New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-15
WHO IS MR.. TRENOR 2
AsSEMBLYNfAN MARTIN TELLS TIE STORY
OF THE MANS ATTEMPT TO BRIBE HIM

INTERESTING TESTIMONY BROUGHT OUT BE-
FORE THE COMMITTEE on APPRoPRIA'
TIoNs-ARcHITEcT RowE's EVIDENCE
"a ooNTUSiAcIoUs CORRESPONDENT.
tsr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE,
Albany Feb. l4-EveYy member Of the Lesslaturs
that could do attended this afternoon the court that
was held in the Assembly parlor by the COMMITTEES
on Appropriations acting judges in the case Of the
Assembly Ceiling Committee against Dame Kumor.
Fully 800 persons were In the courtroom when Mr..
Answorth called the assemblage to order The
judges directed their inquiries In three different direc-
ons. In the first place. It was sought TO be learned
whether attempt had been made to bribe one OK
the members Of The court A newspaper correspondent
then put upon the rack, To compel him to state
hts authority for the truth Of certain statements he
had made about the judges. Lastly, the Assembly
ceiling matter reached and the architect who
drew the plans for the ceiling gave HIS testimony.
The architect testified that there was an alternative
clause in the contract, which permitted the Of
papermache panels in the ceiling; aud furthermore,
that such panels costly than quartcred oak
panels, which the Superintendent Of Public Buildings,
Mr. Andrews could have had put I'm the ceiling. The
newspaper correspondent, having declined to answer
certain questions put TO him, the committee will re-
port his conduct TO the Assembly tomorrow and there
IS therefore prospect of another kind of conflict
arising.
Mr.. Ainsworth opened the court by saving that
Mr. Sinclair, the manufacturer Of the paper-mache
panels, and Mr. Rowe, the architect, were present;
but that of the judges, Assembyman John Martin.
deSIed first 20 describe to his fellows the attempt
which had been made to brbe him. Mr.. Martin. out
Of dclcacy did not occupy seat on the bench, but
stood up in the witness box and said
Il wish TO give my testimony, because feel that
the criticisms Of the newspapers my course are
unjust. l have made one statement regarding the
into brb undo
There arc few men who would have had much
1 had on Tuesday in the Assembly, under
such a fire Of questions as l had to endure. would
like to make additional statement Immediately"
You do 50 now, Mr. Martini said Mr. Aims
worth, leaning over the back Of a chair.
Then Mr. Martin said:
The first ntimauon that had OF this matter .
week last Saturday. I think 1t was about the be-
ginning Of the month returned home, where found
letter awaiting me, signed J. B. Trenor.
Mr.. Answorth-Have you that letter with youf
Mr.. Mardn-No. SIR have got IT, hut think
have IL at hvme, and you will have to wait until
90 home for it. 1t a matter which attached
little importance at the tlme not for moment
dreaming that it would lead to what It has since II
have it at home. WIZ produce it TO this committee
on that saturday morning, as L was saying, found
letter signed J. B. Trenor Ons OF the papers quoted
John B. Tranor who was employed under at tho
Democratic National Committee but 1 have
that gentleman November The letter requested
NE to the the Morton House. in New.YorE,
at 10 o'clock the following morning. but II
IL O'Clock, probably, before L got there. When
L got thor9 1 met a gentleman standing outside,
and although his face unknown to me- he evidently
knew very wen, and addressed Mr.. Martin.
asked him what he desired for, and said:
reference AIbany-the matter az present
under investigation by the Appropriations Committee
and he asked into the Morton House have drink
and talk this matter over told him that didn't
talk politics in the cafe OF the Morton House. as
pretty well known there.
nrba bo
is necessary that go anywhere is IT," and so
bsde him good-by. He came along with me- however
and we walked down Broadway together He said that
my interest in this matter would b. looked aftor and
that there several interests be looked after.
said IF the which Albany at
true it is not going to impcate Speaker Co
at all. When the evidence is submitted he will be
entirely free from blame"
He said he knew all about It. .'rven7 said "it
you know all about IT, then what you coming
for2 II the evidence is going to clear entirely the
Speaker, why do you como 10 me- "Wen' he said.
There other interests involved the matter" but
he refused tell what thoss other interests Ho
said it didn't make any difference, and he added that
we would find out in time what these interests were
told him that It go into the matter and
that in conversation with the members OF the House and
with others, had formed my views and did propose
to change them. He said that that position would not
be iudcious In the interest Of the person he represented
1 told him didn't whom he represented. and no
didn't have money enough TO buy me. We'll" he said
| a
SO 000" 1t suggested itself my mind during the
yersation that It would be good idea string this
along and endesvor TO find out. possible, who he
and represented; and then him before
committee and have him testify In regard what he
knew about the matter.
W. continued the conversation about the matter along
down Broadway, with that intention IN my mind when
It suddenly flashed that there was gr'at
Of trouble in Albany last winter with Mr.. Ihelps
and an unknown person. and 1 said to myself, at IS
/ fG Qpnr ma
myself and then probably make It public" Thinking
that my mind determined that the conversation
should stop ami 1 said 1T is use talking over this
matter and l VIII bid you good morning. That was
about the corner OF CanaI-st. and Broadway 1 then
started to leave him. but he called back and said:
do do anything in this matter until see you again.
1 heard nothing more about the matter until
1 home again. Then my mother told
me that gentleman had called that morning, who
had declined his business but said that
no at the earliest possible moment and
mother told him that In the habit OF being az home
from o'clock until evenings when IN the cry From
the description gave ne there IS doubt but that
It was the party that had seen before left
that I would be home again at O'Clock on Mon
day went homo at o'clock and ne had not
reached there have not seen him since and nov" since
the matter given publicity, do not think am
likely TO him again.
The next chapter relates where conaded this matter
met by engagement Mr Guenher and MI Murray az the
Hoffman House. Asscmblyman Gibbs was with them
I, seems the matter had been under discussion. and
think II Mr. Gibbs he would bear In what
1 say when quote what said Mr Guenther said
10 me John you wan, to stand firm this matter The
ewes OF the With Dssct are upon YOU and said;
. ..You need have about my standing Grm am
firm Later them the theatre. and after that we
sat at Rice's for while and talked aad from there We
went down together TO BurnSs In Twenty-cighth-st
m, not certain whether Rces Burnss that the
conversation was renewed general contersation
in relation to my position upon this mat
Tor cannot remember the exact details OF the
onycrsaton as to whether took side Of the question
or the other in this matter ,
you take .. ~,
Mr Maltin-I will reach that in a moment MI
Cb. dan,t ak me to either side In the controversy
He said he thought sa square and dia not IS'or either
/ =, NJ -, co,ver,atlon 1 had in reference % the
a,,or was with Nj A,ord OF 'The NewYork Herald"
IT, 81. mo ,,,,t Nay.York paper was In possession o;