New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-05
DR.. Lyons
PERFECT
Tooth Powder
Used by people of refinement
for over quarter of a century
FORUS GOLD MINE
CORRUPTION REVEALED BY LEGlShA-
TIVE COMMITTEE AT TRENTON
HOW THE STATE OF NEw-JERsEY WAS LOOTED
BY AN OFFIC1AL-A WINES"
DAMAGING CONFESSION.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE FL

DAMAGING CONFESSION.
tPy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNEl
Trenton March 4-The first hour OF the senate
Investigating Committee, which conVehed III III"
Senate Chamber this morning turned 'he "en vi
..Rarney" J. Ford. ex-Superintendent OF 'he o'a'e
Uouse and ex-lobbyst. and showed now 'he STATE
has lost many thousands of dollars Inc most
1a,ro,ing testimony came wholly as a surprise TO
tho committee and Of the nature OF conieS-
sion from Alexander |. Reilly. OF Newark Ihose
rresent were Chairman Foster NJ voorhees, ana
Senator's skrm and Herbert. William H. Corbn,
~ Elizabeth COUNSEL Secretary Charles ii. Levy
Of Trenton. and Sergeant-at-Arms Captain Jack
Graham of Jersey City besides number OF wit
nesses and a large crowd of spectators. Including
nearly all the State officials. Ford was not present
Chairman Voorhees, announced that the work Tor
the present would be confined to an inquiry INTO
the charges OF extravaganza in the purchase OF
supplies for the State House. The annual expenses
OF the State House for twenty years were submitted
by Mr. Corbn. The report showed that in 1919 the
expenses were So so; and they continued about that
figure until Ford took hold. in 1889 when the ex-
penses jumped to $25 900. In 1890 they bounded 10
$4,000 and In 1891 the expenses amounted to Ao"'
in 1892 81 0oO in 1893 $500 and in 1894, Fords last
year, the State House expenses reached Sh'"" ford
in office only eight months OF TINS year. ou'
in that time he managed to spend 5000.
The erection Of nagpole and flag over the state
House was the first subject taken UP, ana con-
tractor, John Barlow. one OF Trentons Democratic
Excise Commissioners was called to the witness
chair lie said that Swan. the architect was 'he
first TO apprise him of the intention to erect the pole
He went on 10 tell how ne had called on MI Ford'
put in a BID and had the contract an hour later
Mr.. Barlow bid 1859. The work cost $751; leaving
$685. profit.
Abram swan. the architect. testified that there
was an understanding between Barlow ana Fora
over the nagpole matter. Swan declared that ne
done fo- 500 until after II was completed Wneh ne
learned that Barlow had been allowed N'''o by
Ford. -, -. :,
never supplied ar article Of any kind TO the state.
despite the fact that h. had rendered blIls clalH-
ing nearly $4,000 for goods alleged 10 nave peeh
sold TO the State To one exchange bill rendered
was attached a pretended jurat setting forth thdt
the claim was correct and that the bill was sworn
and subscribed to before ex-senator Michael /.
Jarrett Of Essex. Reilly said that no never
swore TO any jurat He had been in the. insurance
business for thirteen years He knew ford ana
said ne was a relative Of Mrs. Reilly.
MIR Ford came me said the witness, ana
EXPLAINED that he had purchased the goods In NeM
Ger Of the State he dared not send In bln FOR
the articles in his own name. me witness ~
clared that Ford prevailed upon him TO make our
the bills in his own name. and furnished MN WIN
cles Reilly said he oashcd his checks direct ana
then turned the cash TO a daughter OF i'er-
nard J. Ford at the xSuperintendent reqnest -.
''Did YOU profit by any OF these transactions
was a question put to Reilly BY Senator voorhees,.
Not a cents worth" he replied
1t was shown that Ford bought goods from
70 newark paid for them by his private check
and sold them under Rellly's name to the state at
an enormous advance In prices. The committee
adjourned till next Friday.