The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-12-29
MARTINS TESTIMONY.
The Police Commissioner Before
the Investigators.
DENIES KNOWLEDGE OF BRIBERY.

He Declares That for Physique and IntelII-
genee the New York Police Force Cannot
be ExoelIed-Lawyer Con Arouses WILL
iams to Wrath.
NEW YoRK, Dec. 29-There seemed to be
lull yesterday in. the interest manifested
blythe public during the previous sittinEs Of
the Lexow committee but before Mr.. Golf
had got woll under way the court room
rapidly filled and there was the usual
throng of spectators.
Inspector Williams again faced Mr.. Goff
and resumed his hard, dry denials Of ever
having received any money or bribes Of
any description. He got very angry when
questioned about his wife's diamonds, par
ticularly diamond cross, in regard to
which Mr.. Golf asked him If 1t came from
woman OF i'll repute.
II never saw such a thing, and brand
the statement as lie," he shouted.
"You have got rich on the proceeds Of
police corruption" said Mr.. Golf.
eff were rich man would not be
here now answering your questions" re-
piled the witness.
"Did you say to policeman that you
were not such chump as to invest your
money in brownstone houses, where IL
was bound to come out some time, but
that you had your money invested in good
American bonds?"
1.-THE person who says that ia liar, and
YOU are liar If you say SO, too" ex-
claimed Williams. angrily.
Mr.. Golf objected to the Language, and
Chairman Lexow tried to calm the wit
moss
Inspector Williams was questioned as to
the dimensions OF his yacht and then rs to
his wealth. He said he was worth about
e35, 600 or $4,000. He had an account in
the Amsterdam bank. He owned no bonds
or securities, but had mining stock to the
value of 300. His Tenth street house was
not included in this estimate.
Williams denounced Schmittberger's
testimony against him as false and said
Schmittberger WAS liar.
did you not christen the precinct now
known as the 'Tenderloin' by that well
known name which has made it famousf"
well, in speaking to a reporter said
had been living on rump steak in the
Fourth precinct and that I was going to
have some Of the tenderloin, as there were
better saloons, hotels and restaurants
there,
when you said that you preferred the
tenderloin to the rump, am / correct in
spelling the word steak STALKER
'No; you're of"
Anthony Comstook appeared with de
mand to be heard in regard to Mr.. Goff's
charge against him, but was refused, tho
committee deciding that the charge made
against him by witness does not come
within their province.
Commissioner Martin was the witness
who excited the most interest. He denied
that he had any knowledge of money paid
to the police by liquor dealers, or that
there had been any friction between Super
intendent Byrnes and himself.
In reply to further questions as to pay.
ment Of money Commissioner Martin
said:
II have heard Of money being paid for
promotions in the police department., and
also of money paid for appointments on
the force. / never could get any substan-
tial information on the subject. Any man
whom / recommended never paid any
money, as / would not be party to such
athing. If i knew a man paid money he
could not get on the force or remain on it,
During the sessions of this committee
have heard rumors of bribery, and am
very sorry to have been connected with the
department while such testimony was
brought out. By no act of mine have
contributed to such state of affairs. 1t
may possibly continue when we are all
dead and gone, as 1t has been said that 1t
has occurred since this committee has been
sitting"
As to the appointing of police captains
the witness said that all men being equal
in their examinations he took tho recon-
mendations of his political friends and
gave them the preference.
Mr.. Golf then said: ST saw General
Miles few days ago, and he told me that
when Colonel Rice was organizing the po-
lice for the Chicago fair no applicant who
came with recommendation was ap-
pointed, and in consequence that force
was the best ever organized on this con-
tinent.''
II have very great reasons for doubling
General Miles or Colonel Rices state
ments as TO the best force" said Mr.. Mar
tif
Continuing he said: "For physique and
intelligence the police force of New York
cannot be excelled by that Of any other
city"
1T has been shown to be the most do
PRAYED and corrupt" retorted Mr.. Goff.
well, there has not been any investi-
| eating committee In all other places as
yet" was the rejoinder.
Have you brought your bank books
with you, commissioner"
Eyes, sir" and the witness produced two
books and several check books, which he
handed to Mr.. Goff
He then made this statement about his
possessions:
II have at present $500 in the Union
Trust company and 1895 in the Empire
State bank. I hold no mortgages or GER
tifcates of deposit in my own or any other
persons name. I bought the house on
West Sixty fourth street in 1887 for SIC, 600.
where nv sister and family live and in
1889 bought another house for s25, 600.
paid $4,000, and there is still mortgage
on 1t for $4,000. This is all / am worth
in the world. was appointed police COM
missioner in May, 1889, and out of my
yearly salary of o, 900 have saved 90, 600
annually. !"
Mr.. Martin then left the stand and an
adjournment was taken.