New-York tribune., 1890-04-28
MCANN'S STRANGE STORY.
POLITICIANS ALL TALKING ABOUT 1T.
TAMMANY MEN RIDIcULE HIS TESTIMONY
MANY PERSONS BELIEVE THAT THERE
Is SOME BASIS OF FACT IN IT.

Is SOME BASIS OF FACT IN IT.
The testimony which was given on saturday BY
Patrick ii. McCann the brotIcr-Inlaw OF Richard
Croker, was widely discussed yesterday In the hotels,
clubs and wherever met. To say that 1t created
sensation would hardly express In proper terms the
effect which it had. The Sunday newspapers have
rarely be sought for with greater cageess and every
word Of the testimony which McCann gave was read
with great care. Men who would naturally side with
the Mayor and Croker clung to the statements which
were made late on saturday night by Mr. Grant and ex
Judge iIolme the Mayors private secretary, in
explanation Of the presents to Miss Flossie Croker
and the visits of cx-Tudrr TIome 10 Mrs Croker and
Dr. Beekman. Chartabiy inclined men mado OK
cuscs for the Mayor and Mr.. Croker, and they said
that Mr.. McCann had exaggerated facts considerably
But those who scofcd at the testimony and those
who made excuses did not equal in numbers the men
OF wealth and standing who believed that McCann's
testimony had foundation In fact. At any
rate 1t will take testimony OF an extremely strong
nature to overcome what Mr. McCann swore to.
At the Fifth Avenue Hotel there were yesterday a
large number Of prominent politicians. and they
talked among themselves Of the alleged exposure.
One we'll known business man who had Just finished
reading the interviews with the Mayor and his secrc
tary said that they had made matters worse by
Iylng 10 explain away NcCaun's testimony.
Another Of the group here broke IN with 81 used
TO think that lingn Grant Was all honest man. but
Why man VINO Is "a close friend OF Crokcrs told me
the other day that 4 the financial affairs Of TINS cty
We're honestly administered The return fOn nan
chises alone would pay the running expenses OF the
city,
one Of the men present, who is well acquainted
win local politics and politicians gave his reason Tor
believing that there was more or less truth In NC
tann's testimony regarding the efforts 10 have Mr.
Grant appointed Commissioner Of Public Works. as IOl-
lows -" know from personal knowledge that there as
then fierce fight going on for that place There were
more County Democrats than Iammany men then III
the Board Of Aldermen and Tammany wanted TO get
a fo0th0ld in the city departments through Mayor
Edison. The ngh; became hot that Mayor Eds0n TO
settle II. appointed Ron VI. squire. There IS more
patronage in the Public Works Department than In
any other In the city. Alderman Grant was elected
vice president OF the Board Of Aldermen BY Republican
votes. and 1t u buy County Democrats who could
help confirm his appointment Commissioner OF
Public Works that the money was raised Mci ann
however. has undoubtedly got the amount too nigh.
Tho Hoffman House cafe which i the headquarters
~ Tammany Hall politicians At night was unusually
crowded last evening. and the sole topic Of conVesh
tiOu was McCanns testimony The Inmmany Han
politician, rdlculei Mctann's story and made the
same explanations the Mayor and his secretary.
The MAYOR was AZ home nearly all day and he had
busy time Of i--wecn receiving reporters and Tam
many Hall friends. To reporters he said that he had
nothing - add 10 hi~ statement of saturday night.
which he said covered hi, side Of the case.
Mrs Croker could not be found and II was generally
understood that She was with her brother-ln.l law