New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-24
CROKER TALKS AT LAST.
HIS MEMORYOFTEN FAILS HIM
MCANN'S ALLEGATIONS DENIED BY THE
TASiAiANY LEADER.
WHAT WAS DONE WITH THE $4,000 WHICH Az
AFFECTIoNATE GODFATHER WHO WAS
SHERIFF GAVE TO "FLOSSIE"-INvESTED
IN REAL ESTATE IN THE NAMES OF
THE FATHER AND MOTHER-THE
EX-CHAMBERLAINS WIFE


IN REAL ESTATE IN THE NAMES OF
THE FATHER AND MOTHER-THE
Ex-CHAMBERLAIN's WIFE
ALSO TEsTIFIEs.
The State Senate Committee on Cities sat yes.
terday in Part III of the Superior Court to give
Richard Croker an opportunity of answering the
statements made about him by his wife's brother
in-law, Patrick ii. McCann Mr.. Croker graft
fled his Tammany followers, who crowded the
courtroom and encouraged him with frequent
and loud applause, by denying everything that
Mr.. McCann had said II Mr.. Croker is to be be-
lieved, Mr.. McCann has gigantic gift Of the
Imagination: and if Mr. Mccain is to he believed
Mr.. Crokers testimony indicates the possession
Of a conscience Of marvellous elasticity.
But Mr.. McCann's evidence is by no means all
explained away" 1t was easy for Mr.. Croker
TO answer glibly mo, SIR" TO the questions Of
Did this or that occur? ?" carefully prepared by
Joseph II. Choate and w. Bourse Cochran with
a view to the negative replies of their pupil but
the sI<ilful cross-eXamination by William NJ.
WINS embarrassed Mr.. Croker so much that he
had to take refuge in pleas Of loss
of memory He did remember Mr. Grants
two gifts of $1,000 each to Flossie Croker.
however, his memory on that subject being much
clearer than it was when he was interviewed at
used to purchase house in Harlem. But there
is no record to show that Flossie has share IN
the property. 1t stands in the name Of Mr.. and
Mrs Croker, and it does not appear that they
told anybody at the time that they bought it that
the investment was largely in their daughters
interest. Indeed, there is nothing but Mr.. Cro-
ker's word for it That his statement
that what done with the $4,000 was
done for Flossies sake is not a happy alter
thought. Mr. WINS went into Mr.. trokers
career as an oficcholder with thoroughness, and
greatly irritated Mr.. Cochran by making an ex-
cursion into the subject of political assessments.
Mr. Cochran seemed to suffer far more annoy
ance from Mr.. lvinss questions than did Mr.
Croker. who. whatever were his feelings, kept an
unmoved countenance and showed admirable SELF
possession and command Of temper.
State Senator Fassett is in California, and his abb
sence on such an important day is 10 he regretted
That the committee is popularity known as the
Fassett Committee" is tribute TO the intelligent
and active part which Mr.. Fassett takes in its
hearings and his ability as a crosseXaminer would
have been valuable addition TO the resources Of
the committee yesterday. Senator Hendricks pre-
sided Tie other Senators present were Messrs.
Stewart. Ahcarn. Birkett Deane and McNaughton.
About / o'clock, the time set for the beginning
Of the examination, Patrick II. McCann and his
wife and Richard Croker and h5S wife came in and
took seats at opposite ends of the room. Beside
Mr. and Mrs Croker sat DR.. BeelIman, their family
nh,sician and David Mcclure n lawyer who acted
as Mr.. Cr0lers agent in the Fiossie real esta'o
transaction. Among the Others present were sen
ator Eugene s. Ives, Alderman Rinckhoh, George
Hall Nicholas Langdon Assemblyman John Con-
molly, John NJ Tracy, Stephen O'Bren, j. Kline
lander Dillon Adoph l.. Sanger, eX-Judge Henry
r, Rowland and ex-Congressman John j. Adams
THE EXAMINATION BEGINS.
