Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-26
RICHARD CROKER RETURNED
Came From Europe to Refute Me-
Cann's Charges.
He Denies Ever Attempting to Bride
New York Aldermen.
Mayor Grant Had Presented His
Daughter Flossie With $4,000.

NEW YORK. June 23.-The Fasset
senate committee held a special session
here today to take the testimony of
Richard Croker, the Tammany hall leader.
There was a large crowd present. Patrick
Mccain and his wife, who is a sister OF
Mrs. Croker, were IN the audience. Mr..
Croker did not betray much evidence Of
illness. but looked much worried. He was
at once called to the stand. He said be
had come from Europe. contrary to the adj
vice OF his physicians, III order to refute
the charges made by Mccain.
Lawyer ChOate read a part of McCann's
testimony about the money which he said
Croker had in his sachel to bride aldermen
to get a confirmation by them of Mr..
Grant S appointment by Mayor Edison for
comm issiOner of public works.
Mr.. Croker said it was absolutely I'M
true in all particulars. He had gone to
McCann's store about that time, but had
not carried a sachel, nor any large sum
of money. No such sum had been raised
for such confirmation, nor any since,
nor had Grant raised $4,000 for such
pdrpose. He said he had visited Nc
Cams about the time referred to and
asked Mccain if he heard anything about
the rumor that $50, 900 had been raised to
keep Herbert Q. Thompson in the office of
commissioner of public works. McCann
thought that Tom" Adams, who was in
innate with Aid, Pierson, might know
something about it. He had met Adams
in McCann's store by appointment subse-
"uently, but Adams said he knew nothing
of the rumor.
Tammany hall, he said, was doing all it
could at the time to fight against the reap
pointment Of Hubert O. Thompson. and
he desired to defeat any efforts made by
Thompson to arrange for his confirmation
1t was also untrue that the witness was to
get 10 cents on every barrel Of cement
used by the department of puplic works,
providing Grant got the nomination. He
remembered Grant had stood godfather for
his daughter, Flossie, and had given her
$1,000 on two occasions in bills as pres
ents. 1t was not given by reason of any
prior understanding with Mayor Grant.
The money had been invested in October,
1887, in the house for the benefit of the
child.
During the cross-examination by Law
yer Ives document was shown the wit
ness with one signature cut off. Croker
admitted his signature to it. It was an
agreement signed by number of alder
men, including Croker, who swore they
would not as aldermen. vote to confirm or
pass any bill of moment without consult
ing Henry W. Ganent, Thomas J. Cremer,
Michael Norton, G. w. McClane and G.
H. Herson. Croker said he did not
know whose signature lad been cut out.
but presumed it was the name Of the
man who had possession Of it before WINS
got it.
Mr. Croker admitted that Florence
Scannell, the murdered brother of John
Scannel. was also member of the board
of aldermen
Objection was made to this line Of ones
tioning by Lawyer Choate. and Mr.. lvans
made these astonishing statements:
Il want to show that the tag ends of
politics IN Tweed time now run our poll
tics; | will show that John Scannell,
brother Of Florence is now member of
Tammany hall aud one of its money raisers
and [ will show that James Barker was
also member of that board and was close
ly connected with Croker and Tammany
until recently convicted of assault | want
to show where part of the money raised
went"
A recess was taken at this point.
After recess WINS TOOK up once more
Mayor Grants presents to Flossie Croker
The first $1,000, Croker testified, was
presented in the early part of 1886.
Didn't the present create any surprise
on your part?'
"Well, of course I recognized the fact
that Mr.. Grant was doing very generous
act. Mrs. Croker took the envelope con-
taining the money from Flossie
and put it in the safe.
The districts were very heavy. Croker
did not know what contributions had been
made by Judge Bookstader, Mayor Grant,
Mayor Hewitt and other candidates.
Mrs. Croker was put upon the stand.
She denied that she had told Mccain that
Croker had gone to Europe and left her I'M
provided for; that she had ever said that
Mayor Grant gave Flossie S25, 900, or that
she ever set up all night to guard the
s1S0,000 which had been raised to secure
Grants appointment as commissioner of
public works. She said she put the money
given to little Flossie by Mayor Grant into
the safe and it remained there until the
property was bough-.
ARNOLD SELLS HIS POEM.