New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-11
rHE RAINES LIBEL SUIT.
.,opu TESTIMONY ABOUT THE FIRE
MEMS OFFICERS gALARIES
AMENDMENT.
v.roR GEORGE W. ROBERTSON AND SEW
rRAL OFFICERS OF THE FIRE DEPART
MENr ON THE STAND.


.,.nsss OF the day. denied having any interest in
a., canscity as chairman Of the Committee on Leg
.,o,,on appointed by the officers Association of
Naw.York Firemen IN the passage OF the Firemen S
salaries bill. He admitted. however. that he was
,rtarested In the per cent tax bill matter. hav-
,,e for it's purpose the extension of time In which
,s Exempt Association Of Firemen Of the City of
ysw-York could enjoy the collection OF moneys
ocr,,ng from the tax mentioned. Asked by Mr..
N,coIl for the defence. II nc recalled having met
ou,s r Payn In this city In January or February.
,so5 the witness answered In the negative, but In
,.nlv 10 further inquiry pursued In the same line
.am,,ted having had two casual meetings with Mr..
pawn Both Of these witness recalled. took place
:, Albany IN March. 1895. but the subject Of the
conversation had escaped his recollection.
.1,id you know Denis Leary?" Mr.. Nico asked
mot until saw him testifying before the Senate
Investigating Committee. replied Captain Freel
"Were YOU present at a meeting Of the Officers
association held in Clarendon Hall on March T..
1857
YES sir: was
were Captain Shaw. Chief Croker and Chief
BOuner present at that meeting?"
Chief Bonner not; about the others I am
not certain"
Are you acquainted with the handwriting of
Captain Shaw
Il believe am"
will you please look that and tell the Court
and Jury II this letter Is In the handwriting of
handed the witness a letter said to be in Captain
shaw's handwriting.
The witness identified the letter bens In the
handwriting Of Captain Shaw. Against the objec-
ton OF Mr. Raines II was marked Exhibit No. g.
for identification. 1t read as follows:
Fire Department J HeSdQ Ya ,,sTc,
New-York. March s. 1893.
We We're unable to influence the officers 10 change
their programme last night, and II VIII 60 as
We "''s ~ WILLIAM SHAW.
The witness denied that the Firemen's Salaries
bin formed any part Of the discussion at the meet
ne Of the officers held in Clarendon Hall.
Captain John ]. Burns. who president OF
the Officers Association. next called. Asked
II he knew Louis F. Payn. witness said he was
brought up in the same town with Mr.. Payn. and
had known him intimately and well since his boy
hood.
Did Mr. Pawn secure for you your appointment
IN the New-York Fire Department" Mr.. Ranes
asked
This question brought Mr.. Nicol TO his feet in
an instant with objection. which the Court sus-
tanned.
when were you appointed member Of the Fire
Department.
August II. 1883"
And who got you your appointment"
Mr. Nicoll objected. ard again sustained by
Justice MacLean.
Mr. Ranes. in dropping that line OF inquiry. said
II was his purpose 10 lay bare the fact that the
witness owed his appointment and promotion In the
Fire Department 10 Louis T. Payn.
SAW PAYN OFTEN
Witness further testified that during the years
that he was IN command OF Hook and Ladde
No. l. at No Is Chambers-st.. Mr.. Pawn called to
see him frequently at that place
did MI Payn tell you al any time that II you
attempted TO offer him any remuneration for ser
vices rendered toward the besterment. financially.
OF the New-York fremen he would never again
Don't answer that. witness:" Numbered Mr..
Nicon. The Court acauiesced. and the witness
excused from answering.
Asked II he had known that money raised
BY the Officers Association having for its pur-
pose the aiding of the passage Of the Firemen s
Salaries bill. the witness replied in the negative.
The only money raised by the association. he
testified was tax OF 81 a month which. accord
ing 10 the constitution. was levied on the members
TO meet Incidental expenses. Including hall rent.
stationery and postage
Albany president OF the Officers association FOR
tire purpose OF influencing legislation in the matter
OF the officers amendment. which had been tackled
into the Firemen's Salaries bill
Al this point there occurred lively tilt between
counsel, Mr. Nicoll onjectng to the line Of in.erro
cation that was being pursued by George Raines.
Justice MacIean gave Mr. Nicoll the better part in
tons advanced by Mr. Rsines had been answered by
the witness and those who preceded him in the wit
Iess-stand.
Asked to the extent of his interest In the pas
sage In the Senate Of the officers amendment. Cap
tain Burns said he had no special interest in the
matter except that Mr.. Payn had assured him Of
his (Mr. Payn's) interest in the measure then pend
ing assuring him that he Payn) would do all he
could 10 help carry II through and have II placed
on the statutes.
And you had no special interest in measure
calculated to increase your salary?"
Not very much"
did you know 20 what extent your salary would
BE- increased because of the passage OF the officers
Amendment"
From s2lcO to $500
And that was in your opinion. a matter Of very
small moment 70 your
We'll. don't know" responded the witness. eva
sivey. which reply succeeded with laughter. n
which the Court and jury Joined. In reply 70 an
other question Captain Burns denied having talked
with any Of the officers OF the association respect
ing the question OF increase I'm salaries. with the
septon Of his lieutenant, who is now Foreman Peter
BONNER SENT HIM. HE SAYS.
The reason witness testified that he went TO see
Payn with reference to the per cent tax matter
was that te so Instructed by his superior off,
Ger. Chief Bonner. The witness. being pressed
ADMITTED having had haf-hours interview with
ny Payn in the Grand Union Hotel in this city in
February 1885, with reference TO the tax referred to-
Had you Payn frequently at Albany" urged
Mr.. Nicoli
Il had"
DIG you know his business at Albanyr'
Il did not"
DID you know IN what kind OF business he was
tngaged?"
knew he was in the paper manufacturing busi-
"ess al Chatham. ". Y"
A>f~ lv NAM
supposed he was there In tho interest Of legis-
, ."n' out DID not know what individuals or cor
'asnnuischs he represented"
hv,s, 80 yel not know that he notorious lob
M ~ Was chargecT'
OFT rSSssnes objected and the question was ruled
end his place n 'e re- xas taken BY
Asso "s Saares II. Stone secretary OF the Ofrcers
"1vs.yi...atlon now defunct
.nm.ttness said he was nresent at nearly all Of tho