New-York tribune., 1890-06-13
THE COURTS.
A LOBBYIST SUES FOR HIS FEE.
EDWARD r. pHELPs's SAD OPINION OF DANIEL


D. CcNovER.
Edward r. Phelps, who lives at White Plains, and
has been at Albany for the last twenty years during
legislative sessions, was lively witness yesterday
before Judge Beach, In the Supreme Court, where
Jury is trying the suit n julius y. Chesebroueh.
broker against Daniel d. Conover, for $4,000.
Chesebroueh declares that In March, 1870, Conover
engaged him 10 draw certain bills and present them 10
the Legislature. These services, he says were given
In connection with legislation regarding the Forty
second Street, st. Nicholas Avenue, and Manhat5n-
vile Railroad Company, OF which Conover was thep
president. He asserts that Conover agreed 10 COM
pensate him with 10000 in bonds and $4,000 worth
OF the stock Of the company when the were
ming in Forty -second-st Mr.. Conover denies that hs
ever made any such contract with Chesebrongh. and
says that on the contrary all Of his dealings we're with
Phelps, whose agent he supposed Chesebrough
Chesebrough asserted In support Of his case that
Conover had told Phelps that he was going 10 give him
(Chesebrough the stock and bonds for his services.
Mr. Conovcr denied that he ever made any such state
mcnt to Phelps Phelps was called 10 the stand to
give rebuttal testimony.
He said that he met Conover on the Albany bat
one occasion and told by him that he pro-
posed to give chesebrough the stock and bonds Con-
had testified that Phelps had told him that unless
Chesebrough's claim settled all OF the matters
concerning the Forty-second Street Railroad and
Conover's family affairs would be brought out. and
that he tConover) replied tha: he would no longer
submit to backmail. Phelps denied that anything
was said about blaclmal He had a conference with
Conover in 1885 regarding Chesebroughs claim, and
told Conover that he hoped the matter would be set
tied, as II the suit tried matters might come out
which would scandal which he would very
much regret
Austen G Fox, the defendants counsel then BE-
gan the cross-examination Of Mr. Phelps by asking.
Have you been in Albany during the sessions OF the
Legislature1s - Mr.. Phelps exclaimed loudly, I" For
twenty years" "What were you doing therel" In
Qulred Mr. Fox. Looking after egslaton,' was the
reply. "Were you ever indiced!' was the next
question eyes: was,s said Mr.. Phelps Mr.. Fox's
next question was, "Did YOU know any OF tho lob.
byistsi" "Ycs.s Phelps replied We're you one Of
them ~ said Mr.. Fox may have been called one,'
said the witness.
The witness was then asked II he remembered an
interview with Nellie Bly,, which he told her whae
his relations with Chesebrough were. Did you not
say when Miss BY asked you 10 help along patent
medicine concern and proposed giving You a check,
You can make 1t out in the name of J. +. Chese.
brough he Is relative Of mine or In the name OF
nv SOM " said Mr. Fox. Never said the witness
To Mr.. Phelps then shown a telegram signed
Ed" asking Chesebrough to come 10 Albany. He
asked If he sent IT, and said that he might have
done so. " Have you any doubt that you sent ~ I,
was asked ."If IL passed through Conovers hands.
have" he said he would forge q mans name -
soon do anything else"
Counsel will sum up to-day.