The evening world., 1894-05-21
M'CLAVE A WITNESS.
Lexow Committee Resumes Its
Police Investigation.
The Commissioner Questioned
About His Business Career.
Odd Coincidence, of Inspector Will
iams's Vacation.

After a lapse of nearly six weeks the
Legislative Investigating Committee. of
which Senator Clarence Lexow is Chair
man. resumed It's sessions in the Com
mon Pleas General Term courtroom
this morning.
1t had been understood that the Com
mittee had finished its work on the cleo
ton fraud cases before the adjournment
of the Legislature, and that the remain
ing sessions would be devoted to the in
vestigation of the charges of blackmail
and general corruption which DIR. Park
bursts society brought against the Po-
lice Department.
Police Commissioner McClave was the
first witness called. The questions asked
by Lawyer Con-. counsel to the Com
mittee. were of a nature to call forth
expressions Of great indignation from the
Commissioner and protests from his
lawyer, Delaney Nicoll.
Under the fire of Mr.. COTS questions
Mr.. McClave grew angrier all the time,
and the elimination of his rage was
reached when Mr.. Goff accused him Of
banking funds received for bribery.
1t created a sensation in court, and
for a time there was great confusion as
49, ohothy ~ iilC u
ton.
A peculiar fact in connection with the
investigation was disclosed this morn
Ing, when It was announced that In
spector Williams was absent on leave.
This, 1t is said, was the balance of the
twenty days vacation granted him
At that time, the Lexow Committee
had just begun its work and the Inspec-
tor was absent for just one week. :
Now, when the Committee meets again,
IT is remarked as a singular coincidence
that he is allowed to a the remainder
o.. his twenty days leave.
De Lancey Nicoll. counsel for the Police
Department during the investigation.
called at Police Headquarters this morn
ing and had a long talk with Supt.
Byrnes.
The Senators finished a secret eau
Gus at 11.30, and took their places on the
Sas pre ssaty s @sm a OF o &c m cane
tor and Pound having come In during
the caucus. Police Commissioner shee-
sat down next to DR.. Parkhurst. but
they didn't seem to know each other.
MIR. Goff after a brief consultation with
gested that as the examination of the
witness would probably take all day the
Senator Iesow t told commissioner
Sheehan that IL he wanted to go he
could, but he kept his seat.
MT. CClaN SAID ne nau Deen IN the
lumber business since 1860. He had no
partners. but had conducted his business
s~lro'e-handed.
NJ rD Go you ever fail in business7" asked
81 was junior member of a firm that
How about 1862"
II did not fail at that time"
Didn't you then compromise your
debts for 10 cents on the doliarT"
Hasn't Mr.. chrisman made claims
against you for old debts?'
".WiiI YOU swear it,"
Mr.. Nicoii objected to these questions
md Mr.. Goff, wanted to know II Mr..
Nicoll represented him as counsel indi-
yidua,ly Ut was retained by the Police
Mr.. McClave said that he had retained
Mr.. Nicoll personally and so, had Com
At this point Mr.. McClave became
irritated and broke out very bitterly
against Mr.. Goff. -.
land you can go back to my ~babyhood.
think. however, that the insinuations
you make against me are uncalled for
"Mr. McClave! Mr.. McClavev" called
out Chairman Lexow in a voice OF pro-
Mr. Lei soi him we e. on are 7 an ss + H' 70 Eoq hear ss al
the witness has to say"
Mr.. Con went on to say that he was
OF this or any other witness who was a
public servant, for the purpose of show
Ing. ~ they had been living. as million,
wealth w Which they d% lisp ia"e' 'na'
Mr.. .McCiave said he was first elected
an Alderman in 1879, and had served
RePubi leans He na was Hs'c fiirs tT appol nt I
Police Commissioned by Mayor Edison
IN November, 1884. and was reappointed
by Mayor Grant.
" In your appointments and public &C,
tions are you guided by political consid
era,ions?" asked Mr.. Con:
II you mean to ask whether my ap'
pointments are made on the recommen'
dalton OF Republicans, / will say thai
they usually are. But SO far as politics
are concerned ! win say that during tn
Department, the only time that politics
ever came up in connection with tn,
board. a when we ~appuointed pol
clerks, ballot clerks and election inspec
tors"
Mr.. McClave emphatically denied tina
ne kept a book In which he charged III
appointments to the Republican party
or that he knew OF any such book bein,
kept by any other Commissioners showing
what appointments were credited Il
He said he had had a personal accoun
n the Bowery National ank for TWEEN
y-two years and an account as Treas
same bank. The Police Board account
are kept in the Importers n Traders
and Garfield National banks. Mr.. Nc
Claye Is also Treasurer OF the Board
"Do you ever speculate in Wal
mot now. l did buy a few shares
around In 1884 or 1866, / believe, and
have purchased some shares for In
Vestment since then"
What did you buy last?"
Some National Lead. preferred; 10
shares, l think. That was in 1890. NJ,
brokers' were Dominick & Dickerman
o. broadway"
dr Ms, MS9sSys said that in payment h