The Committee was called TO order at quarter
past eleven by senator Hendricks. Mr.. Croker 'ooH
the witness stand. was sworn, ana MI 'ioa'c oes"h
his examination, as follows:
o.-Uow long have You resided in this city, Mr..
Crokeri About forty years ,ii A.. -.
rt Sfs sS hne nea 'qS the eS ole ef aermaa
once. | held il for year | think J was rc-elestst
aan and afier hve months was was ies au,c os noCs .,
wa, Coecto. Of Taxes Marshal IN the Clty oil New
York | held that for one year In lr'3 wa,
elected Coroner. ! held that once 10Y tWo ter"s w.
0-r6en believe you held the office OF Fire Com
nnnicG in l.s Fr commissioner by Mayor Hewitt
held that up to the time wa, was aPp0nsga, cly Ivy
Nayor Grant soon after he came into ofhce
r,colect right it year from las. spring. April
o.-You succeeded Mr. WINS i'll that object Ayes
sir . ,,,-..,,, NJ,
O.
hcalth became bad that felt ought TO give II up.
was breaking down in health for some time
Q.-When did that resignation take place a.
don't know the exact date You can easily ascertain
that. - -, A.. Ma, .,,o,,
'OCl' Tha would bring down to about March or Or
February Of the present year! A.-lcS, SIR. ieit
New York on the sth of February and resigned before
Q-whcrc did you 60 from New York and with what
| Object Al went to seek health in Europe.
q Where were Won located at the time you heard OF
this examination before this commtee' Al was IN
Q.~Tndcr medical care A.DleS S,,hc,.,. sir
0.-what vaS The object Of Your return to New
York ITO meet those charges that had been made
7o."pd YOU return by the advice Of the physicians
under whose care. yon werel A-No, sir. % They adj
''Sd NE % to r'a Nna coms S dSc to the charges tina,
have been made involving yonr credit by McCsnn.
Nro VIZ In '' Aprl Mr. McCann tcsded before this
mittcc. shall read TO you McCanns statement Sno
ask Won what you have to say about IT,
Mr. Chcatc here read extract from McCanns testi-
monv that part relating TO the alleged visit OF Mr.
Croker 10 Mr. McCann's store with satchel containing
slsO OOO for the custody of which Mr. Croker desired
10 hnd "A suitable person. II will be rcmemoered tnat
Mr. McCann said that this money was 10 be appied IN
securing majority Of the Board Of Aldermen to lndorse
the nomination OF Mayor Grant for the Commissioner
shin Of Public Works. Mr.. McCann said That OF the
| nrncpnl sum Mr. Grant himself had supplied SoooOo
| Mr.. Choatc asked:
O-What have YOU Ia say 10 tlat story UT Ahy Psr'
| of Il Alt l. absolutely untrue. . -
On all particulars An all pareuiaIs,. .,,..
Q.lou did in fact on one occasion about tna' ''ms
| 20 10 his store A.--les sir. , ~ H.,
Odd You with you satchei' ASo ry c,sa; sg;
| ,atchel holding money A.-No. sir -,.,..
| Odd YOU carry any money A.-PositveS No.
sir exreu, what used for my pocket day by day: 49,
o~Iad YOU IN fact raised or had the % %0rSamsau0n M 0
with which YOU are connected Tammany Hail. or any
| "ry,nI,a,ion TO your knowledge raise any sum Oh
81 -o 900 or any other sum OF money 70 secure Mr
| Grants confirmation as Commissioner Vi r"o'' "o'"'
"o"iIad Mr.. Grant contributed $4,000 or any other
o.-For any such purposci A.-Not to my hnowi-
| edge n all. , ...or,.,, % Mr.
| Odd you make any such sta'ehien' !" -
| McCann! A.-No. sir. =,
| " ON either particulars A.-No, SIR
| 0-As 10 your having money, or money having
| been raised or Mr.. Grant having contrbuted A.
| toll N,l