New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-31
THE ENDORSEMENT

! from Mr.. Greene, and later Mr. croker receVso
1t and cashed II.
The check was placed in evidence yesterday.
and 1t had the Endorsement OF Mr.. Croker OF the
back, showing that he had received the s125. The
| check was drawn by Mr.. Greene to the order CT
| Mr. Croker at time when Greene UNDER tood
J that the boss wanted mis- place The inference
| to be drawn from the testimony Is that Mr..
| Greene was vii ing to pay 3l25 to the TumrnaLy
| boss rather than lose his position in the Dock
| Department. Mr.. Greene paid The money and
| was allowed to keep his office. The transaction
| goes far 10 confirm what has been the belief Ct
| many citizens that It was the rule to make
| office-holders pay tribute to Tammany.
| Chief Engineer Greene was on ,ae witness
stand only few minutes yesterday He said
that in the winter Of 1891 he heard that Richard
Croker had sent orders to the Dock Commission
ers to discharge him and that Commissioner
Phelan was instructed by Mr.. Croker to do that
The Commissioner declined to carry out the order
OF the Tammany boss.
"One day In the fall Of 1892 went to Commits
sioner PhelAn," Mr.. Greene continued. land.
knowing that Mr.. Croker was making things un-
pleasant for Mr.. Phean. said to him, DO you
thirk Mr.. Phean. that II sent these fellows a
check IL would make matters peasanter for
YOU? Mr. Phelan said that he thought that 1t
would. so I drew a check for $125. and made It
out to Richard Croker. Mr. Phelan told me to
give It to Mr.. Cram ana did drew check
also the next year. was not member OF Tam
many Hail."
The check was exhibited 1t was indorsed by
Richard Croker and had been cashed.
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION HE SAYS.
Mr.. McCurdy asked the witness II the check
was not voluntary contribution.
Yes" Mr.. Greene replied.
did you intend any wrong?'
mo. I did not did no wrong"
The check was dated October /, 1892. 1t was
drawn on the Sixth National Bank. Mr.. Greene
smiled as he gave his testimony. He was trne
emphatic in stating that he had done no wrong
in making voluntary contribution to Mr..
Croker. He said that Mr.. Croker had evinced no
disposition 10 return the check.
Ex-Dock Commissioner Cram was the hrst
witness before the Commissioners Of Accounts
Yesterday afternoon and he was waiting In
room No. 1913 Of the Stewart Building. where the
investigation is held when Commissioner Terry
entered with Assistant Corporation Counsel
Clarke Mr. Cram objected to the publication in
the newspape Of testimony that had not been
given He referred to the minutes Of the old
Dock Board made public by the Commissioners.
NOT THE OFFICIAL MINUTES
Mr. Cram said that the minutes read at the
last meeting were not the official minutes He
said that he did not deny that they were steno-
graphic notes. taken by the official stenographer.
but declared that they We're not the official
minutes Those were the revised stenographers
minutes.
"Oh, in what you call the ofhcial minutes you
left out all about Croker and the Tammany lead
ers?" said Commissioner Terry.
1T was not necessary TO put jokes-coarss
iokes-in the new official minutes. Now. l am
perfectly satisfied with my administration"
Then Mr. Cram continued: Il think my ad-
ministration was good one"
Then the minutes were taken UP. and Commits
sioner Terry read some extracts about which he
did not question Mr. Cram before, but which have
been published.
Q-Did you regard Mr.. scanneu as man Of high
moral character YOq made sRpoisstmens;;, on his
not passing on peoples characters.
Q.-Do you regard Mr. Boyle as 2 man =, Of integrity
rupt %h the Esssistures T Alt wa: Republican Leg
islature.
ABOUT scANNELL
Then the witness was asked about the minutes
which recorded him as demanding letter from
scannel before he would appoint men from his
district.
That was chaff for asses" said Mr.. Cram.
Q--Who the asses? A--The asses were the
men To ssSsS Sns %s M man Of tn.
utmost integrity? You appointed men his recon-
mendation. Al think Mr. Croker . man OF In
tegrty
The witness denied that he had ever been en-
ployed as counsel to the contractors who had
dealings with the Department. He said: Il con-
slider your question impertinent. Mr.. Terry. II I
was counsel to contractors who had business with
the Department II would have been scandal"
Mr. Cram said that he had gone abroad several
times while president OF the Board. to study docks.
and on these trips he was not prepared to deny
THE GARRICK SUIT.
Made In finest fabrics, t6 to t& GEORGE a.
BENJAMIN. BROADWAY. COR 2sTH-eT.-lxdv.