New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-27
uoc,,v,S AMAZING CHARGES.

ucc4yy,S AMAZING CHARGES.
The most extraordinary and startling testi-
monv elected ND to the present time in the
municjnal investigation now in progress is that
given Yesterday by Patrick McCann. This
witness. who has been the lessee OF the Mount
Il. Vincent restaurant since 1889, has lately
found his occupation gone, and his resentment
against the Tammany rulers to whose hostility
he attributes his misfortune is accordingly
great. lie told the story of his wrongs in
yesterday mornings papers at considerable
length. The gist of it was that after he had
nrocured the lease through Croker whom he
was surprised to find the real party IN interest
and control behind dummy lessee the upper
circles of Tammany Hall were extremely fond
Of dining and winning lavishly at the establish
mont on credit. the bills, which have never
boon maid and now amount to about $1,000,
being made out against Croker; that in the
course of time he ascertaincd that Mayor Grant,
then sheriff. was circulating false malicious
and injurious tales about his property and al
fairs. and that he consequently tod him to get
off and keep off the premises that the Tam
many patronage was thcfcupOn wlthdraWn ana
that ever since he has been Il victim OF persccu-
ton which eliminated in his loss OF the lease.
These ALLEGATIONS. reported in Yesterdays
nancrs were ACCOMPANIED by Mayor Grants
explicit and absolute denial of their truth. They
were not intrinscally of much significance
but it is important to keep them in mind IN
connection with the sensational statements
made under oath yesterday to the Investigating
Committee.
These statements related to three alleged
transactions. and were in brief to this effect
First-'rhat the Tammany organization, at a
time when Mayor Edison thought of nominating
Mr.. Grant for Commissioner of Public Works.
collected $50. 600 10 secure his confirmation
hv the Board of Aldermen. Sccond-Ihat
Sheriff Grant divided the profits of his office
with Mr.. Croker, giving him through his dauGh-
ter S25 0O0 altogether in instruments OF
81. 600. and that with this money Mr.. CrokorS
house was paid for Thrd-'rhat Mayor Grant,
privatc secretary has repeatedly tried 10 per
,,ade Mrs Croker to leave the city since the
present investigation was ordered. Offering her
considerable perunary inducements 10 do 30.
and that her physician has been subjected 10
similar pcrsuasions. These are astounding
charges. which must be confirmed or disproyed
without loss of time. They suggest AZ the
first mention Of them, several considerations.
In the first place. Mccain clearly revealed, in
H., voluntary interview published Yesterday
that he j., enraged at tho loss Of 4 lucrative
business and bitterly hates Mayor Grant as
the supposed author of his woes. In the second
place. Sls0OOO is an almost inconccvahy
large sum Of money 70 have been raised for the
purpose OF hribing tho Aldermen 70 confirm
Commissioner OF Public Works. and the story
Is not made more probable by the assertion
that Mr. Grant contributed $4,000 Of this
amount himself. In the third place, there Is
nothing in Mayor Grants public career or per
sonal habits 10 confirm the theory that he Is
reckless swindlcr, while there i certainly much
TO discrcdit such a suppo>i'ion. For one
thing. the plain fact cannot be forgotten or
pnt ont OF the way that as an Alderman he did
not accept a large hribe AT time when those
who did accept il had not the least reason to
fear exposure
On the other hand McCann is not merely
repeating id-e gossip. Tho authority which he
gives for his accusations IS Mrs. Croker. the
vile OF the Tammany leader Implicated in these
alleged transactions; and Mrs Croker J, the
sister Of Mrs. McCann. Apparently therefore,
without the slightest fear of the consequences,
he supplies the means hy which his charges
can be Instantly rciucd if they ar" false. and
he himself can be put in prison for perjury.
Il j., difficult 10 believe mat man IN the pos
session of his senses would deliberately send
himself 10 Jail for the moIncntary efatihca'ion
Of a resentment. >uppo.ine McCann's charges
10 be- false. the inference must bee thai bitter
ness and rage have made him blind.
Amid 81 many contradictory hlpothescs one
thing is certain. that these odIou~ accusations
ought 70 be sifted 10 the bottom a the cariic>'
possihlc moment. The committee adjourned
on Saturday 10 meet at the call OF the chair
man. The next session should be held on Mon
dav. Mayor Grant j. entitled to the first
chance 10 clear himself under oath. If Mccain
!, living. Mrs Croker will be- miserable SO long
rs she j. prevented from defending her hu,-
band II will not do 10 wait for his return
but we are inclined 10 think, nevertheless that
if Mr. Croker i wise h" will start for New
York hy the next steamer, without regard 10
the state Of his health. His presence here i
needed badly, by others a, well as by himself
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THE POLICT or CIyfL SERyTCE REFORM
Congress occupied itself the other day with