The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-15
CAPTAINCIES VERY COSTLY.
CTeedOn COnfeSSeS That He Paid Si5.-
900 for His Promotion.


Himself-Polics Commissioner voor-
his Understood to Have Received the
$4,000, as He Was the One to Name
the Appointee.
New York, Dec. M-Policeman Gus
Thorne was indicted by the grand jury
this morning for completely in the brib-
ery for which ex-Captain Stephenson was
convicted, and also for perjury on account
Of his testimony given at the trial. The
Indictments were filed at 1 o'clock and by
. o'clock Thorne was in custody. He was
arraigned later in the court of oyer and
terminer to plead to the charges.
An eager throng Of people crowded
around the superior court, where the
Lexow committee is in session, this morn
ing anxious to hear the testimony about
Police Captain Creedon, who is accused
Of having paid $4,000 for being promoted
to a captaincy. A score of policemen, all
under subpoena, and Capts. Allaire,
Strauss and schmittberger were present.
Capt. Schmittberger was the first wit
ness called. His counsel, William F.
Howe, was present, and Schmittberger re-
ferred all questions to Mr.. Howe before
replying. To a question from Mr.. Goff
How much did you pay for your ap-
pointment" Mr.. Howe objected, upon the
ground that his client was already under
Indictment The objection held good and
schmittberger left the stand and Capt.
Creedon took his place.
The proceedings thence forward became
most sensational in character. Capt. Cree
don denied yesterday that he had paid for
his appointment as captain. To-day he de-
clared that after consultation with his
family and his friends, he had decided to
make a clean breast Of the matter He
then told in detail the story of how he paid
$4,000 to be appointed a captain. The
money, he declared was raised at the sug-
geston of John w. Reppenhagen, leader
Of the New York democracy, who told him
the gift was at Commissioner Noorhis' dis
posal, and he (Creedon) could get 1t by
paying $4,000.
Creedon said he went to Barney Rourke,
who straightway raised a subscription on
notes which the soon to be captain signed
in blank.
After the $4,000 was raised, Creedon was
told he would have to get $1,000 more as
Sl2 900 had been offered by Sergeant Wieg-
and, of the Ninth precinct
The additional sum was raised and after
a talk with Commissioner Noorhis, during
which he denied all knowledge of any fund
having been raised, he received his ap-
pointment.
The $4,000 was handed over to Reopen
hagen a few days after Creedon received
his appointment. The captain was vislply
agitated during the recital of his story ana
declared that for years he had hoped to get
promotion on his merits, but he had been
ignored, though he had three times passed
the civil service examination with hlsh
percentage.
He told of being approached once and
being informed that he could have an ap-
pointment to a captaincy by paying $o'UOV'
He refused but later had to bow down 10
the sytem, knowing it was rotten ana
corrupt, or remain sergeant All ms ne
The court room was crowded 10 lts ut
most capacity, and when Mr.. Con, IN con-
cludinp the examination of Capt. Creedon,
thanked him in behalf of the committee
and declared that in consideration of his
record and the services he had rendered 10
his country, he would not be disturbed III
his precinct, there was burst Oh ap-
plause from the spectators, which contln-
ued for some time.
After Reppenhagen had been recaileu
and confirmed the story of Capt Creedon,
news was received in the court room that
the police commissioners, acting on the
advice of Superintendent Byrnes, had sus-
pended Capt. Creedon from duty. Ihere
was much excitement for time, anu
after a hasty conference with the Senate
committee Mr.. Golf announced that ne mad
issued subpoenas for the police commis-
i sioners and Superintendent Byrnes TO eX-
plain their action. The spectators cheered
at this announcement.
Later Police Commissioner Martin ana
Superintendent Byrnes took the stanu'
They declared that when they DECIDED 10
suspend Capt Creedon they had not hearo
Of the z~.nmittee's recommendation that
he be retained on the force. In view OF
a this recommendation, they stated that
steps would be taken tomorrow 10 re-
scind their hasty action. This statement
was also greeted with applause 1rom tne I'3
i spectators, whose sympathies were all
i with Capt. Creedon.
cess that Mr.. Goff applied, testified that
he had paid $4,000 of the money to eX-
Assemblyman John Martin, VINO was
known as the dispenser of Commissioner
Noorhis' patronage. The other So'OVO ne
retained himself Reppenhagen knew the
money was to be used as a bribe, and the
a man who had the power of appointment
d was John R. Voorhis. There was no un-
Outstanding between Martin and the VII
ness as to what Martin should do with
4 the $4,000. Martin told him to keep So'Uoo.
We have subpoenaed Mr.. Marllh' sdlu
Mr.. Goff, land have just received mes
sage from him that he has been paralyzed
since the last election" He is now
saloon keeper.
When Capt. Creedon concluded his testi-
mony, Mr.. Goff said: Captain, the COM
mittee desires me to express their SYM
pathy with you in the unfortunate po-
siuon in which you are placed. They also
desire me to say that they think public
interests would not be served by disturb
ing you in your present position as police
captain"
=, There was great cheer at this. Then
Napt Creedon shook hands with all the
senator's heartily, and with Mr.. Gon.
another great cheer and hand clapping
'ook place as he left the stand.
ne former Police Commissioner Voor-
ms IS now Police Justice John r. Voorhis
VI lhe Jefferson Market.
ne was interviewed this afternoon and
renounced as false Reppenhagen's state
nteht about the $4,000 He knew nothing
Ipoout the matters that Capt. Creedon and
tesppenhagen had testified to, and charac-
I1lzeo the story as ridiculous.
SuStlce and Police Commissioner Noor-
W mas been a prominent figure in New