New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-29
IT WAS TWEED'S OLD GAME.
BUT CLEVELAND REFUSED TO STOP IT.

PROSECUTION OF DEPUTY. COLLECTOR DAVIS
"A SAMPLE OF THE METHODS OF THE RE
FORM Observation-Disclosures OF
BRooME COUNTY DEMOCRATS WILL
RESENT IT AT THE POLLS THIS
FALL AS THEY DID YEAR AGO.
Blnghamton, Oct. 2s.-If there is thing sbova
another that any weilregated city may be expected
to delight in 1t is the erection of public build
ing binghamton is among tho best governed and
most patriotic cities in the Empire state tho Union,
but It would be almost impossible to find within her
limits reputable citizen. Democrat, Republican,
Independent or Prohbitionit who does not look upon
the new sl5o0o0 Federal building that is In process
VI CONSTRUCTION here as monument OF tho utter
hypocrisy VI the Administration, rather than pleas
ing object Of interest Indication Of the city's
progress The strength of this feeling may bs
measured by the fact that last year 1t caused over
1000 OF the most loyal Democrats In Bnghamton to
vote and work against their party, action that in
all probability, VIII be repeated this fall by twice =
many voters who supported Mr.. Clesel In 1884.
partial explanation Of this remarkable state Of
affairs has been given, but tho full facts OF the case
which forms one Of the more disgraceful proceedings
of the Reform Administration have never been told.
They are Interesting to every believer in clean honest
government, and as presented herewith may bo con-
sdcrcd entirely authentic, for they based upon
the Testimony given by highly respectable witnesses
before the United States Senate Investigating Com
mtee and tho declaration of Democratic residents OF
this city, whose standing in business and social circles
is unqucstioned. This is the story they tell:
Charles Davis, Deputy Collector Of NewYork,
was In the ea5lier part of his the travelling
salesman for a small wholesale liquor store here.
Not meeting with much success in this business, he
obtained cleical position In Of the Departments
at Albany under former Democratic stete Ad-
ministratior. Dan. Lamont the Presidents secro-
tary, fellow employe, and the two became ln-
innate friends hen Cleveland was elected Gcv-
ornor, Davis known as 4 defender Of
tho from Buffalo, bat late this feeling
changed and afer Cloveland's nomination
at Chi ago Davis openly declared ths' the Democratic
ticket could o be elected. He refused to work for
his n,ry aAi many here declare that ho actually
voted the RNJublcan ticket. No sooner, however,
had the result Of the election been announced than
Davis rushed off to Albany to congratulate Cleveland,
and from that time forth the most enthusiastic
admircr Of the President in Broome County. His ac-
ton staggered the loyal Democrats of Binghamton
and for tine the County Committse debated the Qucs
ton whether It would " SIT down. on Davis for hs
course during the campaign or LET the whole natter
pass unnodccd 1t finally decided that as lie was .
warm personal friend of Lamont, he might prove use
full Accordingly he was Endorsed for the position Of
deputy collector, and obtained the place through the
all powerful private secretary.
AN OUTRAGE, But CLEVELAND SIGNED 1T.
Shortly afterward the idea of provicng Binghamton
with new postofce building actively agtated. II
finally crystallized in bill approIratlng 100000
for the purpose This measure passed by Con-
gress in the spring of 1887 There grave doubts
as to whether the President would sign 1t. Davis
who at all times had access to the White House, was
on hand at the critical moment His account Of the
matter to confidential friends that the old mans
proved obstinate and ugly and that Cleveland said
the appropriation was outrage and he ought not to
sign tire bill. Davis suggested that there had been
already In Broome County the post Office.
the party somewhat divided the enemies of the
President In the party were active and If now the
President did not do something for his friends how
could his friends do anything for him. Accord.
ngly this Reform President, whose gorge rises
poor Widows pension OF few hundred dollars and who
this time laying the broad foundations of his
policy for capturing the local bosses in New-York
State that supposed to control and
ventons, signed the $4,000 appropriation outrage"
and doubtless proceeded TO salve his wounded con-
science with another pension veto.
Discussion as to the lOc alton Of the building mme-
diately began at Binghamton. Eleven sites
offered but only three seriously considered by
the people These were the 0msted, the Cary and
the Cong ngdon sites. At a meeting of tho Bnghamton
Board of Trade May 3O 1887, seventy seven members
expressed their preference by vote, viva voce and
the Board of Trade very fairly represented the senti-
ment of the people. seveny-two votes were cast for
these sites and about equally di ided between tho
throe. The wall-st. site, afterward selected did
receive vote and its proposal was regarded by the
people huge joke. Mr. Davis came to Bingham
ton and represented that HIS influence at Washington
would control the location. He went to the owners Of
the Cary site, Messrs. Cary, Brown, Robinson and
Wilkinson and told them that II he could get q
conditional contract from them for the site
and put in the bid 1t In his name.
the site would be chosen. They all
united in contracts to Davis by which he to have
the privilege Of taking tho site at S367o0 at any
time before July l. 1887. Davis was to put the site
In his bid the at that price and receive
$3.50 for his trouble. That was the arrangement he
made as these gentlemen understand 1t. He obtained
similar contracts on number OF other
Sites 1t should be said that he and
one Bennett. rich banker. from tho
first operating together; Bennett obtained op-
tons pieces, Davis on Others. Bennett tried
get options the Omsed site saying he could con-
troll the location. The parties owning 1t wero
fdent that they refused tho option and then in
formed By Bennett that the building would not 20
there.
Davis and Bennett owned site together down on
the fats of the Chenango River. II was known
tho waIlst. sfte Bennett also owned . largo
amount of vacant real estate in the vicinity. Whom
the bids opened the OF the Cary site
surprised AMI disgusted to find that Davis had
fraudulently reserved nearly one-haf Of that site for
himself putting in the balance at the S3675o SO that
had the building been located there Davis would have
made out of the land reserved from fifteen to twenty
thousand dollars. The effect Of putting in the bid
In that way to mako the site too small and the
| price too high.
A CLEAR VIOLATION OF THE LAW
OF course, the taking Of these contracts plain
violation Of sections ,7el and 1852 Of the Revised
Statutes Of the United States, which, In substance for
bid a Government official from directly or Indirectly
receiving agreeing to receive any compensation
gratuity consideration whatever for procuring or
aiding TO procure any decision, contract claim
from the Government Or any officer Departments
thereof, and subject the offender to fine Of s10OO0
Imprisonment for two years. and disqualify such
porsoD from holding Office under the Government In