Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-14
Sensational Testimony Before the
Ie .ow Committee.
POLICE CAPTAIN CREEDON'O CONFESSION
His Position Was Bought for
$4,000.
SCHMITTBERGER IS SILENT

NEW YORK. December I.-Attorney
Golf began the proceedings before the
Lexow committee today with a reference
to the testimony given by Moran. the tug
boat owner, yesterday about the payment
of money to Richard Croker.
Now" said Mr.. Golf. IF Mr.. Croker
would like to clear himself of this charge
of extortion we will be very glad to have
him appear and vindicate himself. The
stand is always open to him. and now We
cordially invite him to appear and remove
the stain from his name
LAS L understand it. Mr.. GOff,' put in
Senator Lexow, 1.-The only reason why you
have not subpocnaed Mr.. Croker is be-
cause you fear that he will refuse to APP
pear on the ground that he is in no way
connected with the police department.
This he could do
YES" said Mr.. Golf, those are my rea-
sons"
Counsel went on to state that he would
like to dispense with the line of testimony
of yesterday for a few minutes in order
to call Captain Schmittberger. The cap
tain was called.
You are a police captain in this city,
believer" asked Mr.. Golf.
by the advice of my counsel shall de-
cline to answer all questions" answered
Schmttberger.
NOW, L desire TO nave tnlS question put
on record. though the witness may not
answer if he does not care to do so. How
much did you pay for your captaincy?'
Attorney Howe arose and said that at
pre- sent Captain Schmittberger was under
Indictment and he had advised the captain
not to answer these questions. the tes-
tmony would operate against him at his
trial
Mr.. Golf allowed Captain Schmittberger
tC CO.
Captain Creedon was then recalled to the
stand
Now, captain" Mr.. Golf said. 81 suppose
yesterday and have arrived at some con-
clusion in the natter?
yes"
Il observed yesterday that when 1 asked
you how much you paid for your captaincy
you hesitated some time before you
swered. Now. can you give US the reason
for this?''
The captain, after some hesitation, re-
Piled II did not desire, and did not wish,
to implcate anybody else. especially peo-
pie whom l supposed We're my friends and
were present In court. l did not wish to
be placed in the light Of an infOrmer."
You were determined to sacrifice your
self sooner than be called an informer?'
Yes, sir. We were revolutionists in our
family, and the name informer in those
days in Ireland was"
81 understand" said Mr.. Golf.
The captain finally started off by telling
how he had passed a civil service eXamina-
ton. 1t was in December. 1891. that he
heard who to be appointed as cap
tains.
A friend of his asked him why he did not
go to one of the commissioners who had
one of the appointments.
Il Gid not do anything more just then"
went on the captain. Il was at the desk
one night when this friend came in. lie
spoke to me again about the matter. He
said that Reppenhagen was the county
democracy leader in the district and that
l ought to see him. Reppenhagen came
around to see ne about it. Reppenhagen
went to see Commissioner Voorhis and in
half an hour returned to me at the station
nc He stated that Commissioner Voor-
his would not make any appointment that
day. and that he would see me again. He
saw me subsequently and stated that the
place could be had for $1,000 l told him
it was considerable money"
''You were a poor MANI Interrupted Mr..
Goff.
Il was. sir: but 1 told him / would see
my friends. l saw number of my friends,
and told them whatever they agreed to l
would stand by. Reppenhagen told me that
another man had Sl2,HO up, and If / want
ed the place l must put up 5000 more"
Who was the other man. asked Mr.
Goff.
Must / say?" pleaded Capt Creedon.
You must" said Mr.. Golf quietly.
well, sir. IL was Sergt. Wiegand."
Wiegand is now acting captain in the
fourteenth precinct.
Smell and John ]. Martin came to the
station h )use ore day together and asked
me If / knew that any money had been
raised for me. 1 told him No and the
two men returned to HEADQUARTERS. About
five minutes after they arrived they wired
me to go ever. l did so and found that 1
had been appointed and assigned to the
first precinct.
The si5co check. believe. was in Mr.
SHELLS handwriting?'
Yes"
And you were disappointed when YOU
assigned To he OF
We'll. somewhat. The money by the
way. was Withheld for 4 couple of days,
until finally l said Let 1t go; l will stand
the difference The money was paid over
to Reppenhagen."
Witness went on to say that he made
applications for promotion on several oc-
casions, and once sergeant below him in
the percentage scale had been promoted.
Money for Promotion.
AT either of these examinations were
you approached and told that you could
not &c. promotion unless you paid for it?"
Mr.. Con queried.
Il was"
Was any sum named?"
Yes; $3.50"
"And you refused to pay it?''
Yes"
Which examination was this?
The first"
Capt. Crcedon went Oh to say that at the
second examination he nau not been ap-
preached, but or the third he was appoint
ed when he paid the money.
Whom did Reppenhagen, to whom this
money was paid represent"
I've said that he represented Commits
sioner Voorhis,' was the answer.
Witness further said that he had con-
versation with Commissioner Voorhis af-
ter he had paid for his promotion, and that
the commissioner told him that if he paid
for his captaincy he had been cheated.
when this money was paid to Reopen
hagen did you not understand that it was
a bride to get your promOtion?"
Yes"
THAT he was to give this money to Com
missioner Noorhis was fully impressed in
your mind?'
Yes. sir, II was
Mr.. Goff at this point ceased his examina-
ton. and, dropping his tone. continued:
The committee desires to express. through
me, its great sympathy with you in the
shock to your feelings, and the unfortunate
position you have been placed in. 1 am
also directed to state that In view of your
superb record In the service Of your coun-
try, in the opinion of this committee
no public interest would be served II you
are disturbed in your present position as
police captain"
When he had concluded tina AMMAN "a