Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-22

ASSESSMENTS REDUCED.
New York, April 1.-THE Mazet in
vestigating committee to-day resumed
its session in this city. All sorts of
rumors regarding the probable develop
ments of the day were current. but
there was no definite information re-
garding the plan which Mr.. Moss. coun-
sci for the committee, intended TO
adopt. The members of the committee,
previous to the session, met in MI.
rIoss's Office and held short confer
ence.
immediately after Mr.. Maezet called
the committee to order, Mr.. Hender-
son, who was among the spectators,
arose, and, addressing Mr.. Mazet,
stated that he was lawyer and de-
sired the privilege to cross-eA mine
certain witnesses. He apparently rep
resented Police Captain Price and was
anxious to show that the statements
made against that official by Buttner
at a previous hearing were untrue. Mr..
Mazet said that Mr.. Hendersons re-
quest would be considered later
Henry M. Mcdonald, the nominee Of
the Chicago platform Democracy for
Governor at the last State election, was
the first witness He stated that he
was lawyer and resided at present in
H.. he
ness: You have some knowledge of
the affairs connected with the Flushing
Gas Company"
Mr.. Mcdonald said he had. He
stated that William B. Burnett, di-
rector of that gas company, was close
associate of his and that from him he
had learned various facts.
Mr.. Mcdonald said the gas company
was reorganized in the beginning OF
1898, and that Henry j. Braker, a mem
Der of the Democratic club, and the pre-
sent owner of the Democratic club
building, and another man purchased
the first mortgage bonds of the COM
pany and were made directors. Soon
after this. Mr.. Mcdonald said the
Flushing company endeavored to OBJ
tain a contract from New York City,
under the administration of Mayor Van
Wyck, but were not successful. Con-
tinuing, Mr.. Mcdonald said:
Finally it was arranged by Mr..
hot ho ctn
holders OF the company should turn
bver to Andy Freedman 20 per cent of
The stock of the company to be held for
the benefit of Mr.. Croker and Mr..
Freedman.
Mr.. Hoffman asked if Mr.. Mcdonald
was present when that arrangement
was made. The witness said he was
simply stating what he had been told.
Continuing, Mr. Mcdonald testified:
This stock was contributed by the
different stockholders pro rate, and
was issued to Mr.. Freedman. There
upon Mr.. Freedman was elected mem
Der Of the board of directors. The
agreement on the part Of Mr.. Croker
ard Mr.. Freedman that as soon as pos
sible the company would receive a COLI
tract for at least 500 additional lights,
possibly thousand additional lights.
Now, as to whether Mr. Croker has car
ried out his contract or not / don't
know
Mr.. O'Sullivan, who represents the
city departments, asked Mr.. Mcdonald
regarding his recent arrest "for issuing
bogus checks" Mr.. Mcdonald testified
to his acquittal on that charge.
DIR. O'Sullivan asked: Were you not
found with Chairman Hackett, of the
Republican State committee, in confer
snce making arrangements concerning
The silver wing of the Democratic
party?'
No." said Mr.. Mcdonald
Mr.. Mcdonald emphaticaly denied
any such treachery. What he did do
was this, he said: When we were at
Albany at the close of the last cam
paign having contest over my petit
tion which was criminally and malici-
ously destroyed in the Office CT ex-Sen-
ator Hill, after consultation over the
telephone with that worthy gentleman,
went to Mr.. Burns and solicited him
to contribute money to make our con-
test in the court He could not con-
tribute any money; he said it was a
matter of no concern to the Republican
party
No financial aid had been given the
y Chicago Platform from any Republican