New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-13
THE ATTEMPTED BRIBERY.
MIR. MARTIN, OF NEW YORK, MAKES STATE
MENT IN THE ASSEMBLY.
HIS STORY LACKING IN DETAIL-SPEEcHES BY
Mr.. sHEEHAN. Mr.. AINswoRTH AND
oTHERs-THE COMMITTEE ON APP
POPULATIONS TO INyEsTI.
GATE THE MATTER.
fnr fELEaRAPa ro I'VE rRIpuNn.J

fir TELEGRAPH TO TRDuNEJ
| Albany, Feb. 1e.-There was a hum in the Assembly
Chamber this morning like that Of angry bees. 1t
was before the session, and Asscmblymen were
gathered here and there In groups, talking buslly
about the statements in the New-York newspapers Of
this morning that a bride TO make withdrawing
report had been offered Democratic member Of the
Assembly Committee Appropriations, which was
recently directed to investigate the Assembly Chamber
ceiling scandal.
1t was whispered about that the member to whom
bride had been offered was John Martin, Of the
IXth Assembly District Of New.York. Mr.. Martin
in his seat, looking rather PALE and vsibly per-
tubed by the Of hs every side In relation
to such matter. Assembyman Mase said 10 General
Hustled Why, heard about this attempt to brlbe
some one on the Assembly Chamber ceiling natter in
New-York yesterday Assemblyman McMaster had
heard about the matter in the Assembly Chamber last
| night.
| When the Assembly met there was an expectation
that the mine Of interest In the matter would be
exploded at once, but half hour passed before this
was done. Then Mr. Sheehan arose and sald the
| Assemblymen maintaining remarkable silence:
rise TO q question OF privilege.
The speakeFThe gentleman will state his question Of
privilege
Mr. sheehan-In all the morning New.Yotk papers and
also in other journals the charge published conSd
cradle length which reflects upon me member OF the
committee appointed last year 70 supervise the construc
on OF tho Assembly ceiling 1t reflects upon me as
member Of that committee without making any specific
charge OF course. The charge in substance has been
made that member Of this House. who is member Of
tho Committee Appropriations. which committee is
| investigating the subject offered by lobbyist In
Newly City few days ago tho sum $4,000 II no
with Ave other members OF that committee to
whitewash tho Assembly Ceiling Committee. L had
hoped that steps would be taken by members Of
| tho House not upon the committee Of the Assem-.
bly, ceiling tending to st this matter TO the bottom.
Now II 10 that something should be done, be-
cause matter how much confidence the people OF tho
State may have in the Committee Appropriations
matter II their report "a complete yindlcation OF the
whole subject matter the people will have that
ndcnec now, in the report that they would have had
before this charge Of corruption made. So q
Der Of this committee; jealous my reputation.
1t to that something should be done by which
q committee should DO appointed. at the time
depreoao deeply any reflection upon the Committee Of
Appropriation something should be done TO TO
this investigating committee the confidence OF the people
in thsm Now. II might be well. it has been suggested.
that the House pass OF confidence in tho Committee
| ON Appropriations That think, would be perfectly
proper and then that the committee would be at entire
liberty 10 its dschase from further consideration
OF this whole subject matter and special committee
right be appointed investigate the whole subject natter
or that IL might be referred standing committee
OF the House. 1 merely make this as a suggestion.
Mr. sheehan's demand for a special committee nat
! orally made sensation
| = think, SAID AssfmDlymah balup' vi bhohuaba
County, like Mr. sheehan a member Of the committee
that had charge Of the reconstruction OF the Assembly
ceiling, think that tho person TO whom this bnbe
has been offered should nse up In his place In this AS
sembly Chamber and state all the facts
Mr. En- who was also a member Of the Assembly
Committee that had charge Of the reconstruction Of the
Assembly ceiling, expressed his confidence In the Com
mittoe on Appropriations At this instant the clear
voice Of Speaker Cole was heard, saying ooolly
A.. gkarf In ~
| papers nyestigated.'
Il move that a committee Of Eve be appointed
to make such an investigauon,' said Mr.
| Dunlap Of Montgomery impotuousy And''
| said Mr. Mase, d" / move that the COMMITTEES on APP
preparations Itself investigate these charges that an
attempt has boon made 10 bride some of its members.
| stet the Judiciary Committee make this invosusa-
| tionH roarcd Mr. Hamilton.
The Assembly seemed to 10 drifting into confused
/ state OF mind on the matter, when General Hustled
came 10 the frort lie argued that II would DO
absurd to appoint special committee To
investigate tho moral character Of the Committee on
| Appropriations. when that Committee Itself was In
yesgating the mcral character Of sl other members
| put will the report OF tho Committee on Appro-
| pratons on the Assembly Ceiling. be accepted gen
orally a. q well-founded ono II we leave the charge
uninvestigaiedl'
| General Hustled thought It would be. al am NOT
believer IN total depravity,' he said. IL Is unfair
and unjust TO tho Committee on Appropriations To
| investigate such charge this made in the news
papers against them. Let US make haste slowly
agree with Mr. Dunlap that the man who was offered
this bribc should come forward
Mr.. saxton also mado Mr.. Martin feel uncomfort
able by saying:
There Is no charge against Of any member be-
fore the House. and will not be any until some mem
Der arises says attempt made TO bribe him IL
Is mistaken view 70 take that the Committee on Appro-
prstions disabled from continuing tho investigation OF
the Assembly Chamber ccing scandal We can't inves-
uRate all the that set anoat In tho public press
and think should not pass judgment upon he Com
uttae on Appropriations until they make their report
Mr. saNton's speech may be said TO have wronchcd
| John Martin cut OF his scat, and To have compelled
him 10 make a statement to tho Assembly ABOUT the
| ALLEGED attempt to bride HIM lie was pale, and
spoke with great hcstatlon evidently watching every
| thing that he said. Tho Assembly listened 10 bis
speech In profound silence II was interrupted by
| several pointed questions, and the Assembly listened
| eagerly TO MS replies.
MR. MARTIN MAKES STATEMENT.
Mr. Martin said:
presume Mr. Speaker that without the mentioning OF
any the various articles In the daily press that
am regarded In this matter the central figure That
is the presumption that 1 draw from the various com
| ments that have been made by my felow.members In
reference IT, And / free TO say that intended
| to take notice OF them at this particular time had
not this discussion forced into the position IL was
my intention to take cognzance Of them at the proper
Time when witnesses summoned before the Commit
tee Of Appropriations The statements OF the press are
like poato-neld-a great many hills and great many
| hollows There is little OF truth and great deal
that not In che summaries published taking the
papers In their entirety am free 10 say this That
como few days ago 1 received note in New-York TO
call at certain place to u gentleman called at
the place. The signer OF the unknown 10 me.
called there eonvorsaton occurred in reference TO
this matter and free to say that he made II to a
pear that II would be my advantage 70 consult him In
reference TO the investigation. That is about the sum
| and substance OF the matter.
Mr. Asplnall-I would like TO ask tho gentleman
from New-York question; tho person who made that
| request Of you was a member OF this bodyi
Mr. Martn-No. sir.
Mr. Aspinal-Then / ask, Mr.. Speaker, that the
| gentleman from New.York give the mans
Mr. Martln-I do not propose to stand here and be
crossauesoned in referepce TO this matter II the gen