New-York tribune., 1896-12-04
TACHERON GAINS A POINT
HE IS NOT IDENTIFIED AS THE MAN
WHO TOOK THE MONEY.
TIE STAR WITNESS OF THE PROSECUTION IN THE
LEGISLATIVE BRIBERY CASE PROVES TO BE
HELP TO THE DEFENCE IN
STEAD OF a DAMAGE.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBuNE.l

STEAD OF a DAMA'E
rpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuNEl
Albany. Dec 3-The trial Of Eugene Vachcron.
former Assemblyman from the Hid District or
Queens County accused of accepting Nribe OF
So 900 to bring about the amending or Dill
which forbade the cutting Of ice in the Hudson
River north of the southerly line OF Albany
County promises to be one Of much interest. IL
was nearly 6 o'clock tonight before a jury was
secured.
District-Attorney Burlingame then rapidly de-
veloped his case. but soon got into dihicultles
in consequence Of his chief witness George Best.
the ice dealer who paid $1,000 to some one repre-
senting himself to be an Assemblyman. declar-
ing that he was not positive that the man lie
paid the money to was Nacheron.
The first Witness called was cx-Assemblyman
Charles H. McNaughton. who testified that after
a talk with Best about the lee bill he took him 10
Kccler's restaurant in State-st and introduced
him to Vachcron who a member or the
committee having the bill in charge McNaugh-
ton also said that he introduced Best to several
other people who were with Vacheron
Rost. who was the next witness, testified that
he was an Ice harvester and had engaged coun-
sel to oppose the bill referred to.
"Dd YOU call with McNaughton at Keeler's on
more than OCCASION asked the Distrlct-
Attorney.
"On only one"
"Did Won see the defendant there on that occa-
son?'
II do not know that did" was the reply.
"What, Did YOU not see the man TO whom Nc
Naughton introduced YOU?
Yes -
Did you have a conversation with him.
We're you followed into the harroom by this
man
yes" reluctantly.
Now. Mr. Best. Will have no more fool
ing. il you please" continued the district AZ
torney. "rid YOU have any conversation with
this man.
Yes sir
GIVE it. please"
counsel for Vacheron. 1T has not been shown
vet that Vacheron was present while the conver-
sation was had
..Ve have shown that beyond the shadow OF a
doubt" said the DistrctAttorney. This gen
tleman swears that he had the conversation with
the man that NJ Naughton introduced him to-
"NcNaughton says he introduced him to sew
eral others besides Vacheron." interrupted Mr.
Stanchiicd. ~
and MIR I,urngame was silent
The District Attorney then attempted to show
thai the witness had indicated Nacheron as the
guilty Assemblyman in testimony he had given
in his d;urlinsames) Ia" once IL was "hie
Rest was giving his testimony about TINS mat
tor that the hour OF adjournment arrived.
The theory of the prosecution in the case was
rros.nt.d bv Assistant District Attorney Cook.
,,h, reviewed the introduction OF the Ice bill and
I;s reference To the Committee on Internal
Affairs OF which Assemblyman Nacheron was
menber His story of what happened when
Vacheron and Best had been introduced TO each
other follows:
"Vacheron said: How bad do you want this
bill beaten% Best asked how much 1t would
cost The reply was $1,000. Best said that all
he had was - .OOO. and then gave Vacheron
check for that amount
"IIe met Vacheron later I'm the Capitol. where
the committee was about to go In session. Nach-
cron asked him if he had the rest OF the money
with him and he replied that he had not. but had
arranged To get it. In company with Frank
Harder. cashier of the Castleton National Bank.
the two went To the National Exchange Bank In
this city. where a certified check secured
for he remaining $1,000. The money was taken
To Kecers and placed on table. from which
the defendant took ii"