The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-05
MAYOR GRANT TEST|F|ES,
He Says He Never Was a Candidate
for Commissioner of Pub
lie Works.
The Money He Gave to Croker's
Girl Was Only a
Present.
Mccain Gives Sensational Testimony to
the Fassett Committee-A Large
Audience Present.

New YORK, May 4.-The senate commit
tee on cities, of which Fassett is chairman,
sat again yesterday to hear further develop
ments concerning the workings OF city de-
partments. AS it was known that Mayor
Grant would be witness to exculpate him
self from the charges of Mccain, the COM
mittee room was iled to the doors. Grant
was present with Bourke Cochrane. his
counsel. Fassett and other members of the
committee were on hand early.
Mccain was again put on the stand and
cross-examined. He related the story about
furnishing supplies to the family of his
brother-in-law, Croker. Questioned as to
the date when Croker came to him with
$180,OO witness said he could not tell the
precise date. He was not surprised at
Croker's having $3.50 900 with him, as there
was plenty of money at that time among
the people connected with the board of
aldermen. Croker said to him there were
two aldermen whom he wanted reached and
Tom Adams knew them. Croker subse-
quently said he had seen these two alder
men and understood that everything was
satisfactory. II knew he said, that
somebody had been seem"
'Prison and Wendell" Sensation.]
Witness said he had been on the best of
terms with Croker until Mayor Grant came
between them. Witness continued: "Croker
had been misled by his advisors, men who
hold high positions, in this city. It is
and family. I refer to Grant. think it is
a disgrace to this city that a man like
Grant should be its mayor"
Witness said John b. Halloran told him
the $4,000 had been returned to those
who contributed it on the New Years fol-
lowing.
Witness said he could make charges
which he did not care to put forward vol
UNFAIRLY at the present and that "the less
these gentlemen have to say, the better for
themselves" When pressed he admitted
having had a conversation with Grant about
his connection with the Broadway railroad
bribery in 1883.
Mayor Grant here arose and said he
wanted Mccain to withhold nothing he
knew concerning him.
The witness then told Of day when he.
Grant and Alderman Mooney had been to
ring to the Broadway railroad bribery and
to his obligations to Croker said: "If
it had not been for his advice would have
been in that deal with the other fellows"
meaning, as the witness explained, the al
dermen who accepted the brides. Grant.
thing in the p1esence of Mrs. Mccain and
Senator McNauphton asked the witness
number of questions, presumably in ex-
PLANTATION of his testimony, but no one ex
cept himself, Mccain and Senator Fassett
heard either the questions or answers.
At the afternoon session the court room
was more thronged than in the morning.
Ex-Mayor Edison said SO far Us he knew
Grant was not candidate for public works
and had never spoken to witness about the
matte.
Then Mayor Grant was called. He denied
positively any knowledge of any agree
ment by which Croker was to receive
any sum per barrel on cement, if he, Grant,
was appointed commissioner of public
works. He denied that he ever told any
one that if it had not been for Croker, he,
Grant, would have taken his share of the
Broadway railroad Doodle. He knew
nothing about the $4,000 Mccain had
spoken of; he had never been candidate for
commissioner of public works; never
contributed to. or has knowledge of any
fund to secure anyone's appointment to
that Office. When questioned by Choate as
to his relations to the Croker family, the
mayor said he had been very intimate with
them. He was godfather to Cookers child,
Flossie. When he assumed that RESPONSE
and no obligations, therefore he determined
to make some provision for the child. On
one occasion he had given her 5000, and
subsequently the same amount. He never
gave her any other present, except such as
he gave all the Croker children on holidays.
Money was given to the child in the pres
ence of her father and mother, and the
child handed the money to her father. The
presents were free and without any under
standing or agreement, or in consideration
of his election as sheriff.
Mr.. Boardman took up the questioning.
TEo nd hat no
candidate for commissioner of public works.
''You did not go so far as to secure coun-
sci to aid your appointments
Secure counsel2 No, SIR
odd you not retain Col. Bliss?"
"Oh, at suggestion of Mr.. Kelly, I re-
that restrained the boafd of aldermen from
acting on the appointment of commissioner
of public works."
Mayor Grant further stated he had no
personal knowledge of what was done with
the money he gave Flossie. He did not
know it had been used to Fay off mort
gage.
Senator Fassett questioned the mayor
about his candidacy for the mayoralty and
was told he was not assessed by Tammany
Hall. He contributed about 81 500 and this
was to the printing fund for local officers.
Fassett questioned the mayor about his let
ters to the president of the senate. Choate
objected, when it was argued the letter had
been referred to the committee. Cochran,
on behalf of the mayor, here said he would
withdraw any intimation that the commit
tee or its counsel had been party to con-
spiracy against the mayors character.
There had been such conspiracy, but they
would entirely exonerate the committee.
In reply to the final question the mayor
said he had never influenced or sought to
influence the park commissioners to refuse
to renew McCann's lease. Ex-Assistant
District Attorney Nicoll said throughout his
extensive investigation into the matter of
Doodle aldermen of "a, he never heard any
thing about Grant being candidate for
commissioner.
Blind Boys Playing Cricket.
A game of cricket played by blind men
must be a curious sight. Most people would