New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-12
REFUSED TO BE BRIBED.
LATEST PHASE OF THE ASSEMBLY CEILING
INVESTIGATION.
STARTLING STATEMENT MADE BY MEMBER
OF THE ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COM,
MITTEE-FIvE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR
wHIrEwAsHING REPORT.
[Br TELEGRAPH TO the rRIBuNEl

wHITEwAsHING REPORT.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuNE1
Albany, Feb 1.-The members Of the Assembly
were discussing with good deal of excitement
tonight a statement which had been made by a
Democratic member of the Committee on Ap-
preparations. 1t will be remembered that this
committee was directed by the Assembly, about
three weeks ago, to make an investigation into
the reconstruction of the Assembly Chamber cell
ing, and to learn whether or not the State had
went to work by suggesting that experts be ap-
pointed to examine the ceiling and learn its
character. The experts have not yet made their
report The members of the Committee on APP
propriatons are Ainsworth, Cottrell, Hughes,
Brown, Clark, Carson, Stevens and Larmon, Re
publicans; Greene, Martin and O'Neil, Democrats.
One of the Democratic members, it is reported,
says that while he was in New-Yorl1
City on Saturday evening he was approached by a
notorious lobbyist who is reported to have had a
share in the Assembly Chamber ceiling contract
and offered $4,000 If he would make whitewash-
ing report upon the results Of the investigation.
In whose company will l be?" the Assembly
man Is reported to have asked.
Oh, in the company Of five other members Of
the committee the lobbyist is said to have replied
Then the Assemblyman is reported to have said
that not for $4,000 would he be bribed on the
Assembly ceiling matter. Within an hour after
ward the Assemblyman who was approached is said
TO have related this attempt to bribe him to two
other members Of the Assembly.
When the Assemblyman who is reported to
have thus had his virtue assailed was asked
tonight II the statement given above was true
he declined to say anything. about the subject
He would not deny, however, that he had been
approached By lobbyist "All that 1 will say
about IL is this he said, namely. that could
not be bribed with $4,000, to make white
washing report-not IL ten other members Of the
Committee on Appropriations had agreed to sign
il | have nothing 20 say tonight about the
matter. but l may have something 70 say at
the proper time
IL is said that an attempt may be made to-
morrow 70 deprive the Committee on Appropra-
tions Of the right TO make the investigation. and
10 persuade the Assembly 10 appoint u special
committee TO make the investigation. The men
named for members OF the special committee are
Assembymen Fish, Batcheller, Gibbs, AspinaD,
Crosby Sheldon and Bumenthal. An Assembly
man who has been absent for week. brings back
the report that he has been independently inyest-
eating the Assembly Chamber ceiling matter, and
that he will have some important revelations TO
mako about his discoveries. To-morrow's session
of the Assembly promises to he stormy one. in
view OF the statement made By the Democratic
member of the Committee on Appropriations.
Doubtless an investigation will be made at once
as to the truthfulness Of his statement.