The morning call., 1890-06-24
TAMMANY LEADERS.
Charges Of Corruption Under InVeslisa-
ton by a Senate Committee.

New YoRK,lJune 23.-The political sem
sation of the day was the appearance of
Richard Croker, the Tammany boss, on the
stand before the Senate Investigating Com
mttee, to deny the stories concerning the
inside of Tammany politics some time ago.
McCann, a brother-in-law of Croker, testi-
fed before the committee that $50, 600 was
raised by Croker in Tammany Hall to cor
ruptly secure the nomination of Grant,
since Mayor of this city, as Commissioner
of Public Works. McCann also alleged
that Grant personally contributed $4,000 to
this fund. McCann gave Croker as author
ity for these statements.
Croker, who was called home by Tam
many to testify, denied directly that there
was any truth in the statements. He was
severely cross-eXamned. Croker in his
testimony stated that he asked McCann
about the rumor that $4,000 had been
raised to keep Hubert G. Thompson in that
position. McCann referred him to Adams,
who said he knew nothing of it. Tammany
was fighting the denomination OF ThOmp-
son. This wassin 1884 John Kelly was
then alive and the boss of Tammany.
Tammany's candidate was John McQuade.
ltwas untrue that witness was to get 10 cents
per barrel on all the cement used by the
Department of Public Works if Grant was
made Commissioner. Grant is godfather of
witness daughter Flossie On two occa-
was nc previous understanding about it.
The money was invested IN real estate for
her benefit. Witness was not indebted to
McCann, as alleged.
On cross-exsmination the old Tweed ring
was brought up. A document was shown
to witness, signed By a number of Alder
men, including Croker, in which they swore
not to confirm any one or pass any import
ant Dill without consulting Henry w. Genet
and other Tammany leaders. One sigma
fttr of,f out IL e.
this testimony. Lawyer Quins for the pros
ecutlon said he proposed to show that the
fag ends of politics in Tweed'S time still
rules New York politics. A recess was
taken
After recess Erwin took up once more
Mayor Grants presents to Flossie Croker.
The first $1,000, Croker said, was presented
in the early part of the canvass.
" Did the present create any surprise on
your part?'
Well. of course, recognized the fact
that Grant was doing q very generous
action. Mrs. Croker took the envelope con-
tanning the money from Flossie and put it
in the safe"
" Did you buy that safe?"
No, it was bought by Mrs. Flack."
Croker said he did not invest the money
right away, because he owned some prop
erty which he was trying to sell and wanted
to add this money to what he already had
before buying any more property.
Senator McNaughtOn and the committee
had no business inquiring into CrOker's
truSteeship of the money given by Grant to
Fossie Croker. At this reply to Erwin the
Tammanyites applauded vigorously.
Croker declared that no tax was levied
on any office-hOlder for the expenses of
election. In various districts the expenses
were very heavy Croker did not know
what contributions had been made by Judge
Bookstayer, Mayor Grant, Mayor Hewitt
and other candidates.
Mrs. Croker was then put upon the stand
She denied that she ever told McCann that
Croker had gone to Europe and left her un-
provided for, or that she had ever said
Mayor Grant gave Flossie $4,000, or that
she ever sat up all night to guard $4,000,
which had been raised to secure Grants
appointment as Commissioner of Public
Work: She said she put the money given
little Flossie by Mayor Grant into the safe,
and it remained there until the property
was bought.