New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-11
WAS 1T A DEAL, GOVERNOR?
THE GOVERNOR AND AQUEDUCT COMMITS.
SION.
Mr. HILL REFusIs TO TALK ABOUT THAT BORROWED
$2O.OCO-MR FAssErT ASKS TIE sENATETo
MAKE AN INVESTIGATION OF THE
PUBLIC SERVICE IN THIS CITY.

| 90" AiLh REF UsIS TO TALK ABOUT THAT BORROWED
| $Zo.oCO-MR FAssErT ASKS TIE SENATE TO
MAKE AN INVESTIGATION OF THE
PUBLIC SERVICE IN THIS CITY.
ALnASr. April 10 SpeciaD-The Senate was called
upon to-day In a resolution introduced by Senator
Fassett to investigate the official conduct of the Board
Oh Aqueduct Commissioners Of New-York Tho reso-
| luton declares that:
It has snS s re and that
rget that gross corruption exists jury system Of said
hsy Hy Ies tant y N said city public oaes and eapoymens
Political parties and candidates Tor such Office and e@
S's ana spd ps o Ss se e
public are awarded dfTSe4sss % yo Hf es c
Chapter Vs. @ @ o sss was Tas
have e'is been dome
s1ass
'Oqs: Sy Ss
Special committee q this senate With pOwcr and au,
and charges and that said committee have full power to
1e aSS IN R,dn ay ana sn eye re IN ,nd M
report Information required by this resolution that said
SnS 1s in is Judgment the public Interests REQUIRE said
papers to employ stcnoqrapheT and such Counsel ac.
in e The Committee 'Hs ha II eS IT'S
m s m &c b Sd ba 10 the GG 4E eo ma
be enacted to suppress said evils.
1t cannot be said that the Senators were much
surprised at tho Introduction Of such resolutions.
There has been such uproar in New-York lately
regarding the proceedings of the Aqucduct Commission
that in the natural course Of things resolution for
tho appointment of investigating committee to
bc expected Some of the friends OF the Aqueduct
Commissioners, notably Asscmbyman Shcchan, whose
brother Is secretary OF the commission say that they
welcome investigation and are confident that the
Commissioners will be able to show that tho charges
against them baselcSs. Nevertheless, Senator
Fassetts resolutions from present Appearances Will
not have the hearty support of the Democratic Scna
tors who freely declaring that tho Democratic
members OF the Board Of Aqucduct Commissioners
court investigation.
Before Senator Fassct introduced his resolution
there had been talk in the Senate Chamber privately
among the Senators In regard to the article printed I'm
Tho Press of New York to-day accusing Governor
Hill OF having obtained $4,000 from O'Brlen G.
Clark, tho Aqucduct contractors, when a candidate for
Governor in 1885, and afterward, when Governor in
1886, reorganlzing the Board of Aqueduct Commits
sioncrs in the interest of O'Brcn & Clark
Tho Governor, when spoken to on the subject, said
to Tho Tribune correspondent that he did not care
to mako any statement In regard to " The PresS'
Mr.. Fassett in his resolution, however, clearly
seeks to have inquiry made about the clrcum-
stances attending tho Governors action in reOrganzng
the Board of Aqucduct Commissioners in 1856 Chap
ter 337 of the laws OF 1886 dropped Mayor Grace
the Governor to appoint three new commissioners.
The Governor signed this act despite the protest OF
many citizens OF New-IOlk lie then appointed f. l..
Oliver W. Barnes and Hamilton Fish, j.,
The resolution of Mr. Fassctt would authorize a
special committee to learn whether Governor Hill
mado deal with any one for the appointment Of
Messrs. Rldgway, Barnes and Fish.
In relation to this resolution Senator Fassctt after
ward said: The resolution was not Introduced by
a belief that tho Legislature should learn the truth
Or falsehood of the many charges which nave been
by the Board of Aqueduct Commissioners OF New York
Here is board which has been expending millions
will cXpcnd nine or ten millions more. Why Is 1t
NOT good idea TO balance the books at this timel
Then as 10 the Jury system of New. York, have
noticed lately many complaints that it is corrupt;
Gs at 4S TS%O ws sS9 and s TsS of a
prison. The Department OF Charities and correction
sbaaa aaI charge 'heso consde Ps aso
he purchase OF nominations for Office by rich cand-
lates and the brbng Of & voters S which doiowS vd dae
York upon the various candidates Such state OF |
affairs II II IS permitted to continue will endanger the
state Tho Legislature should takc steps to expose
he evil and pass laws to remedy IT, But the starting
point Is thorough investigations"
deraion Of senator FasSctts resolution and, there
orc, It was laid on tho table.
ald tonight that ho loaned the $4,000 to Governor
Hill In 1855, and that The firm of O'Brien IL Clark had
It was my personal loan" said Mr.. OBrlen, and
that OF tho firm Of 0Brlcn d Clark; nor had the
|
I'LL subsequently took up the notes. II is absurd
o connect tho giving OF the notes with the appoint
ncnt Of tho now OF Aqueduct Commissioners In |
1885, Tho firm Of O'Brien e Clark made all of their
reat contracts with the old set of commissioners be
orc Fish, Rldgway and Barnes came into tho board,
)ut OF contracts the amount Of SS56,00O for new
work. on the Aqueduct made by the commissioners |
ince Fish, Rldgway and Barnes put in the board
he firm OF 'Brcn & Clark has received contracts to
he amount of only $4,000 The contracts that We
ave received were merely for four new shafts In the
york that We had obtained from the old Board OF
OmmIs sIoncrs.n |
The fact IS recalled that Governor 1lll arrived
{ his homo I'm Elmira two days before the election OF
Ss5 and that tho Democratic leaders there never had
O much money at election they had at that
ne. Tho result that Chemung County, which
ad given Mr. Blaine majority I'm 1884. gave Mr. |
I'LL 900 majority. There have boon Few such |
emarkable changes in the political complexion OF a
ounty as there were In Chemung County those two