The herald., 1894-12-15
TOLD THE WHOLE TRUTH.
Captain CreedOn's Startling
Confession.
He Paid $4,000 for a Police
Captaincy.
His Testimony Created Profound
Sensation.
Superintendent Byrnss. Now York Po-
Iics Commissioners. and Richard
Croker Summoned Before the
Lexow COMMITTEES.
By the Associated Presl

By the Associated PresL
New YORK, Dec. 14.-Police Captain
Creedon confessed before the Lexow
committee today that he paid $15 900 to
secure his csptaincy. A few hours
later he WAS suspended from the force
by the board of police commissioners,
on recommendation of Superintendent
Byrne, who WAS instructed to prepare
charges against him. The Lsxow COM
mittee had agreed that Creedon should
be granted immunity from punishment
for his purchase OF a captaincy, and
when the action OF the police commits
eioners became known. they, as we'll as
Superintendent Byrnes, were subpenaed
to appear this afternoon before the in
vestigating body.
Captain Creedon's confession was the
biggest sensation brought forth by the
Lexow committee. IN itself the cap.
tain's statement was merely q cOn6rma-
ton of testimony elicited before the
committee. but the startling facts, es-
seniially interwoven with his sensation
al exposure, fasten the taint OF dis
honor and corruption upon men who
have had some OF the most responsible
offices in the gift OF the community. But
public censure 10 not heaped on Creed-
on's head. He had served in the local
police department for 80 years with
honor and distinction. He is war
SCARED veteran, " hose record shows that
in % engagements of the civil war he
risked his life for his country. The
captains fault is forgotten by the popu-
lar 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 committee proceedings.
throughout the official channels OF near
relation to the public matters involved
in the investigation.
Com missioner Sheehan, when told OF
Creedon's statement, asked: "Who got
the money 2"
When told this point had not yet
boon fully developed. he said: THAT'S
what they want to find out. Ii they
kaep up their investigation long enough
guess they will"
The scenes in and about the meeting
room of the committee in the old Tweed
court house were Sensational and
dramatic. Men were moved by passions
and emotions they had never felt be-
fore. The court room was filled with
representative citizens who were desir-
GUS of hearing the testimony. The cap
tain had said on the witness stand that
he had paid no money for his captaincy,
but today after Captain Schmittberger,
who is under indictment, refused by ad-
Woe of his counsel, to answer questions.
Creedon was allowed an opportunity to
tell the truth. He told it,.
He had been reared in that part OF
Ireland where the role of informer WAS
deemed the most despicable of human
characters. He had prepared TO sacrifice
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 and with
downcast eyes. He was moved bv con-
flicting emotions. and the ~ mpathy of
his audience went out to the white
haired veteran. In a straightforward
though shame-faced manner he told
how he had risen from the
position of patrolman to sergeant. The
expense of educating his eight children
had been very great. and he wanted the
position of captain with its increased
emouments. He had submitted the
matter to his friends. They raised the
money. The amount necessary to So
cure the appointment was 5,OOO, be-
cause Sergeant Wigand had offered
$4,000. His friends, Barney Rourke
and John Rappenhagen, secured the
money, ostensibly on his notes. he
had paid the money to ex'Assemblyman
Jonn j. Madden. 1t was his under
standing that the funds went to Police
Justice Voorhees,
The conclusion vf Captain Cresdon's
testimony was followed by an impress
siye pause, and Mr.. Goff apologized for
causing the captain the unpleasantness
he had experienced. Tears spifused
Creedon's eyes. A sympathetic emotion
ran through the audience.
And" continued Mr.. Gof, sit is the
unanimous opinion of this committee,
in view of the splendid 80 vices you
have rendered to your country and 10
the community. that the public inter-
ests will not be subserved by disturbing
you in your position as police captain. "
Then there was 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
mem Der of the committee aud Counsels
GOH, Jefomo anu Moss sAooh uio Anuo
warmly.
There WAS another burst OF applause
and Captain Creedon walked from the
court room crying.
Then John W. Rappenhagen testified
that he handled the money. He wa,
given the money and in turn he handed
over $40 0O0 to Honest John" Martin
for the benefit of Com missioner Voor-
hees He kept the remaining $4,000 fol
himself He was the go.between. Rap
penhagen swore Voorhees, lied if he said
he did not get the money.
Mr.. Golf said he had subpenaed
Martin but word hsd come that that in
dividual was suffering from paralysis.
1t was during the afternoon session
that Mr.. Goff learned of Captain Cree
don's suspension. The committee be-
came excited.
"Subpena all the commissioners,