New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-17
AN OPEN BRIBE OFFERED.
THE OUTRAGEOUS ATTEMPT TO BUY AS
SEMBLYMAN W. H. FRIDAY.

| CUTE THE BRAzEN coRRUPTIONIsTs.
There was CONSERVATION in political circles in
! Brooklyn last night when II was announced that
Assembyman w. II. Friday Of the XVIth District
contemplated bringing legal proceedings against
coterie of sporting men and political wire
pullers In Brooklyn and Gravesend for attempted
bribery. Mr. Friday has kept his intentions
double barred and double-locked. and only his
closest political friends knew that such a step
was seriously contemplated by him. The dis
closures will unfold another chapter of Graves
end crookedness
The last legislative session. 1t will be remem-
! bercd. about half over before Assemblyman
Friday was seated in the place Of James Graham.
The contest over the seat Is already ancient his
tory. AS soon az Mr. Friday had an opportunity.
In conjunction with Senator Wolfert he began
pushing the bills to the county towns Of
Gravesend. Flatbush. Flatlands and New
Utrecht to the city of Brooklyn. The opponents OF
the bills did not believe that the measures would
ever become laws and did not show any really
| bitter opposition unt the bills at the third
| reading. At that time occurred the great
'shake-up' In the Assembly. when n number Of
| lukewarm Republicans grew weary Of the molly
codding Tammany had been giving them by
helping them with local bills. They closed up
the Republican ranks for final fight on a num-
Der Of important party measures passed during
the closing days OF the session.
TIE orPosITIoNs DESPERATE FIGHT.
II was at this time that Messrs Friday. Wray
and Senator Wolfert and the other Republican
members pushing the annexation bills found diff
ficult sailing They met the opposition Of a
lobby whose pockets were fairly bulgng with
money 10 buy off Republicans who intended to
vote for the bills. Republican sentiment. how
ever was practically solid the side OF annexa-
ton. and the opposition discovered that the an
nexatonists were waging "A winning fight. II
became apparent that. Notwithstanding the near
approach of the time set for adjournment. the
bills would pass the Assembly. II was at this
juncture. two days before adjournment. MAT the
enemies Of annexation played their last trump.
1t was ~ 4 character t. shock the sense OF nom
csty IN any upright legislator On the Wednes-
day night before adjournment a man well known
in the town Of Gravesend and city Of Brooklyn
sought Mr.. Friday and requested Interview.
which was granted.
An INSULTING OFFER
The visitor spoke straight to the point. in sub
stance as follows:
Us fellows don't want Gravesend annexed
1t Will hurt our business and hurt the town
We know you've worked hard to get this bill to
a fnal passage and we don't ask that your
work counts FOR nothing. II you will vote and
work among Asscmbymen whom we will
name against the Grayesend bill we Will pay
you $1,000"
The Offer was promptly and emphatcally re-
fused. Mr.. Friday saying that he wasn't that
kind OF an Assemblyman: that the better class
of Brooklyn people desired the annexation o.
and enforcement OF law at. Gravesend above all
other towns. and that he should do his utmost To
pass the bin
Leave Gravesend out" spoke up the visitor
again. and well not only tlrn In and re-elect
you. but wen do better than our first offer
Wen give you $4,000. You are n poor man |
Your election cost you good deal Of money that |
youll never see again. and you'll have company !
from your party II you'll vote and work |
against the bill.
Moreover" argued the visitor many Demo- !
Gratis are going 10 vote for this bill on the ground
OF It's being good politics for them to do so" |
and Assemblyman Hennessy's open advocacy OF /
the bin was cited as afrordng chance for any |
Republican T. take the opposite side. The offer !
was peremptOrily refused.
MR FRIDAY SHOWS HIS CoLoRs
when Mr. Friday realized the strength Of the |
opposition to his bill. he went at once to Speaker |
Malby. with whom he was on excellent terms.
told him Of the situation and demanded on be-
half Of his constituents and the people of Brook
lyn that he receive recognition the first thing
votes became any more alarming.
'Ill do it," said Speaker Malby: and the next
morning. soon after the reading of the journal,
Friday rose to call 10 the Gravesend bill on
special order. The bill passed by Il safe margin.
Since the adjournment Assemblyman Friday
has been urged to prosecute the would-be br!ber
that the persons who sought 10 commit this crime
Will be proceeded against. Mr. Friday has
tained George +. Elliott counsel.
Assemblyman Friday was seen yesterday by n
Tribune reporter at his real estate office. No
2i3 Rcld-ave., Brooklyn. When the object OF the
reporters visit was mentioned. Mr. Friday looked
surprised and serious at TIE same time.
II didn't suppose any one had got hold Of It
this early" said he. IL don't believe I'm willing
TO say much about IT at present"
But. Mr. Friday, The Tribune. in behalf Of
Brooklyn people and Republicans everywhere,
desires 10 ask you point blank II you were offered
a brlbe by any one to XIII the Gravesend annexa-
tlon bill"
STORY or TiIE TRANSACTION
'Tnasmuch as the whole transaction will have
the sunlight Of truth shed on 1t before many
days" said the Assemblyman. Il will answer
the question in the Affirmative A certain party
lid come to during the closing hours of the
Legislature before the final vote on the Graves
end annexation bill, and offer me very large
sum II would vote and work for the defeat OF
he bill"
What did you tell him."
Il refused his offer. with ten times more
added to 1t. and showed him the door," said the
isscmblyman a grim smile lighting up his rug
yed face. ,
Were any OF your Republican colleagues from
Kings County approached in n like manner?'
II decline positively TO speak for any one but |
myself"
who put up the money!
II don't think I'll answer that either. as yet" |
aid Mr.. Friday.
WAS It not an ex-McKaneite' from Gravesend !
Who represented the low resorts, stands and
akirs and rough elements Of Coney Island?'
II will not say at present. 1t will doubtless all
ome out later"
Mr.. Fridays counsel. George +. Elliott. whose
flee is In the Garfield Building. Brooklyn. when ,
cen by The Tribune REPORTER yesterday. was :
bout TO depart for Gravesend on an important ,
IL. ia.