Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-24
TAMMANY- "REMINISCENCES.
Richard l. Croker Returns from Europe to
Testify Before the Fawsatt Senate Com
mite Roolle.

here to day TO take the testimony Of
Richard Croker, leader of Tammany
hall. The chamber of the SUPERIOR cour'
was filled to Overlooking with dense
crowd of people. Patrick b. McCann
aud his wife, who is sister of Mrs.
Croker, were in the audience. Mr..
Croker did not betray much evidence OF
Illness, but looked little worried. Mr.
Croker was at once called TO the stand .
He said he had returned from Europe,
contrary to the advice of his physicians
to refute charges made by Mccain.
The lawyer read the part of Mccain s
testimony about the $3.50 200 which he
said Croker had paid to brlbe aldermen
to get a confirmation by them of Grant s
appointment by Mayor Edison for COM
missioner of public works.
Croker said 1t was absolutely untrue in
all particulars. He had gone to Nc
Cann's store ABOUT that time, but had
not carried a satchel nor any large sum
of money. No such sum was raised for
such con tirmation, nor any since, nor
had Grant raised $50, 900 for such pur-
poses. He said be had visited Mccain s
about the time referred to and
asked Mccain if he had heard
anything about the rumor that
$50 200 had been raised to keep
Hubert o. Thompson in the office as COM
missioner of public works. Mccain
thought "Tom'' Adams, who was init
mate with Alderman Pierson. might
know something of it. He had met Adams
in McCann's store by appointment
subsequently,, but Adams said he knew
nothing of the rumOr. They had no
other conversation. Tammany hall was
doing all it could at the time to fight
against the re-appolntment of Hubert o.
Thompson, and had desired to defeat
any efforts made by Thompson to arrange
the confirmation. Tammany had can
didate for office in the latter part of 1884.
1t was John McQuade. John Kelly was
then alive and boss of Tamma-y hall.
Croker had conference with him every.
afternoon. 1t was also untrue that Wit
ness was to get ten cents on every barrel
of cement used by the department of
public works, providing Grant got the
nomination. He remembered that Grant
had stood godfather to his daughter
Flossie, and had gwen her $4,000 on the,
occasion (in bills), as q present. 1t 49,
not given by reason of any prior under
standing with Mayor Grant. The money
house, 40 Eighth street, for the benefit
of the child, taking the title
in his own and wife's name
jointly. The contract for the purchase
had been made in the name of Mrs.s
Catherine Frazer, mother of Mrs.
Croker. Her name had been used for
fear greater sum would be asked were
Croker's name given. Concerning the
property at No. % West One Hundred
and Twenty fifth street, purchased bv
Simon, June 6, 1889, the name of
James Heating had been used for SIM.
liar reason, but Heating had not put ~
the money. John Kelly had given him
the Mount Saint Vincent restaurant lease,
as he was not busy at the time when Nc
Cam was given the lease. He had not
admitted that he owed Mccain $4,000,
nor he does n t now owe him one cent,
notwithstanding the claim of Mccain
that Croker owes him $4,000. When he,
went to Europe he left his wife q hoHse'
and $500 per month.
On cross eXamiuation By Lawyer
Twins, Croker SAID: al was originally O
mechanist. 1 was appointed court Off
Ger by James o 'Brien in 1865 or 1867. L
was part of the time under Judge-RSrss
nard, who was impeached. I secured the
nomination of AImenson myself
A doouaasgikt vas shown witness with
eAa eetft out. 1tsswas q reeH
Il ~ OF Tweed times. - sSlIoksf I'd
nitted his signature TO it. Ttswas an
agreement sworn before Joel o. StsSRs7$
as notary public, and signed as1dil4
Der of aldermen on a vote toE6nfirm az
one or pass any bill of moment witssuti
Henry w. Comet, Tho9stB u,
Dreamer, Michael Norton, G. ~. Me-
Cabe and G. II. Phersou. Croker said
he didn't know whose signature had been
cut out, but presumed it was the name of
the man who had possession of it before
Wins got it. Croker admitted Florence
Scannell murdered the brother of John
sScannell, who was also member of that
PICARD of aldermen.
Objection was made to this line of
questioning by Lawyer Choate, and Wins
made these astonishing statements. 81
want to show that Fag ends OF politics in
'Tweed's time now rule our politics.
I will show that John Scanned, brother
of Florence, is now a member of
Tammany hall, and one of its money
rasers. l will show that Barker was
also o member of the board, and was
closely connected with Croker and Tam
many until recently convicted of assault.
l want to show where part of the money
raised went.
Recess was taken at this point.