New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-01

to. In answer to questions by Mr.. Corbin, he
said he was thirty-six years old. and had read
law with Leon Albeit. He had acted for Eva
Raw Hamilton. and had spoken - the mem
bers of the Court of Pardons for her. Yes, he
had received $1,000 as retaining fee. and had
never seen the woman until she had been par
doned He had acted as counsel for other pris-
oners before the board and had been fairly
successful.
WHAT HE DID FOR HIS $1,000.
In answer to a question Colonel Heppen-
heimer fatty contradicted Colonel Fuller. say
ing e had acted as Mrs. Hamiltons counsel In
Der case in New-York against the Hamilton
estate having frequently consulted with Elihu
Root and his partner in her behalf. He said
further that he threw up her case because he
didn't believe Colonel Fuller was properly con-
Quoting 1t in the woman's interest He never
knew he to be retained In the case until
Colonel Fuller told him. and he never heard
Governor Abbett's name connected with the
81. 900. for he had kept that TO himself He
didn't know who had recommended him TO
Mrs. Hamilton. and didn't care
The Colonel frequently interrupted the severe
examination Of Mr. Corhn to say that he would
like to tell his story but Mr.. Corbir would not
allow any interruption until he had completed
his examination. He had named the sum TO
be paid him. He confessed that he had done
nothing but speak to the members OF the Court
OF Pardons to earn this 81. 900 fee. When Mr..
Corbin had finished his examination. Colonel
Heppenheimer had changed his mind lie had
no statement TO make
RELEASE OF THE BALLOT-BOX SUFFERS.
Disposing OF the Eva Hamilton pardon. Mr..
Corbin told the committee OF the Parole law
passed in 1891. and also OF the release OF the
sixty-three ballot-boX suffers and conspirators
Of Hudson County. by whose villany Leon Ab-
bett was seated in the Executive Chair. which
every honest man long ago concluded properly
should be occupied by General +. Burd Grubo.
Mr.. Corbin showed by Keeper Patterson. OF the
State Prison. that the Parole law was generaI.y
violated He found that since 1891. 209 prisoners.
including murderers. thugs highwaymen purg-
lars and thieves, had bee released Mr.. Patter-
son said the State had no control over those
paroled and that. once released. the prison au-
thorites did not again see them unless the!
were returned. Only seven had been returned,
however.
Albeit forty-four of the Hudson County ballot
box suffers were pardoned at one stroke OF the
pen and that by his order their certificates 81 re,
lease were made out three days before the Board
Of Pardons had been convened. Chancellor Nc
Gill and Judge Clement had voted against the re
lease Of each aid every one OF the paIlo'-ooN
suffers.
Now desire to make personal comment.
said Mr. Corbin. who also helped expose the bal
lot box suffers. 1T does seem To me that the
hardening OF the ballot-bOX suffers was the most
startling political crime in the annals OF history
After infinite trouble and expense. they were re-
leased before they had been In prison. In some IN
stances. two months. In this case the Court OF
Pardons simply made a general Jail delivery OF the
game" The action was unparalleled In the MS
tory OF the State and Is such disbursement
for good government that II DEMANDS an eApiaha-
ton
MORE OF VAN CLEEFS CROOKED WORK.
The session opened this morning by showing
I'D more Of the crookedness of John T. Van Cleef.
John L. Murphy. publisher OF The state Ga
zette." who failed to take the wiiness-stand' al
though subpoenaed. last week was on hand
- l,.A An,I cd nf
the maps charged for by John T. Van Cieef, -
the State Board Of Assessors. Like the DINER
printers who testified last week, he made out p'ils
Of the maps on the request OF somebody con
ers for maps which the State Printer had disal-
lowed were here shown by. Mr. Corbin proving
that the State had after all paid for them
CYRUS F. Ioutrel. OF the Francis Loutrel
Company No. IA Vesey-st.. New-York. was next
called. and testified that 1000 maps were all that
were ever furnished by his hrm TO me state
Board OF Assessors. They were furnished at
about one-quarter OF the price which Colonel
Van Cleef charged the State.
| Colonel Van Cleef was called at this point.
| In an agitated manner he begged for time in
| which 10 make answer to the accusations
against him. AS the committee knew full well
| he said. he had not done right lie desired the
counsel were engaged in writing out a state
ment for him. Nothing would be concealed
| ne said but a written statement would be more
| satisfactory to himself and friends than verbal
| evidence Mr. Corbin said he had no desire To
press Colonel Van Cleef to take the witness
| stand and 30 the committee gave him leave ia
| answer in writing first informing him. now
ever that other charges on different matters
] were TO be presented against him.
/ william A. Barkalow Of the legal depart
| ment OF the Central Railroad OF New-Jcrsey
was then called. He presented batch OF
| vouchers showing that the railroad company
had paid Van Cleef s1,Sj9 AZ for preparing re.
! turns TO writs of certiorari Mr.. Corbin Offered
in evidence the vouchers from the state Con,
| troller's office showing that the State had paid
| Van Clnef 81. 1852 40 for the same returns.
| Taking advantage Of a brief delay In inc
proceedings, Mr. Corbin summed mp the evil
dence concerning the map transactions. Var
Ceef purchased, all told, 10000 maps. PAYING
| about 81 900 for them. He charged the State
for 4l.500 maps. receiving s1l.2l9 for them