New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-23
THE TESTIMONY,

SENSATIONAL STORY ENDS
THE TESTIMONY
Senator OConnor did not look as Imposing as he
generally does when he arrived in the courtroom
Yesterday. He had a summer shirt and looked
wtlted. Senator Bradley seemed TO be warm also.
hut Senators Lexow and Pound bore up well. De
IAncey Nicoll reappeared after an absence of sew
eral days the Constitutional Convention. He
assured the Senators that the weather pleas
ant in Albany. Mr.. Gon called the names OF a
or more of witnesses. some OF whom were in court
and some OF whom were not. Policeman James
Kelly. who mentioned on Thursday in connec-
ton with the levying of blackmail upon merchants
aid not answer 10 his name.
When the first witness had been sworn. Mr. Nicol
arose and asked whether Gideon Granger stil
under the protection of the committee.
MI Gon in Yankee fashion. answered the inquiry
with another question: Il would like Mr. Ncoll TO
know the condition of Mr. McClave's health"
Il don't know the state Of Mr.. McClave's health"
replied Mr. Nicol. IF Granger is still under the
protection of the committee. have something to
say If he is not. have something to do"
Mr. Goff would give no information about Gran
ger. and Senator LexOw said that the inference
was that Granger was still under the committees
protection.
Then" said Mr. Nicon. Il want to say that
Granger met me in the street and told me ne was
tired OF bucking against McClave He wanted to
come 20 my Office and give me the inside facts
about Mr.. Gons examination of McClave and other
witnesses. I told him 10 get away. l want to call
on the committee 70 protect me from Granger"
Mr. Golf said pleasantly: The Fourth OF July is
approaching, and if a skyrocket explodes it Will
harm no one. We are therefore glad to have Mr..
Nicon back"
4 want Granger kept from making corrupt prop
osl,!ons TO me-" insisted Mr. Ncon.
A GOOD RETORT ON MIR. NICOLL.
u am sorry. Mr.. Nicon" retorted Mr.. Gon, that
YOU are not above temptation"
Then Mr.. Goff began the examination Of the wit
ness S Rawitser dealer IN woollen rags at No. 1SS
Duane-st. who said he had come there against
his will.
ON the conducting Of your business, do you
sometimes find II necessary TO occupy the side
walk? Ayes. II is unavoidaby necessary at
times.
ODD the police interfere with you? Ayes.
from time 10 time.
Odd you pay anything to them? Am one
instance paid an ordinance policeman.
O-You paid him yourself? A.-No. Ny mana
ger. Montrose Bermas. did
Q-How much? A.-Once s25 and another time
so
O-The trouble ceased when you paid? Ayes.
until a short time ago, when two Of our men were
arrested.
To Mr. Nicol. the witness said he didn't believe
that his firm violated the law, because the bales
were moved rapidly as possible.
Bermas was then sworn. Mr.. Gon asked:
Q-WM you tell about your payments 10 the
police? A-Several years ago we were served with
a summons In an action by the Corporation Attor-
ney 10 show cause why should not be fined
went 10 court three four times. but
the case was always adjourned l got tired Of
This. and decided 1t was better to pay the penalty
which was small-s7 So perhaps l did pay It,
THE ALL-POWERFUL WARD MAN AGAIN
little later was telling neghboring mer-
,hant about our trouble. why don't you
see the ward MANI he said. 1 answered
that had no means OF reaching him. Soon after
ward man came 10 me. He said he was the
officer. and had heard that wanted to see HIM
told him about the trouble. He said 1t would PROP
ably be necessary 10 contribute something then we
would be troubled less. He mentioned $50 a year
as the sum. I paid 1t soon afterward.
O-Do you know his name? A-No.
Q-How often DID you pay him? A-Once
Odd YOU pay any other officer? AYES. an
other man came. He said the precincts had changed
captains and II was time for another contribution.
o-Uas the price raised? Ayes. The last pay
Inent was $50 g..
O.-When was that made? A-WltMn the last
year and a half or two years
O-Do YOU know his name? A.-No.
O.-Have you had any trouble since? A-Two OF
our men were arrested. 1 think it was early IN
this year.
o. 49,
veope.
senator Iexow-Did he ask you 10 put It in an
s,vA;one9 Ayes He said he had no interest in
the matter.
o-What reason was given for the increase? A
rha officer said those were the orders 1t was at
the time OF the change Of the captains
BROwBEATING A WITNESS.
Mr. Nicoll began an onslaught on the witness.
He said he wanted ito tear the mask OF virtue
from these men, who paid the police. lie said II
was outrageous that they should pay patrolmen.
Mr. cor AZ last asked the committee TO protect
the witness from this browbeatlng Senator OCon-
nor wanted 10 know from Mr.. Nicon how II wouid
help his case 70 show that the merchants had Vlo-
a,ed a city ordinance. The lawyer for the police
admitted that blackmail had been practised' Out
tried 70 show that the victims were as much 10
blame as the vampires IN uniform. incidentally
Mr. Goff remarked: The police spare no one
They will tax religion next" Senators OConnor
and Lexow complmented Mr.. Gon on his hard
work
Mr. Con- conducted brief but extremely effective
OF John F Pupke coffee and tea mer-
chant at Nos. l03 and lO5 Warren-st.
Q-Do you sometimes occupy the sidewalk with
your merchandise? Ayes.
ODD you ever pay cent for the privilege? A.
Not that I know Of
Q-Have you been fined? A great many times
Q-How much? Alive and ten dollars.
(Which member of your firm belongs TO ram
many Hail? Aired Wiemann
THE TANMANY MAN FIXED II.
o-You understood he fixed it? Ayes. he has
,ften gone 10 the Judge and fixed IT.
Mr. GOff-That Is all.
The next man testified with his gaze hXea on the
ioor. He did not even glance into Mr.. COTS big
blue eyes lie was Louis Stager manager Of cafe
md restaurant at Fifth-st and Second-ave lie SAID
he had been in the liquor business at Nos 20 and
Il Bowery.
Q-How long were you at No 2j5? A.-Two years.
Q-What kind of a license did you haveY A
Concert hall and excise
Q-What did they cost you? A-Ihe concert nan
Vas $50 every three months. and the other 81"
rear.
Q-were you raided at No. 255? Ayes
Q-More than once? A.-No