New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-20
CHAIRMAN MURPHY GETS OFF EASILY.
MILD EXAMINATION BY THE CANAL COM
MTTEE-wHERE Is BRoDsKY'

A MILD EXAMINATION BY THE CANAL COM
MTTEE-wHERE Is BRoDsKY'
Albany June 10 (speciaD.-A short. bury man, with
gray hair shrewd gray eyes, ford complexion anu
frm-set mouth sat in OF the chairs OF inc A.
semby Parlor today for time while the Democrd"0
Canal eating Commit va taking the 'estimony
Of several canal contractors. All politicians al oloo
Identified him as Edward Murphy, 1r., OF Troy, INC
chairman OF the Democratic state Committee auu
wondered why he present. But their wonder was
short-lved. soon Mr.. Murphy was summoned as
witness II was evident TINT he had been prePaIeu
for the questions which would be asked MIN, as MI
Mcmahon. the counsel of the committee, read tle
questions 10 the witness from paper "ii0n il" "''D
In his hands.
"Ny name is Edward Murphy" said the Witness
allow long have you been a member of the Demo
cratic State Commttee1' asked Mr.. Mcmahon.
"For ten years past" replied Mr.. Murphy.
And for how long chairman OF tie commuters"
"For five years past
q Have you ever levied any assessments upon Ino
canal contractors1"
Never answered Mr.. Murphy.
Have the canal contractors paid any money 10
the Democratic state Committeei'
Not a dollar replied Mr.. Murphy.
as there any basis to senator Erwln's statement
that canal contractors pay yearly from 10 to ~ per
cent Of the amount Of their profits 10 lhe De'ooi'~
state Committee"
No, SIR answered Mr.. Murphy.
GThat Is all we want Of YOU then said the
counsel and Ar. Murphy left the witness chair.
II can be predicted that If Republican counsel had
been present Mr. Murphy would not nave escapeu 50
easily an examination as TO the ways ana means the
Democratic state Committee have Of raising campaign
fund.- Further It can be added that 1t Is quite
possible that the canal contractors paid assessments
to third persons and Mr. Murphy rcsOntey kept HIM
self I'm Ignorance as to all the sources OF campaign
revenues. It should be added that William b. MIX
of Syracuse is the of the Democratic Staue
Committee and therefore best acquainted with the
sources OF campaign funds.
Assemblyman Brodsby, one Of the Republican mem
ber Of the committee has been absent every day THIS
week from its sessions ard has sent no explanation
as TO the cause Of his absence. Mr.. Brodsky
annoyed the Democrats by the questions he addressed
to witnesses two weeks ago. What IS the reason
he has remained away from the sessions Of the com
mittee since that period
The committees witnesses to-day, other than Mr.
Murphy were several canal contractors.
W. II. Fitch. president of the Grafton Bridge Com
pany the first witness, said his company had con-
structed several canal bridges lie knew OF no COM
binaton among the bidders for canal works.
John Van Patten, of West Troy, who had done
some dredging Of dishonest management Of the
Canal Department.
Mr. Parker Of Waterford a general canal CON
tractor had done canal work and thought it was done
at q low price There was good deal OF com
petition. -
Democratic Controller, asked If the latter had any
interest in the contracts Of the formers firm. Mr.
Wemple replied that he had not but he was not ques
TGs O fSa s1a e wmpe did have H business
interest in the firm when it obtained one of these
talned the contract he assigned his interest to his
brothers. But the committee dlscreely made only
superficial examination of Edward Wemples connec-
The committee then adjourned until Tuesday next