New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-15
MR.. QUIGG TAKES THE STAND
CoNFEsSEs HE WROTE THE PRESS" AR
TICLE AND TELLS WHAT HE HEARD
SAYS THE ALLEGED Libel. ON SENATOR RAINEs
WAS INSPIRED BY SENSE OF PUBLIC
pr-rY-oNB OF HIS ANSWERS AGI-
TATEs THE SENATOR.

TATEs THE SENATOR.
The hearing OF testimony for the defence In the
$50 900 suit for libel Instituted by Senator John
Reines OF Canandalgua against The Nrw-York
Press" Company was begun yesterday morning IN
the Supreme Court before Justice MacLean ana
jury. Congressman Lemuel E,y Quieg, the CO.
defendant the first witness on the stani. In
reply 10 Mr.. Nlcoll Mr.. Qulgg said he was nc
qualnted with Captain Graham. OF the Fire De-
partment and proceeded testify that he re
ceived a letter from Captain Graham. to which he
replied. Asked as TO how ne came to meet cap
tain Graham who az the time was president OF
the Firemen's Association. Mr. QuiRg said he had
met him through John y. Parsons who was then
president Of the New-York Letter Carriers As
sociatlon. The meeting. far as he could re-
call was held either at the Sherman Square Ho-
tel or In his home at No. 90 West Seventieth-st
Mr. Parsons wished him 10 support certain iesls-
lation then pending in Congress OF interest 10 the
Letter Carriers Association. and Graham ASKED
him TO do the same on behalf OF the Network
hremen. Mr. Quigg continued that he informed
Mr. Parsons that he dId no, how no cou'd
support the Letter Carriers bill 'nasmuch AZ an
other bill favorable TO the rank and He OF the
latter carriers had prior rights on the Congress
sional calendar.
What else II anything did you say TO Parsons
on that occasion?' Mr.. Qulgg was asked
u told him very plainly that inasmuch as the
nremen were divided in the matter OF legislation
while favorable to both sides could not favor any
measure other than the one which az the U'r
had prior rights" the answer 'fhh"H 7"''
that the letter carriers and the hremen had sup
ported me In the campaign - lS'' ana 'o'" nun
that could not help me 70 determine my 'o"'S
with respect to legislative matters then pending
All o, the testimony given by Captain Graham 10
the effect that he had asked about the suppos''
corruption fund was absolutely faiS" ana u,'
founded the Congressman testified. iie went OF ~
frr.a UT
tor Raines In the winter OF 1885 with reference 10
the Judicial Sales bill
What was Il you said 20 Mr. Raines on the STU
ject?" asked Mr.. Nicol
Il told him that IN my opinion. II would be n
benefit TO have the place Of saes changed from
No III Broadway. which Was a private corpora
ton. under the management Of Peter + Meyer 10
the Real Estate Exchange where bidding was car
RED on brskly ana In the presence OF I'll con-
cerned." answered the witness
AN INTERVIEW WITH MR.. PAYN
ibid YOU speak to any one about the Pavey h'lT'
asked Mr. Nicol
II spoke TO Speaker Fish about H." replied the
witness lie was no; allowed 20 repeat me con
versation lie went on 20 say that he knew ahso'
m,eIy nothing OF the plan 70 amend the b" IN
committee by having the officers amendment
fastened to It until he read OF the amendment In
tho newspapers. Asked II be saw MI. lhyh con-
ccrning g. witness answered In the hnlrIn''l'e'
adding that Mr Payn had seen him IN THIS cry
and he (Mr. Quigg) asked Mr.. Payn FOR an exp ana
ton.
How long have you known Mr. Payn7 was the
question.
AT that time $3.50 had known him FOR two or
three years. About that long replied the wilt
ness.
Did you know what his occupation wasT'
This question brought George Ranes. counsel FOR
the prosecution to his feet with objection which
was overruei and the witness answered Yes
What was his occupation
During the argument Mr. Rainess objection
the witness said he knew that Louis = Payn was
q LOBBYIST Despite regular tide OF objections
raised by Nj Ralnes he proceeded TO say that al
meeting in Albany he had with Mr. Payn the lat
ter said that II the officers amendment to Doe
withdrawn II would result IN great sacrifice to
him (Mr. Payn).
What did Payn say TO you on the subject OF the
withdrawal abandonment Of the amendment
asked Mr. Nicoll
He said I suppose you want It done. notwlth-
standing the fact that It Is going to be expensive
70 me
What else did he say
He said he would have 70 sec Senator Robertson.
too, about H."
In reply 10 further question. witness said that
before he left Albany that occasion ne was
satisfied that the amendment part OF the Firemen's
Salaries bill had been dropped.
Did Mayor Strong favor the Firemen's Salaries
bill?" was asked.
Mr. Raines objected to this question on tho
ground OF It's immateriality. but Justice MacI.ean
overruled the objection. and tho witness replied:
He approved It
ALLEGED LIBEL FROM QUIGG's PEN
odd you write this article?" queried Mr. Nicon
~ he held aoft a copy OF The Press" containing
the article which the $4,000 damage suit is based
81 did sir" promptly replied the witness
MI QuEg went into details OF conversations had
IA
ceeded Graham in the presidency Of the Flrcmcn's
Association He testified that Clifford. on the occa-
sion OF the first interview In March 1885, had COM
planned Of the action Of the officers in approaching
the men for the purpose Of raising n fund with
winch 10 help pass the Flremen's Salaries bin In ia
amended form. lie Instructed clifford 10 find out
all the facts in the matter and consult VITA Mr.
"On the occasion Of the second interview with
clifford in my house. proceeded the witness eight
ten or a dozen hremcn were present. clifford said
mat he had been doing fire duty at Days Theatre
There he was met by an officer who told him that
he wanted by one OF the oihcers Of the Officers
Association with reference to the Salaries bill
which he described being lockel-up' in commit,
was put up and that there Senators whose
votes were necessary APO Who would have to have
ant was in the hands OF Louis r. Payn and each
oiiicer and fireman would have 10 put up stipu-
In reply to Mr.. Nicon Mr.. Qulgg said that IT was
his best recollection that the officer whom Clifford
was directed TO SEQ was President John j. Burns OF
the Offcers Association ana at the time captain OF
Hook and Ladder No. 1. In Chambers-st
WAS Fireman Rothenhauslcr present at thar In
ter1cw?" asked Mr.. Nlco.
He was"
What II anything did Rothenhausler say7r
~ sqo,msS M o aYnf yf m dsnG Ely That he
Association. that the men 10 he fixed were sena-
tors Ranes. Coggeshall and Robertson" replied Mr.
Ouigg He added that he had committed 10 writ
ng al the time Of their occurrence the interviews
referred to. and copies OF the memoranda he still
held
PROSECUTIONS OBJECTIONS FUTILE
During the further examina tion-ln-chlef Of the
witness Mr. Raines offered one objection after
another until Mr.. Nicoll protested. remarkng that
II appeared TO him that Mr. Rainess chief bust
ness was 10 prevent the witness from answering
Justice MacLean interposed to the extent OF asking
that Mr.. Nicoll continue The next instant the