New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-08

IN the Ro,rd One member who opposed matter said
that the iron nail Of his boot heel would come III
contact with the wires OF the electric battery
and cause an explosion. (Laughur) As matter OF fact
the wires were covered by thick cushion and wooden
floor and not exposed at all He further said ha
dangerous. when, man could put his hanu
the sphate ofcopper solution in the batteries wtho"
the flesh eaten or IL difficult 10 see no" u Wa
dangerous. Finally after great dca! Of Adcrmanic ora
tory the vote taken. Ten voted afrmatvey ana ioui
negatively 1t plain that the franchise was MOI
considered its mert-. There were certain men abou
town, l did inquire their names who communicated
with tine people Interested this franchise that it could
be passed without money. gentleman In POSI-
ton know Informed that money must be paid to pass
that franchise through the Board.
Senator Fa.sctt-Who was your Informant A.-A
friend met me on the street. s. r. Knapp was his
name lie did tell where he got his information
do not think that lie interested in this franchise.
in securing 1t in any way. On October - tho
final vote taken. and It passed by vote Of
to o. Just enough carry It. Some OF the members
had previously voted against IT, turned around and
voted for It.
Nh Boaldman-was there any change made in the
arguments for or against the measured A.-No. sir.
All this talk about danger not referred To- and
should say the people along Madsonaye pctitioned for
1t and large number Of the property consented
onc-half or two.thrd-
Scnttor Fsssett-wcfc any mentioned OF Aldermen
who stuck b. get money! A.-Not In my hearing.
Mr.. Boardnan-Now. take up the siNth-ave matter.
A-1hcy applied beginning Of 1887 for pcrm sion
to extend their lines and the matter reported.
l never knew Of my knowledge why
Odd you have any talk with the president Of
that company why they had not reported
Al did not individually.
Q.-who the president Of that companyl Al
believe at that time Mr. Frank Curtis
o.-was 10 acted upon fayo.ably In the endi A-No,
sir it reported. It also brought up in isss
aud reported.
$50 that It never movcdi A.-No sir. 1t stayed in
the committee.
o.Who the president Of the Ncw'fork and Long
Island Railroad Company which was Interested IN the East
River Tunncl A.-Ccncral Roy Stone was the president
during 1855. Now l believe the president Is Mr. Lcary.
o.-wa, that proposition acted upon iayoiaby by the
Beard Alt was defeated.
Q.-Do YOU anything about the reason why it was
defeated Ayes, sir. Improper motives Of certain
mcr1bcrs place the matter was referred TO
committee railroads. consisting Of seven men, 1t re-
ceiycd nam hearings. Finally three OF us favored
measure II the company would give large bond to
property In of damage and would pay
PER cent gloss receipts the city The other four
members Of the committee opposed tho franchise They
for 1t for Ions time Finally one OF them
though, that real would he injured in the upper part
Of tho city While this before tho committee one Of
officers Of the conn any that he had Informed
that franchise would never pass unless money was
raid He was told that It would get than I'VE
votes FINALLY when It cane a vote. about the lst Of
June T. received but four votes and STAYED there So
that upon nv own observation Of the character 81 the
men op sing matter the reasons they and their
statements It was plain that members were opposing
tina, franchise fom improper, II not unrcasonab, and
ignorant. motives
o.-what legislative changes would you recommend J
A-seyeral courses are open. One j. % abolish tho
Board onco. consisting Of the heads OF
ceparmcnt,. This would the city 10000 Foar
The second course reorganize the Board, make ~
consist Of tn twelve mcmtrs rpre-cntng districts *
90 coo or 30 coo voters the member, hold oc"
two years and In with each Mayor. A third plan
Is to have council Of nifty mcm' er' to serve with
ont pay and furthermore the name alderman should
be changed !, impo-s bic induce many Influential
and intelligent citizen. 70 run for the onice Of Alderman.
The very name Alderman" Is repusnant to an hone-,
Mr. Clark arose with an indignant micn and
asLcd &c can The Alderman state any specific act
II corruption performed 10y any Alderman from
1857 to the present tlmc-a specific act no near
say testimony Z?
Mr. ,onklinr-I have said that whom fully be.
ll.yo have Informed me tina; they Improperly ap-
nro,cb.d But II Won ak NE 70 testify my know
eige That cannot d. because was never asked to the
meetings q the combine.
O-Now lets have some A.-Well, General
Row stone ot the New.Yofk and Long Island Railroad
col,nv tod me- De- had been Improperly approached IA
rcaia 10 the Last River tunnel H. Informed ne That
BE- hsa been called aside by Alderman, who at'mp'i
to money the condition On "hich C' franchise
would De passed.
c.-pa he name to YOU ,he Alaermani A.-Ye-. SIR.
PEOPLE in the baci. part Of the crowded room
left tAcir seats al This point and came forward
To listen. lhc chairman raped Tor order, a-d
senator Fasscii called out: " Take your seals.
hos, of yOu who haze seals, and keep 10 que,
as possible ..,- 49,.
tie ucAt question.
Alderman bowling
He's dead now isn't lie ~ asked Mr. Clark
80. sir. think not. sid Nh. Conkhns.
Nj ,lArn ASKED tie witness If he could name
any more specific acts of corruption.
Yes SAID Nr. COnklius. Ia the matter oil
an appiicaiIon Tor q Jerry franchise. the 'olcse
Po.ui Ferry franchise NJ informant was Mr..
kern.. who il Connected With the company. lie
told me that he had been approached 10y an AHicI
man Il member of Tie Board Oi JN-S Who had i"id
Inn, that four men nu.i he seen before tlat iran
cil.c could pass | said 10 him. Have You any
idea that that meant money! That IS the idca
got from him. said lie
O-Wha: was the Adorn ans name Allowing.
q Who were the four o'hofsl Al did no, hear
their Nance.
Q 10 You know O, any Other specific ae,i Al
believe that j. an
o Who Wa the s,ochhold'r IN The East River
il,.tr.c Light ,oap,ny to whom You ref rr'dl A.
Alderman Mooncy
o-who to.d yol about hint A.-Mr Johnson who
IS now adj.
is that ALL now ?~ asked Mr.. Clark.
All what ." returned Mr.. Conkling. with an
air that implied Don't You know when you've got
enough -
TIC committee adjourned in time 10 catch the
20 o'clock train 80 Albany. The invesl iga'ion
Of the Board Of Aldermen viii be resumed Oh
Saturday at 10 80 a. Ia.