New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-21
Iny TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE ,

Albany FEB eo-rhe Senate Judiciary Com
mittee about completed to-day its investigation OF
the report that an attempt had been made 20 bride
Ave OF the Erie County Assemblymen - vote for
AN amendment Of the Buffalo Police bill Lieu
tenant Governor Sheehan gave some Interesting
testimony IN the course Of which ne declared fhat
he knew Of no attempt a: bribery. After the Lieu
tenant Governor had taken the oath as witness.
Senator OConnor. the chairman Of the judiciary
Committee. sand % him: when did YOU first hear
of the charges of attempt 10 influence the action
of any member of the Lcgisature?"
''The first | heard Of IT," answered Mr. Sheehan.
was when | read the account OF ii in the news
papers at my home
DO you know Of money being used to corrupt
anybody
NO, a cent. never thought OF H." said Mr..
Sheehan. rosolutely
Then Senator O'Connor asked another kind Of
question: DO you know Of any approaches being
made to influence corruptly the action Of any Of
the members of the legislature"
Not corruptly," replied Mr.. Sheehan He then
said with an air Of meditation. If trying TO recall
something to his memory. Il recall that some
weeks ago Assembyman Coughin came 90 my room
in the morning and said that he had met Sebert
the night before at the Del&van House. and that
he stated he was in favor of amending that bill
so TO give the power to the next Mayor to APP
point the commissioners. and that he was going
to tell the other Republican members to do the
same thing"
do YOU know Of Inducements being held out
sebcrt that he could name his Democratic op-
ponent this fall?
II never heard Of f." answered Mr.. Sheehan
until read II in the newspapers"
DO you know OF an, body going 70 members OF
the Legislature" said Senator O'Cornor, TO in.
huonce their action legislation or IT, suhjcct?"
Not Improperly" answered Mir. Stcehan. Il
presume Coughin has talked with some of them
and have myself"
'OnuJr rcYrlri>al that tlp examination
OF Mr.. Shcehan. So far as the Senators We're con-
cerned, was closed He asked if any Of tAc n.v-s-
any que tons. Gcorge ". B,a.c. Of ''Th, New
l0rk World, iheTcug'n sa-i - MI Sho5hln: Nj
if he would consent t. mis- AMENDMENT ana vote
for It he would make his race easy ler I'm tais
:a! in Erie County. Had he the power ID arrange
thai
Mr.. sheehan replied: u don; rccollec; TIA; Sci
he said ne would make friends for himself. and
Mr. E!ake continued ms inveIlsa;sn Of the III, il
Coughn hai no right to give him tas assurance?
VINO is the man thai has tnat privilege"
corlns to 'Tae Ncw-York Worla.' l would nc:'
This ended Mr. SAeehan's testimony. Several Of
brown. of THE Nev-York Herald" stated taat he
had Obtained the Information Tor his dispatch from
Mr. Muriin Of The New-York Tribune stated that
his dispa;cn Wts based upon iniqrm Pm, given
power TO name weak Democrat as his opponent
also had mad something said to him which he could in
terpret offeT Of money. and which could yet
be explained away as not an offer Of money. In
reply 10 questions. Mr.. Mur.in stated that he was
president of the Legislative Correspondents As
ISOLATION Its sole object TO keep lobbyists IN
the guise Of newspaper correspondents off the floor
OF the Senate and the Assembly Chambers. The
association had had only meeting this year. at
which the members had inspected lists OF al!e-ed
newspaper correspondents. had sent them 70
Speaker Mal5v and Senator Saxton. and had drawn
W letters informing the speaker and the President
pro torpore to who could be considered as news
paper men. legit!maely pursuing their prof ssion
IN reply TO further questions Mr. Murlin said
that Nj. Sheehsn had been ms!n;0rmed when he
was led to believe tha; there was New-YH-k
ordination Of correspondents adverse - him or
any other public man. or any combination 70
"pIf'' certain public men. There was absolutely
n truth in such a report II Mr.. Sheehan had been
criticised by certain newspaper correspondents for
resisting the expulsion from the senate Of John
McCar;y. for his course in opposing The Buffalo
IIOTe Rule bills. this criticism was due - ms &C
ton as a public o.rcer. and not 70 any desire 70
max a personal attack upon him.
William NcMurtrie Speer, correspondent OF The
Nov;-Yorll sun" said that he mad not seen Assem-
b,yman Seibert. and. therefore. could not give any
testimony upon this point The committee then adj
formed until the coming week.