The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-24
CROKER DENIES THE CHARGE

The sTammany Leader COntradicts Patrick
McCann.
NEW YORK, June 22.-The state senate
committee this morning heard the testi.
mony of Richard Croker, Tammany
leader, in rebuttal of the sensational eyi.
dence given by his brother-in-law, Patrick
McCann. some time ago, involving Mayor
Grant and others. Croker declared that
McCann's story to the effect that witness
had $3.50, 600 in a sachel to bribe aldermen tc
confirm Grants appointment to the com.
missionership of public works, was abso-
lutely untrue in all particulars. No such
sum was raised nor had Grant raised $780,.
GOO as alleged. Witness asked MoCann
about the rumor that $4,000 had
been raised to keep Hubert O. Thompson
il in that position. McCann referred him to
nothing, Of it. Tammany was fight
ing the denomination of Thomp-
son. This was in 1884. John Kelly was
then alive and boss of Tammany. Tam
many's candidate was John McQuaid. It
was untrue that the witness was to get ten
cents per barrel on all cement used by the
department of public works if Grant was
of witness daughter, Flossie, on two occa-
sions made her a present of 5000. There
was no previous understanding about it. It
was invested in real estate for her benefit.
Witness was not indebted to McCann as
alleged.
On cross examination concerning the old
Tweed ring a document was brought up
which WAS shown to witness. signed by a
number of aldermen including Croker, in
which they swore they would not confirm
anyone or pass any important bill without
consulting Henry W. Ghent and other Tam
many leaders. One signature was cut out.
Objections were made to this testimony.
Lawyer Quinn, for the prosecution, said he
proposed to show that the fag ends of poll
tics in Tweed's time still ruled New York
politics.
After recess, WINS took up once more
NAY Mayer & GIant.s Isl presents to F!ossie Croker
sented in the early part of 1856. as
did the present create any surprise on
''Well, of course, recognized the fact
that Grant was doing very generous act.
Mrs. Croker took the envelope containing
money from Flossie and put it in the safe" !"
did you buy that safe?"
mo. it was bought for me by Mr.. FIack."
Croker !; said he did not invest the money
right away because he owned some property
which he was trying to sell and he wanted
to add this money to that he already had
before buying any more property. Senator
ness inquiring into Croker's trusteeship of
money given by Grant to Flossie Croker.
At this reply to WINS the Tammanites ap-
plauded vigorously. Croker declared that
no tax was levied on any Office holder for
election purposes. The expenses, however.
IN the various districts were very
heavy: Croker did not know what
contributions had been made by Judge
Bookstaver, Mayor Grant, Mayor Hewitt
and other candidates. Mrs. Croker was
put upon the stand. She denied that she
ever told McCann that Croker had gone to
Europe and left her unproyided for; that
she had ever said that Mayor Grant gave
Flossie $4,000, or that she ever sat up ali
night to guard $1sO,OO0 which had been
raised to secure Grants appointment as
commissioner of public works. She said
.he put the money given little Fiossie by
Mayor Grant into the safe and it remained
there until the property was bought.