The herald., 1894-12-29

was the p065e660f OF y Voty hion Usos~~,
he was excused until tomorrow morning
and told to bring his wiie's bank book
with him.
Commissioner James Martin WAS then
called to the stand.
'Mr. Martin, 1t has been said tnas
liquor dealers had ceased to pay money
to the police" Mr.. Gof said.
II don't know anything about It,.
Commissioner Sheehan said the deal'
ers had been paying b!sckmail and that
they were notified not to pay any
more"
II never knew OF such q notice to
them."
did the commissioners not try to find
out whether these men we're paying
blackmsil?"
I'VE had no facilities to do 80 except
to the present superintende and his
prsdecesso of the rumors of money be-
ing collected from the liquor dealers.
II did not feel justified in asking de-.
tectives to look up the matter, as did
not think l could get proper informa-
tion. l never neld conference with
representatives OF the liquor dealers.
met Tekuisky. Holland and Ssery indi.
vidually. but did not have any conver-
sation on the subject you speak Of"
Were the police captains changed to
different precincts on account Of their
receiving blsckmsil?"
mo, cir; we also depend upon Super.
intendent Byrnes to see the captains
did their duty, and we believed him TO
be capable and efficient officer"
He acknowledged that requests for
transfer OF captains were made by friends
of the captains and politicians, but he
did not think transfers thus made had
any detrimental effect on the DEPART
ment. He denied that any friction had
occurred between Superintendent
Byrnes and himself.
MONEY FOR PROMOTIONS.
In reply to further questions as to the
payment Of money Commissioner Mar
tin said:
II have heard OF money being paid
for promotions in the police departments
and also Of money paid for appoints
ments on the force. l never could get
any substantial information on the sub
jsct. Any man whom l recommended
never paid any money, as l would not
be party to such q timing. II knew .
man paid money he could not get on
the force or remain on il. During the
session OF this committee I have heard
rumors OF bribery and am very sorry
to have been connected with the de.
partment while such testimony was
brought out. By no act of mine have
contributed to such state OF affairs. II
may possibly continue when We are oil
dead and gone, 90 it has been said IL has
occurred since this committee has been
sitting"
Mr.. Goff then read long list OF writ
ten recommendations from various per-
sons in Office, ranging from Governor
Flower down, for appointments on the
force for their friends. AZ to the ap-
pointing OF police captains the commis-
eioner said, all men being equal In the
examinations, he took the recommen-
dations OF his political friends, and this
gave them the preference.
Mr.. Golf then said: II saw General
Miles q few days ago, and he told me
that when Colonel Rice was organizing
the police force for the Chicago fair, no
applicant who came with q recommen-
dation was appointed. and, In conss-
ouence. that force was the best ever Or
ganizsd on this continent"
II have great reasons for doubling
General Miles or Colonel Rice's states
ments as to the best force." said Com
missioner Martin. Continuing, he said:
"For intelligence and physique the
New York force cannot be excelled by
that OF any other city,"
1T has been shown to be the most
dspraved and corrupt" Tstortsd Mr..
Golf.
swell, there has not bsen an invss-
tigating committee in other places yet"
was the rejoinder.
"Havs you brought your bank books
with you, commissioner
YES" and the witness produced two
books and several check books, which
he handed to Mr.. Golf. He then made
his statement about his possessions.
II have ct present $500 in the Union
Trust company and 1886 in the EN- pire
State bank. l hold no mortgages or
certificates OF deposit in my own or in
any other PERSONS name. l bought the
house in West Sixty fourth street In
1887 Tor $4,000. where my sister and
family live. and in 1892 bought another
house for $4,000. l paid $4,000 and
there is still q mortgage on it for $40. 600.
This 10 all l am worth in the world. l
was appointed police commissioner In
May, 1889. and out Of my yearly salary
of $4,000 have saved $4,000 annually.
Mr.. Martin was then requested to be
prepared to come before the committee
tomorrow. and replied:
ANY time the committee desires,
will be az their service"
Mr.. Martin then left the stand, and
morning.