The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-12-15

BID HIGHER THAN ANYONE.
CREEDON CREATES INTENSE Elk
CITEMENT IN NEW YORK.
The Money Went to Commissioners
yoorhis-Drnmatic Scenes in and
Around the Old Tweed Court
House Creedon Suspended Be-
cause He Told the Truth, But VIII
Probably Be Reinstated.

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New York, Dec. 14.-Police Captain
Creedon confessed before the Lexow
committee today that he paid $4,000
to secure his captaincy. A few hours
later he was suspended from the force
by the board of police commissioners
on recommendation of Superintendent
Byrnes. who was instructed to pre-
pare charges against him. The Lexow
committee had agreed that Creedon
should be granted immunity from pun
ishment for his purchase Of a cap
taincy, and when the action OF the
police commissioners became knA.yn,
they, as well as Superintendent
Byrnes, were subpoenaed to appear
this afternoon before the investigating
body.
Biggest Sensation on Record.
Captain Creedon's confession was
the biggest sensation brought forth by
the Lexow commission.
In itself, the captains statement was
merely a confirmation of testimony
ELECTED before the committee, but the
startling facts, essentially interviewer
with this sensational exposure, affects
the faint of diShonor and corruption
upon men who have had some of the,
most responsible offices in the gift of
the community. But public censure
is not heaped on Creedon's head. He
had served in the local police depart
ment for thirty years with honor and
distinction. He is a war-scarred vet
eran, whose record shows that in
twenty-three engagements of the civil
war he risked his life for his country.
The captains fault is forgotten by
the popular mind in sympathy for his
present trying position and respect for
his past record. The day was replete
with exciting and dramatic incidents,
in consequence of the LeXow COM
mittee proceedings, through the official
channels of their relation to the pub
lie demands involved in the investiga-
ton.
Commissioner Sheehan, when told of
Creedon's statement, asked: who got
the money!"
When told this point had not yet
been fully developed, he said: That's
what they want to find out. If they
keep up their investigation long
enough, 1 guess they will
Dramatic Scenes.
The scenes in and around the meet
ing room Of the committee in the old
Tweed courthouse were intensely dra-
matte and sensational Men were
moved by passions and emotions they
had never felt before.
The court room was filed with rep
resentatiVe citizens who were DESTROYS
of hearing the testimony. The captain
had said on the witness stand that he
had paid no money for his captaincy,
hut off tot hor
who is under indictment, refused by
advice of his counsel to answer ques-
tons, Creedon was allowed an oppor-
tunity to tell the truth. He told it
He had been reared in that part of Ire
land where the role of an informer was
deemed the most despicable of human
character; he had preferred to sacri-
flee himself rather than implicate those
who he said were his friends, but he
had thought the matter over during
the night and decided to tell all he
knew. The witness spoke slowly, with
downcast eyes. He was moved by con-
ficting emotions and the sympathies of
his auditors went out to the white
haired veteran. In a straightforward,
though shamefaced manner, he told
how he had risen from the position OF
patrolman to a sergeant. How at last
a captaincy was offered him for money.
The expense of educating his eight
children had been very heavy and he
wanted the position of captain with it's
increase of emoluments. But he had
submitted the matter to his friends.
They raised the money. The amount
necessary to secure the appointment
was $4,000, because Sergeant Weigand
had offered $4,000. His friends, Barney
Rourke and John Rappenhagen, Sc
cured the money. ostensibly on his
notes. He had paid the money to ex-
Assemblyman John J. Martin. 1t was
his understanding that the funds went
to Police Commissioner Voorhis, now
police Justice The conclusion of Can
tain Creedon's testimony was followed
by an impressive pause and Mr.. Golf
apologized for causing the ca plain the
unpleasantness he had experienced.
sympathy for the Captain.
Tears suffused Creedon's eyes. A SYM
pathetic tremor ran through the audi
ence.
And continued Mr.. Golf, SIT Is the
unanimous opinion of this committee
that in view of the splendid services
you have rendered to your country and
to the community, the public interests
will not be subserved by disturbing
you in your position as police captain"
Then there was a burst of applause
such as no man could stop. Captain
Creedon arose. He looked straight
ahead. Tears filled his eyes and his
face twitched with emotion Then each
member of the committee and Counsels
Toff, Jerome and Moss SHOOK. his hand
warmly. There was another burst of
and Captain Creedon walked
from the court room crying
Then John w. Rappenhagen testified
that he handled the money. He was
given the money and in turn ne handed
over $4,000 to Honest" John Martin,
Tor the benefit of Commissioner Voorfis.
He kept the remaining $1,000 for him
self. He was the go-between. Rappen-
hagen swore Voorhis lied if he said he
did not get the money.
Mr.. Golf said he had subpoenaed Mar
tin, but word had come that that indi-
yidual was suffering with paralysis.
Commissioners Subpoenaed.
1t was during the afternoon session
that Mr.. Golf learned of Captain Cree
don's suspension. The committee be-
came excited. Subpoena all the corr
yelled Senator Bradley.