantial difference
tween Mr.. Browns statement and yoursf A.-Yos
But stated to you what Mr.. Brown sad TO me, not
what Mr. Brown himself said on the stand yesterday
Mr.. MORRISON SPEAKS FOR HIMSELF
Richard J. Morrison, clothed all in black, and
looking pale and worn was the next witness. He
told De Lancey Nicoll that he a lawyer, that
in 1872 he was clerk in the Controllers office
He was next supervisor of " The City Record"
Mr. Nicoll-The place graced by the Honorable
Thomas Cosigani
Mr. MoIrisson-Now occupied by Nj. Costgan. (Laugh-
ter)
The witness said that he was next appointed
president of the Board of Excise. and that was in
the latter part of December. 1873. He was then
a member of Tammany Hall, but he had belonged
to political organization since 1880. lie re-
signed from the presidency of the Excise Board
after he had held it for three years. Then he be-
came counsel to the Police Board. That was dur
ing Mayor Graces time, and when Mr.. Grace was
again elected Mayor, in the fall of 1884. he be-
came his private secretary, and so remained until
October, es5, when he got the office OF Public
Administrator, which he has held ever since Mr
carthed from Brunton q Co.'s sections. w. j.
Kelly had the contract
Q.-when did you last Brunoni Al saw him
last evening the Hotel Royal Sixthave where he
had been several days met him In Chamoersst tho
Hrst day he ubpoenaed here think 1t was Tucsday
stayed with him hotel last night for about an hour
and he remained there when left It, Mr. Barlow VINO
employed In some Of the city departments was with
us part Of and heard some OF our conversation
Odd Brunton tell you he was coming here as
| vitness Al ir.
through (Laughter) l
| INTENDING TO LOOK INTO THE NATTER,
The witness went on to state that he saw Brun-
ton and Ryan in the fall of 1ss5. He told Ryan
it would be good thing to get some OF the con-
tracts on the Aqueduct. In December Brunton
came to New-York. He told Mr.. Morrison that he
| had come with the intention of looking into the
matter Brunton stayed most OF the time at the
| Barrett House, and Mr. Morrison visited him fire.
| quenty, but mostly in a social way.
| o.-Aftcr he made his bid did you do anything you
| could TO help him get the contract A.-No. sir
Odd you have any conversation with MI Grace at
| his object Al did
| o-Dldn't you say that Ryan Biuntons response
Bile man, and that they would be able TO carry out the
| contracts7 Ayes, sir.
o-You know, do you not that Grace advocated Brun
ton and Ryan before the Commissionersf Yes sir
| FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR SOCIAL VISITS.
Mr. Nicoll got the books, the ledger and journal
He called Mr.. Morrsson's attention to the first
recorded payment by Mr.. Brunton to him, Of
| 81 800 on the 7th Of April 886.
o.-That loan. suppose A-No, sir; don't
| think 1t was. D
o.-Do you know what It vast Any recollection Is
that It was payment for services as counsel N.Y.
Ryan said that he would give me 50 600 for acting ~ 'her
counsel in matters would arise pending that contract
Olive thousand dollars II Ayes sir
O-Have you not Just sworn to me that all your VISITS
IN Brupton were Of a social characteri Ayes sir.
Q-Do you say you were to get So 600 or your
|
Al mean to say after this contract was awarded
Mr RYAN said that should. Afterward L asked MIR.
prupton to make in payment account
Odd you draw paper for Brunton Co
vos think nlled out their
hid drew contract Mr.. Ryan and Mr. Brunton,
and drew uapcr between the who indemnned tho