New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-11
ANDREWS AND SNAITH.
THE SUPERINTENDENT ACCUSED BY
HIS BROTHER-IN-LAw.
sp S. GoYE,s SENSATIONAL TEsrIMoNA

IN THE sNAITH CLAIM sultan ALLEGED
CONSPIRACY TO PLUNDER THE STATE.
Albany, April 1O.-The hearing on the claim Of
John Snaith, which continued before the
State Board of Claims to-day, decidedly in
teresting. The examination of Roland a. Cove,
br0ther-in-law Of the ex-Supcrintendent OF Pub
lie Buildings, Charles b. Andrews. was resumed.
He Andrcwss assistant For five weeks
during the session Of the Fish Investigation Com
mittee Mrs. Andrews was confined in his house,
and during that time she did not go away, as
was alleged by Andrews before the committee.
She was visited at Gove's house by Andrews.
Two days after her arrival there box was
brought to the house which contained a large
quantity Of gold coin, bonds and stocks. In
the box was also an agreement between Snath
and Andrews for an equal division of the money
made the work Cove took the paper from
the box and kept it until after
the Fish Committee finished its labors,
when he returned it to Andrews.
He read the paper twice and was sure that it was
an agreement between Snaith and Andrews to di-
vide equally the profits of the ceiling and staircase.
1t was dated June 81 The box contained 1915 in
gold coin. $4,000 in currency and $4,000 in
stocks and bonds.
Cove stated that the alleged staircase contract
returned from Pittsfeld and during the investiga-
ton by the Answorth Committee. Sullivan and
Andrews had both told him this was So He had
seen q number Of vouchers for material which
was not furnished, and Andrews had told him
that the vouchers were so made that Snaith would
have to make division of the spoils or be ex-
posed. Andrews said he could hold Snaith in
check in no other way, and he had to do this to
make him divide the profits The original bid "
Snaith had been materially changed by the inser-
ton of the clause allowing the use of papier-
machc.
Cross-examned by counsel for the claimant. the
witness said that prior to coming TO Albany he
had been farmer lie was made storekceper by
Andrews and held the place until Andrews was
removed. They were then on friendly terms,
but about week later differences between
them. He did not, however, at any time, tell
Andrews he would ruin him and that he had
better put his property out of his hands, but he
had said he would follow him up. During the
Fish Committee investigation he had trouble with
Andrews, but nobody had heard them talk the
matter over lie knew that the Transactions lie
knew about would make good evidence for the
Fish Committee, and lie had had an interview
with the Attorney General and his deputy on the
matter. He had thought it best TO take counsel
in the matter because Andrews had sent a man
to him with q statement that he intended 10 have
him Cove indicted for stealing stuff from the
CAPITOL and that he intended TO have the matter
laid before the Grand Jury. Mr. Perry and Mr..
Andrews had had fight TO who should have
charge of the work. lie did not think he had
sworn that Sweet made his bid at the suggestion
OF Andrews, Snaith or Sullivan.
At this point the evidence Of the witness be-
came contradictory. Under the fire of cross-ques-
tons from Mr.. Hale, of counsel for Snaith, he
denied several assertions made by him in the
earlier part of his testimony. regarding CONVERSE
tions with Andrews and Snalth, and was COM
peed TO admit that he could not recall certain
conversations to which he had previously alluded
in positive manner. Prior 10 the meeting OF
the Ceiling Committee Andrews had hXed up
the bids. Then the witness asked Andrews II
Sullivan and Snath did not have DDS Andrews
told him that their bids had been Wlthdia"n anu
that Others would be substituted before the COM
mittce met TO consider them, but he did not
want this known. Snaith was around at the
time and had been told by Andrews not 10 hang
around as it might excite suspicion; lie day
after the committee organized he had assisted
Andrews in comparing manuscript ana type
written specifications -,
When the Board reconvened. at 80 p m. the
examination of Cove was continued lie tfsilheu
Ia examining bid dated June 20. whlch ne
thought was in Snaith's handwriting, but adml'ted
that he was not familiar with Snalths 5 hahI"rr
inr He and Andrews had consulted ABOUT chanI,
ing the date of Snaiths bid. and Andrews hal
finally concluded to erase the date of April -
/ and ,vrirc i'm another Cove had told hum he
thourht il was dangerous thing TO do. during
the invest igation by the Alnsworth committee nc
had by direction of Andrews. attended most of ,he
meetings and reported 10 either Andrews or his
counsel Judge Countryman. the evidence tlat Was ~
taken 4 box received al MS mouse lot
Mrs Andrews. which came from Mr' an
drewss house lie did not Icnienlpef
HAVING then seen the contents or the poN:
lie took the box To his house. where IT. was openen
hv Mrs Andrews, who. about week atFr. showed
him thc contents of the box. All during the flsn
examination he knew that Snalth. sullivan ana
Andrews had entered into conspiracy Ia ron me
State. but did not conclude 10 make the fact pun
lie until after his trouble with his Drotherln-aw.
Tho witness had entered Andrewss hOu>r one
dav that fall and heard Andrews and Nnalth IN
angry discussion. Andrews called Snalth =
tbicf and said he had been stealing from him
Mi the summer Snaith replied: Don't he TOO
hard on me Andrews. | will make il all right
win yon" That was all he wanted 10 hear. and
hc then left the house He had seen the agree
mcnt between >naith and Sullivan. which accord-
inc 10 his recollection. read about as follows:
Albany, y. Y. June %. 1sss
hcrcls agree. II / the lowest bidder. to give 70
Timothy J. Sullivan the undivided half OF the work
ON the ceiling and staircase he to stand half the expense
End 10 receive half the profits
This agreement was signed by both Snalth anu
Sullivan. :: hol
Counsel for the claimant succeeded IN nreaK-
inc down the earlier testimony of the witness IN
rcu,rd TO his taking papers from one OF AndreWsS
private boxes on the iatters orders.