The San Francisco call., 1897-10-29

NEW YORK, Oct 28.-"1 cordially ap-
prove Henry Georges declaration that the
penitentiary yawns for Richard Croker"
said John Brooks Leavitt at the Citizens
Union meeting in Longacre Square to-
night. II hope that as soon as we get
District Attorney elected who is not
amenabIe to political pulls that evidence
will be laid before the Grand Jury. AD-
plause.
But We must treat both political ma
chimes impartialIy. 1 will say a word
about Pistt on the same line. AS Mr..
Gardiner uttered the war cry, TO hell
with REFORM 1 follow Georges state
ments about Croker with the cry, TO Jail
with Tom Platt.' Cheers and hisses. 1t
is we'll not to use such words without
having facts to back them, and as soon as
we have IN office q District Attorney OF
the kind / have mentioned l propose to
bring TO his attention a certain bit of
bIackmaIl by Mr. Platt which, as l learn
now, from a quotation from the Penal
Code, will subject him to an Indictment.
The Penal Code says that it is a misde-
meanor to obtain property from another,
with his consent, induced by wrongful
use force or fear
Some years ago Mr.. Platt made de-
mand upon certain life insurance COM
pany of this city for $4,000. The direc-
tors in great fear concluded 10 pay the
money, and directed the treasurer 10
draw the check. But he happened to be
one of those sturdy men who believed
the corporations money ought not to be
paid out except for value received, ana
refused to draw the check. [Cheers.l
sTheleupon," continued Mr.. Leavitt,
measuring out his words slowly. as if each
one weighed a ton, "the directors cabled
the situation to the president, who was in
Europe tit was not the present presidenl)
and he cabled back to the treasurer to
make the payment. Kisses The treas
urer still refused, and thereupon some ar
rangement was made and the money was
sent to Mr.. Platt without going through
the treasurer.
1.-THE company was the New York Life
Insurance Company. The president was
Mr.. Beers and the faithful ana fearless
treasurer was Mr.. Banta, whose firm atti-
tude a few years ago was of untold benefit
to the company. TCheers for Mr.. Banta.
did not learn this from Mr.. Banta. do
not know him. l shall not make public
u Tt
1 am authorized by my informant. to say
that Mr.. Banta will not deny the fore
going statements. [Cheers.] As policy
holder in the New York Life Insurarc ce
Company l propose to see what can be
done to compel the company to sue Mr..
Platt [hissesl to recover the money by
civil suit. 1t seems to me that it is
clear case under the Penal Code of obtain
ing the property of another through
fear" [Applause.
reporter found Mr.. Leavitt at the
City Club after his speech, which was
heard by 5000 people of the Twenty-sev.
enth Assembly District
~ cannot give you the source of my in
form alton to- night" he said, "but will
say this, that have it in writing over
the signature of responsible man. There
have been good many general charges
made here, and another SIS, 600 there. But
they do not give names and dates. To-
night / gave a specific case and the name
of the company which paid the black
mail to the bose. Mr.. Banta is still with
the company as treasurer. He is noble