New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-22
THE "HUCKLEBERRY" ROAD.
LIGHT ON THE CORRUPT METHODS BY
WHICH THE CHARTER WAS OBTAINED.

HOW IT WAS CARRIED THROUGH IN ALBANY
TESTIMONY TAKEN BEFORE MR. sEwELI~-
TO COME BEFORE THE ALDERMEN.
The corrupt methods by which the "Huckleberry'
charter was obtained in the Tammany Legislature
of 1892 are slowly coming to light 1t Is pehe'ed
that the achievements OF Jake Sharp with the
Doodle Board of Aldermen OF 1854 would pale
before the operations al Albany In connec-
ton with the passage OF the bin giving TO the Union
Railway Huckleberry) Company franchises or I'M
mense value without provision for any substantial
remuneration to the city 1t may be remembered
that in the Legislature OF 1892 Richard Cookers
nod was law 10 the Democratic majority. thor
ough Investigation BY proper committee might DIS
close the way in which 100000 Of the stock was
divided after the enactment OF the charter.
A decision has just been given by Robert Sewel,
referee appointed by the Supreme Court IN an
action brought by Matthew p. Breen and Daniel r.
Cobalan against the Union "Huckleberry Com
pany to recover 100000 "for services rendered IN
favor Of the plaintiffs for $4,000.
In the testimony taken by the referee. which has
been published a Tammany ex-State Senator.
Charles A. Stadler observation-disclosures Will
lam F. Sheehan and other prominent state Demo.
cratic politicians figure unpleasantly
MARTIN j. KEOGH ATTORNEY.
Martin J. Keogh who is the Democratic candi-
date for Justice of the Supreme Court In the ia
judicial District, the lawyer for Messrs breeh
and Cohalan and William y. Cohen. of the law
firm OF Hoadly. Lauterbach & Johnson appeared
for the "Huckeberry" corporation
Matthew p Breen, in his testimony. shows that
n was thought best TO make the late Commissioner
Louis j. Hentz responsible for the scheme by get
ting from him report recommending the charter
Breen was employed for the purpose OF Influencing
Heintx- and he told how Anthony ~ Brady, VINO
was In the "Huckleberry'' deal, called on MN al
Albany and advised him to see Senator Stadier'
&c had
ment addressed to the Senate, favorable 10 'he
road, Breen told how he went to Albany sa"
Stadler, and how ex-Judge MCNAMARA aho'nei
director and stakeholder in the company ana A. ~
Brady approved Heintzs letter. Then ne continues
IN his testimony:
wen, 70 me he nres,dne officer Of the
lieutenant Governor Sheehan. and while was
there II was read to the Senate.
Q.--Read in open Senate? AoYes' ~. THO hill,
Q-Not before committee! 40. u iHe o1,
passed the next day day aftef-"i'i'H' "
couple Of days
Breen further testified in his direct examination
that he had made agreement win senator
stadler whereby he TO receive one-third OF
100000 In stock which Mr.. Stadler was 10 get as
reward for services performed at Albany. lie tesV-
fled that he had called Stadler at his house anu
that Stadler told him that he (Stader) w9ulc Turn
over the stock to him as soon as II WAS oe'''eie
MIR. sTADLER ON THE STAND
Ex-senator Stadler. when examined. admitted
first entered into service OH pehaii Vi inv
Huckleberry road when he had met Matthew r.
Isreen In 1889 He then Senator. He had
given Breen a letter of introduction to Anthony A.
Brady who is the largest stakeholder In the HucK.e
berry road at present. This letter was give" a4ei
he ceased to be Senator.
Mr. Stadler said In giving his direct evidence; /
advocated the building Of the Union Railway COM
pany with personal friends of mine Commissioner
Heintz was friend Of mine. made frequent
visits to his Office with view Of inducing MT.
Heintz 10 favor the Huckleberry bill"
He denied that Breen was to receive one,thlrd OF
$4,000 in stock in connection with his services per
ard that any such agreement was made between
himself. Brady and Breen He also denied having
had bought $50 900 of the bonds Of the road and p
.aa S sce s SSe p Of ing ISn
was S62,500 Two or three months aiter,, ne saiui
he bought $4,000 Gt SsS for hf f bT cheeR
for $4,000. He also admitted that he was 10 De le,
~ The account of MI stadler with the Nineteenth
Ward Bank submitted in evidence, ME- MI, St Stad-
All the the deposits were made between June and oc
tober 1892 These deposits we're rostly in large
amounts whereas previously his deposits had oeeh
small. , :. ST. ,os,,roDv before the referee
admitted that he and Sadler went 10 cS S
in the Annexed District in the spring OK lSs2 M
Stadler had denied this. He also admitted having
t the bill H. e''' " M -. .ou,n,.,n
ants. said this was not too great compensation
for nine months of the arduous service such as had
for the Peoples Traction Company. the rival of the
Huckleberry road. , - 49,,
The resolution offered in the Board az Alder
men last week by Alderman Hall annulling the
action of the Board OF August %. 1892 concerning
the Huckleberry extensions was duly referred 10
the Law Committee. At its meeting yesterday the
committee did not take up the "Huckle6erry ques-
fion II was said that testimony Will shortly ne
submitted 10 the committee exposing the corrupt
methods by which this charter was secured at Al
hanv and its approval obtained in New-York.
MI Sewell IN his report. says: The interference
of corporations and especially OF railroad corpora
lions in politics has been for many years crying
evil Means will undoubtedly be found by which
they will be continued and elections Will be un-
doubtedly Influenced by their money and by the
persons whom their money will induce to advocate
or oppose tho election OF members Of the Legisla-
ture or other public officers. Probably the evil
cannot be remedied even by stringent legislation
against IT, but II certainly should not be nursed by
the courts recognizing such power on the part or
corporations and legaizing their contracts for the
payment OF moneys 10 accomplish such q purpose"