The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-23


Latest Disclosures in the Gotham
System of Practical Politics.
NEW YORK, June l.,
OO1HILE today's hearing OF the
lUhUI Lexow committee was not
.WWI sensational, it was instruc-
uu tive. The first witness, Simon
Rawitser, dealer in rags, testified to
his firm using the sidewalk for bailing
and shipping rags, and being summon
ed to court for obstructiug the side
walk. He compromised with some
alleged court officer by the pay.
ment of two sums of S25 and $50. The
officer told the witness that it might
be settled by little annual contribu-
tion, and thereafter the witness paid
SEQ year for two or three years. and
the firm enjoyed immunity from an
noyance and persecution. Then the
tariff was raised to $50 year. The
money was always put in an envelope
and handed to the officer. The reason
given for the increase In the rate from
500 to $50 was. the witness said, accord
ing to his best recollection, that new
captain wus in charge of the precinct.
been made against him for cucumber
ing the sidewalk. The notice stated
that If the soda water stand was not
removed Immediately on receipt of the
notice it would be taken to the corpora
tion yard. The officers Of the bureau Of
membranes and the alleged COM
plainants will be subposnaed before the
committee.
Nathan Levy, of No. 215 East Ninety
eighth street. said he had a soda water
stand in front of his house which did
not encroach on the sidewalk A couple
of days ago nun called at his place
and told him that his brother must
leave town and not testify against
John J. Ryan. The witness said that
his brother would not 20 and the man
then told him that he would not be nj.
lowed to keep his soda water stand
there any longer. Yesterday the
witness said he received notice
from the bureau of encumbrances
notifying him that complaint had
John F. Pupke, a coffee and tea mer-
chant, at 1903 Warren street, said lre
used the sidewalks; that he had been
summoned to court once for obstfuct-
ing the sidewalk and fined $5 or $40.
Since that time he had not paid any
more fines. He had been summoned
again, but bis partner. Frederick VIE
man, who was a member Of Tammany
Hall, saw the judge and got the matter
settled or excused.
LAW USED FOR REVENGE.
Another case Of payment to the po,
lice for the use Of the sidewalk was tes
titled to by Isadore Berg. dealer in
woollen rags and waste at No. 17G
Duane street. He said that he had been
fined several times for encumb bering
the sidewalks, when one day he spoke
10 the policeman on the beat of the an.
noyance he had been subjected tt
in this way. The officer told him
that he would send some one Il
him who would FIX" the mat
ter all right. Another officer named
Kelly called on him, and after some
discussion the officer told him that il
would cost him $50. He compromised
on $25, and the money was paid in the
usual way by being handed to the off
Ger in an envelope. The witness there
after was subjected to no interference
in the use OF the sidewalk
POLICE CoRMoRANTs.
Henry Schuchert, an old German
carpenter of 42S East Fourteenth
street, was the next .'tness. Tn,
witness told of his having saved som,
money and bought q little place in
Pearl street twenty years ago. which
he started to arrange as saloon ant
eating house. One night Captain
Williams and couple of police off
GERS entered the house, took the KEY
ont Of the door and arrested the wit
ness and his wife on charge Of keep
ing disorderly house. On the way t
the station house Captain William
asked him. the witness said
what he meant by opening 6
disorderly house without first see.
ing him, and said that IL he (the wit
ness) paid him $75 down and SIS
month afterwards, he could continu
to keep house of disrepute. The wit
ness insisted that his house was u re
spectacle one, and he refused to com
ply with Williams demand. Tn
prisoners were admitted to bail in 81,
900. and that was the last Of the case
Williams threatened him with arres
again when he asked for the key Of hi
house. He returned to his house, but a
he feared the police and did not wan
10 have any trouble with Williams, h
gave up the house and returned to hi
business as a carpenter.
THIS CAPS THE CLIMAX.
George Alexander. native OF Cor
statinople. 81 years Of age, told a tai
Of police blackmaii and tyranny an
disgracsful neglect Of duty which at
tracted the closest attention Of tn
committee. From his story 1t appear
that he kept small restaurant at Nc
20 Catherine slip. Soon after b
bought the place. a policeman calle
his attention to small stand outsid
the restaurant containing tho usus
sample steak, etc., and gruffly tol
him to take II in or pay So ever
two months for the privilege of keepin
II outside. He said that he could nc
afford to do 80, but the officer was oh
durare, and therefore hs pawned hi
watch TO get the money. as the offic,
insisted on the money being paid Q
once. He paid the IS regularly for
year, or until about the beginning
1894 Then he went into business wit
partner In q small restaurant at
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