New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-10
"LOUn PAYN ON THE RA CA.
HE coNFEssEs WHAT HIS BUSINESS is.


HE cONFEssEs WHAT HIS BUSINESS Is
PAID BY SEVERAL CORPORATIONS TO LOOK AFTER
THEIR INTERESTS IN ALBANY-LARGE SUMS
PAID TO HIM BY JAY GoULD-DENIALs OF
CRooKEDNEss IN CONNECTION
WITH THE FIREMEN's BILL
THE INVESTIGATION CLOSED
[Dv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.1
Albany. May 9.-Louis F Payn. Platts chisf
agent in Albany amazed the Senators tonight
by his frank avowal that his business In the
Capitol is to lobby upon bills IN the interest OF
half a dozen or more corporations. This testi-
mony he unbushinely gave before the senate
special committee which is now investigating
charges of attempted bribery In the matter OF
the New-York F'rmens Salaries BILL Mr. Payn
had to thank George Raines. the counsel OF SEN
ator Raines. for calling the committees atten-
ton to of his alleged lobbyist TRANSACTIONS
as far back 1868 Payn declared that ne was
grossly wronged in this matter
Under cross-examinaton by Elihu Root ne
acknowledged that he came TO Albany 10 IN
fluence members OF the Legislature either 1aVor-
ably or unfavorabiy upon bills In when seNerai
corporations were interested There were nVe or
six corporations which employed him by the
wear TO look after their interests In Albany. and
he received a regular salary from them. He was
asked to give the names OF these corporations
but he declined to do so. He said they were
his "cl!ents' and he did not care 10 express
any opinion in reply t. Mr.. Roots inquiry as 10
whether he considered that such revelation
would be detrimental to the interests OF these
corporations. Mr. Payn also said he was In
Albany on political business but where his po-
litical business ends and his corporation work
begins was left to the Senator'S Imagination.
The amendments increasing the salaries OF the
officers Of the Fire Department OF New-York was
called 10 his attention by Captain Burns. he said
In the pure benevolence Of his heart he Fayn)
then according 10 his own testimony. went to
Senator John Raines and told him about the
destitute condition 81 the officers Rainess heart
was filled with compassion when he heard this
story and he sat down In the Senate library and
wrote the amendment increasing the salaries of
the officers Raines then had his amendment
put I'm a typewritien form. evidently not dcsir-
ing his handwriting 10 be recognized and his
benevolence made known. and Payn induced
Senator Robertson 10 incorporate II In the FIRE
mems Salary bill
Pawn denied .vei talking 20 Roberts n about
taking OF he amendment. He slc -incaly dei IL
ever talking with Senator about money beng
raised for the Firemen's bll or any other oil! III
his life lie said: Captain Burns Is very
brave man. but ! do not hecv" ne would care
20 suggest money 70 me In reference 10 this BILL
He denied ever telling Quge that 1t would be
expensive 10 himself t. take of the amendment
When ne met Quigg In Albany the latter was IN
the Senate chamber Mr.. Payn testified:
"ouigg sat down by me- and said Now the
nre,acn's bill is all right and VIII 20 through
and | wish you would take hold and help me
ms a.. Estate Exchange bill. lie SAID
he was personally Interested in II. Many 81
those people lived In his district. he said. and
they gave him last fail for his election a large
amount OF money. and he wanted TO do this for
them ,old him | looked on the Real Estate
bill as highway robbery. and that he ought not
10 ask any Republican Legislature 10 pass any
such legislation"
Mr.. Raincs turned to the old Erie Railroad
story Of 1865. when. N was said. Payn got slO.VV
TO further the interests OF an Erie bill. Mr
Payn said about that time he became inter
csted In legislation To cgalize S0.0oo0oo OF Erie
bonds. He was employed To act as Mr. Gould's
adviser at Albany and introduce HIM To men
who would be able 10 help Mr.. Gould. Daniel
Drew and Cornelius Vanderbilt were opposing
the legislation. but II got just seventeen votes
In the Senate and WAS passed. Arerward the
matter was investigated. The report put In evil
acncc by Mr.. Root was put in.
II read IL AT the time" said Mr.. Payn. 1T was
n good while ago but have pretty good reco-
lection"
Witness said Of the testimony ot John Van Val
kenburg a. that investigation that Van Nalkcn-
made afIldNit inA' HNdl n" t'Stlli'l 10
before the committee regarding him cMr. Payn)
was not true This was laid before the commit
tee By payn's attorney The committee chiir-
man. Matthew Hale. made statement In witt
ing Mr.. Payn continued;
THAT paper set forth that abundant evidence
had been produced before Mr Hale 10 Justify him
IN eliminating Van Nalkenburg's testimony. with
this out. there was nothing 10 lHcrlHlhatc 'h'
and was cxoncratcd'
Witness said his legislative work was the
only business he had been In for some years
Have you received much az $4,000 from
any single employer FOR this business" was
asked.
you did In the Erie Railroad case. sug-
gcsted Mr.. Root.
"Oh. yes. from Hr. Could" was the reply.
Mr. Payn stated that. after the old invcsu-
cation was over IN the sixties. and he had gone
t. Ncw-York. Mr.. Gould came 10 him ana
apologizcd and gave him check for Sloooo
more From that time Mr. Gould was MS par,
ticular friend. and on several occasions heiped
him make large sums OF money. purlns t,e
time Mr. Platt and Mr.. Conkling were en-
dcavoring to be returned 10 the senate. MT
Could advised him 10 buy Western Union GER
tincates and he made $4,000 In a few weeks. q,
At Il:25 O'Clock Senator OConnor announcer
that the hearing closed.
Mr. Ranes then summed up. lie hn;snei az
1:25 a M and the committee adjourned.
Mr. Pawn has made the Senate library the seat
Of his operations during the last winter some
Senator's think. after his testimony or tp-hlEh'.
that an over-suspcious world Will demand ms
exclusion from this room Mr.. Payns useiul-
ness as political agent Of Mr. Platt ais, mas
beer considerably impaired by his testimony.
Mr. Root asked the committee tonight whether
Payn would be reported 10 the senate fcr con
tempt In refusing to answer questions as 10
who his "clents" were. but the matter WAS not
decided.
READING ~ NEW HANDS