New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-27
PROBING BRIBERY CHARGES.
MIR. oUIGG AGAIN TEsTIFIEs BEFORE THE
SENATE COMMITTEE.

FIREMt;N SAID TO HAVE RAISED A FUND 10
SECURE THE AMENDMENT TO THE FIREMEN's
BILL - SENATOR AHEARN's NAME con-
NEcTED WITH MEETING WITH LOU"
PAYN IN THE INTEREST OF THE
AMENDMENT A FIREMAN WHO
HAD NEVER HEARD THAT
PAYN WAS LOBBYIST.
The investigation OF charges against State
Senators Coggeshal, Raines and Robertson, In
connection with the passage Of the bill to increase
the pay Of the New-York iremen was continued
yesterday in this city by the special COMMITTEES
OF the State Senate. consisting Of Senator'S OCon-
nor. Pound. Mullin Cantor and Parker. Congress-
man L. f. Quigg. the Editor OF The Press was
again a witness before the committee. and was
cross-examned at considerable length by George
Raines, the Senator's brother TO the evidenGD
upon which the article published April IS, at.
tacking the three Senator's and Louis F. Payn,
based. Mr.. Qugg admitted that he had paid
a lne Of $500 several years ago when he was pros
ecuted for libel by b. s Downing whom he had
caused TO be driven from the office Of District
Attorney OF Queens County, and Elhu Root de-
clared that Mr.. Quigg had performed public
Downing in THE Flushing Times" Several fire.
men examined as witnesses and gave indi-
rect testimony to show that fund had been
raised by officers OF the department In the at
tempt to secure an amendment 10 the fremen's
bill. The testimony did not implcate either Of the
three Senators who had been named in the article
In The Press" but Senator Ahearn was mem
toned as having been at a meeting with Lou"
Payn to arrange for the amendment to the fire
mems bill.
1t had been understood that the committee
would meet yesterday morning in Part III OF the
Court Of General Sessions, where session was
held last Saturday, b. Judge COwing was hod.
ing court there at 10 a. when the members OF
the committee and the witnesses arrived and It
was announced that the session would be held
In the room on the first floor Of the Criminal
Courts Building. which lately used by the
Grand Jury Of the Court of Oyer and Terminer
That room was soon crowded and then the
committee was informed that the room had been
engaged for another purpose and 1t was neces-
sary for the committee TO move on. Then the
committee and witnesses went to the old court
room in the Tombs formerly occupied by the
Court OF Special Sessions. and there resumed the
investigation. Senators Coggeshal Raines and
Robertson were present to listen 20 the testi-
mony. and Louis +. Payn had prominent seat
near the witness-cha!r ~.
FOREMAN BURNS ON THE STAND.
Foreman John T. Burns. OF the Fire Depart
ment, whose examination was begun on Satur~
day was again called 10 the witness-stand. and
his examination was continued by George
Raines. He first interrogated as to his con-
nection with Louis +. Payn, and in reply to Mr.
Raines said he invited Mr.. Payn's assistance ID
the matter Of the . per cent taxation bill, which
had been opposed by the fremen. and defeated.
&yP9n whose b suggestion did d. ySg 90 to n
Q.-And in connection with the services Of
FOR the purpose OF detrayins the expenses OF that
committee.
In reply u further questions, the witness said
that the amount expended was about sl60. and
that the committee was appointed by the New
York Council of the order of American Firemen,
which at that time was composed Of officers and
fremen in the department. He added that Chief
Bonner suggested his obtaining Payn's assist
ance as the loss Of the tax money would mean
loss of A mll n ana half dollars in ten years.
O-About how much per year is that tax to the
New-Yo funds? A-Well it has been increasing
from year to yer. It IN that year about $4,000
Q-You obtained Mr.. Payn's assistance and IN.
BIZ was defeated? Ale promised 10 do what he
could for US; he started lor Albany next day and
Q-Was the subject e compensation matter OF
convorsa don between you AMI MIR. Pawn? A.-Yes.
Was directed ~ Chief Bonner to ask Mr.; Payn
II he would accept from rs the amount OF his ex-
to Mr. Pawn he tcId me he would not accept penny
from the hremen. and that II ever spoke 70 him
nothing mors to 90 with the biz or me.
Odd Nlr Payn say that what he did was out
q How did You secure your position in the Fire
Department? A-Mr. Payn secured my appointment,
o'@After sSrving some time were you promoted7
AFTER serving as a fireman received promo
Q-Have you had any further promotion since
then? About a year ago l was made foreman
Q~Tc,l us what means were adopted for the con-
t.nu1ton - the fight Win the Two Per Cent BIZ!
Ave found ;hat about eleven months ago there
a score, orsanzation being formed by the fire.
members. IL was then proposed that the officers
should organize for the purpose OF lighting the TWO
rie3 ont.
CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE TWO PER CENT
TAX BILL.
Q-Whsn that org4nlzaton was formed what
The Two Per Cen, BIZ? At was arranged that a
contribution OF 81 per month should be assessed
penses AZ Albany and e:sewhere Thirteen collectors
were appointed TO collect the money
p aced' At was turned over 70 the secretary.
weo n NJ turn passed II over ct 70 the treasurer The
QnHoHw was he money drawn? A.-Accordins
9 6Hy at sny Es m Tai s,, T
drew in the month Of october the OF $500 TO be
used for emergencies. II necessary.
Q-taye You personally, as president OF the
drawn any other money from the
funds? Al have not personally. | might have
done 50 for the purposes OF expenses az Albany or
e.sewhere.
Q--IIow much of this $500 has been expended7
About Sl4 has been expended IN the PAYMENT
az expenses. and the remainder OF the sum have
IN my possession.
Q-This amount. then. represents the extent os
your personal drawings? A.-Yes: OF course
signed al. vouchers
O Have other members Of the legislative commit
tee drawn money from the treasurer? A-Yes
Q-HQw did these expenses accrue? A-From WIS.,
is - Albany mon varous occasions in the matter
OF the Two Per Cent Tax bill
Upon cross-eXamnauon by Elihu Root Burns
said that about 81 900 in all had been collected