The evening world., 1894-03-15
TOWN MONEY THEIRS.
That Seems to Have Been the
Idea of McKane ct AL.
Sutherland and Newton Simply
Grabbed All Fines.
Muddle After Muddle in the Graves
end Accounts.

The Citizens Committee investigating
the Irregularities in the accounts of John
Y. McKane, to-day furnished Lawyer
George F. Elliott with more data for
the court proceedings which he proposes
to take.
Within the last twenty-four hours the
Committee have brought to light the
most fragrant cases OF fraud. and there
is no longer doubt that McKane de-
frauded the town out OF several hundred
thousand dollars.
SO conclusive Is the evidence brought
out by the Committee that the most
intimate friends of McKane are giving
up the task of attempting to prove his
innocence. They have turned all their
attention to hindering the work of the
Committee.
Lawyer Elliott says their endeavors
to shield McKane are useless, as the
evidence furnished so far by the Com
mittee Is beyond question. 1t not only
proves McKane's guilt but shows that,
under his protection, other officials have
been robbing the taxpayers OF the town
for years. The only question with the
Committee now Is to determine the eX-
act amount stolen.
Contractor O'Rourke and James Nc
Kane now deny that they have had an
expert at work on McKane's books. The
trouble is, 1t was learned from another
source to-day, that they have examined
McKane's accounts. and are unable any
longer to shield him.
The contractors who have done work
In Gravesend are now UP in arms
against Mcksne. They are furnishing
the Committee with many new facts,
threaten the ex-supervisor with innu-
merable suits.
According to their statements, Nc
Kane not only robbed the town and its
taxpayers, but also defrauded con-
tractors out Of the money due them.
Ing the erection OF the electric lighting
plant. the Committee have learned that
the 5000 drawn from the appropriation
& Miller, of 42 Cortlandt street. New
York, for the boilers, which they fur
nished
and it is believed now McKane appro--
priated the money for the purpose OF
paying fioaters who swelled the vote of
the town election day.
that McKane drew 5000 from the cleo
trio lighting plant appropriation which
was due contractors. but which they
claim now was never paid.
If all McKane's victims bring suit to
recover the amounts due them and judg-
ments are obtained. there Will be little
or nothing e left conev OF ms s.n property at
The money which McKane's friends are
trying to raise on his property, IT Is said;
Is intended to pay these contractors ana
prevent the suits being brought. Nc
Kane's friends are trying to raise $50
| 900 for this purpose. but so far. 1t Is said,
they have been unable to negotiate
One Of the most recent disclosures Is
that since Aug. /. 1891, until Dec. 80 last
the County Treasurers books show that
tees Of Gravesend for fines collected
from Justice Gladding, who has always
been regarded as on the outer fringe
years Justices Newton and sutherland
did not turn over to the County Treasur-
er a penny for fines collected:
with other members OF the Town Board
for emitting to, redistrict the town: he
recently refused to vote with sutherland
and Newton for Mckane's & successor uS,s, orv ana
small, portion OF the patronage OF the
The fees In the two years In question
amounted to $40, $40. 40 for Sutherland and
| sl4, ,36OO5 for Newton. They are paid at
the rate of so cents for each prisoner SEN
fenced. 1t seems incredible to the Com
sented by the fees Of these two justices
were sent to the penitentiary in default
OF their fines. The majority of the .pris-
oners in Newton and Sutherland's baili-
wick were arraigned for intoxication or
disorderly conduct. The penalty in such
cases Is a fine
The books of the County Treasurer
| would show that all the prisoners ar
raigned were sent to prison.
The Committee has discovered one spe-
| cifc case where a prisoner was fined
| S25 by Newton.
The discovery of the Committee has
brought about state OF affairs which
may result In serious complications.
Many persons who have been fined by
| that the money be refunded on the
ground that the higher courts reversed
| the decision of the Justices of the Peace.
Mr.. Adams said to-day that he did not
auested, when for two years he had not
"ecelved a penny from Newton or Suth-
| erland.