The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-15
CAPTAIN CREEDON TALKS
Informs the LexoW Committee of the
Cost of an Appointment.
A PROMOTION COST $4,000.
Was Promised the Plum for 81 10000, but
as the Demand Exceeded the supply
Was Obliged to Pay
Higher Figure.
BY the United Press.

hiShSi ii6uiSs
BY the United Press.
New York, Dec. 14.--Police Captain
Creedon in his testimony before the
LeXow committee confessed to paying
$4,000 to secure his promotion The
captain told how Rappenhagen, the
county Democracy man, called on him
and informed him that he would see
Commissioner Voorhes about his ap-
pointment; that subsequently he said
the place could be had for $4,000. This
figure was afterwards raised to $4,000
because another man, whom witness
said was Sergeant Wiegand was will
ing to pay $4,000. Witness consulted
his friends and they expressed will
ingness to loan him the money.
The captain then told how Mr.. Rap
penhagen proposed that Mr.. Smell should
be made stakeholder for the money that
was to be collected. "Thesmatter went
on for several days, until one afternoon
John j. Martin came to me and said
Commissioner Voorhes wanted to see
me. I went to police headquarters and
saw Commissioner Voorhes. He ques-
tioned me as to whether | had heard
rumors that money was being raised
for my appointment, and I said that
had not. | then returned to the station
house, but was hardly five minutes
there, before / was telegraphed for
from headquarters. | returned to head
quarters, and when got there l found
l was appointed captain and assigned
to the first precinct"
The witness said he thought Commits
sioner Voorhes questioned him so as to
eXculpate min if anything turned up in
the future.
Did Commissioner Voorhes say any
thing to you after you were appointed
captain%
Yes, sir; he met me on the street one
dayand said he had heard a rumor that
had paid for my appointment. He
told me if paid anything l was swim
died. He was not then a police COM
missioner"
when you consented that your
friends raise the money it was with
the intention that the person having
the appointment of police captain
Yes that was the intention"
"And that Rappenhagen was to pay
1t to that person?
YES. sir"
did you see Rappenhagen when
Commissioner Voorhees, told you If you
paid money you were swindled.''
4 ,|'No, sir; / thought it would be a
waste of time"
Mr.. Goff said: Captain, the commit
tee desires me to express their sympa-
thy with you in the unfortunate posi-
tion in which you are placed. They
also desire me to say that they think
public interests should not be served
by disturbing you in your present posi-
tion as police captain"
Applause for the Captain
There was a great cheer at this.
Then Captain Creedon shook hands
with all the senators heartily, and with
Mr.. Goff. Another great cheer and
handclapping took place as he left the
stand.
Mr.. Rappenhagen was called and
wished to correct his testimony yes
terday in regard to the $4,000 he ad-
mitted to have received about the time
Creedon was appointed captain.
He said he gave $4,000 to eX-Assem
blyman John Martin, who is chairman
of the New York Democracy, otherwise
called the Voorhes Democracy. He
gave the money to Martin in order tC
prevent the appointment of Sergean
Wiegand as a captain. The ther So, ,00i
he kept himself. Martin was recog
niGed as the man closest to Police Com
missioner Voorhes. He gave Martin
the $4,000 in cash. The agreement be
tween Martin and Rappenhagen wa'
that Martin should get $4,000 in casl
on the appointment of Creedon. HI
knew the money was to be used as
: bribe, and the man who had the power
of appointment was John R. Voorhes
There was no understanding between
Martin and the witness as to what Mar
tin should do with the $4,000. Martin
told him to keep $1,000,
After recess Rappenhagen was re
called and testified that it was hi
understanding that the money paid I,
Martin for Creedons appointment wa
to go in whole or part to Voorhes
Chairman Lexow said at this junctur
that he had received information tina
Superintendent Byrnes had file,
charges against Captain Creedon an,
that the police commissioner had sus
pended him pending his trial.
There was much excitement for
time, and after hasty conference wit
the senate committee Mr.. Goff an
nounced that he had issued subpoenae
for the police commissioners and Super
intendent Byrnes to explain their &C
ton. The spectators rose en- masse a
this announcement and cheered for sev
eral minutes.
Later Police Commissioner Marti
and Superintendent Byrnes took tn
stand They declared that when the
decided to suspend Creedon they ha
not heard of the committees recon-
mendation that he be retained on tn
force. In view of these rcommenda
tions they stated that steps would
taken tomorrow to rescind their hast
action.
IGROSVENOR ON PENSIONS,