The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-15
TANNANY BOSS
TELLS HIS STORY
Testifles Before the Mazet
Committee.
PROVED A HARD WITNESS
Answered Only Such Questions
as He Desired.
ADMITTED HIMSELF TO BE A CAR
Believes That Victorious Party Should
Enjoy All the Offices.
Believes That Victorious Party Should
Enjoy All the Offices.
REFUSED TO ANSWER QUERIES

New York, April 14.-Richard Croker was
on the stand today before the Mazet inves-
tigating committee, and he will be on the
stand again tomorrow.
Judge Joseph F. Daily, whom the demo-
Gratis refused to renominate for justice of
the supreme court last fall, told of his
treatment by Mr.. Croker and Tammany,
while other prominent witnesses gave tes-
timony that went to make the day nota-
BILE one in the investigating into the city's
affairs.
The examination of Richard Croker was a
remarkable one, chiefly by reason of ans
wers which he returned to the questions
propounded to him by Mr. Moss. He was
brief and direct and took advantage of
many opportunities afforded him to retort
in manner that evoked applause many
times from those gathered in the commit
tee ROOM
Mr.. Croker gave events a somewhat
dramatic turn, when, refusing to answer
several questions concerning his private af-
fairs, he held up his right hand and said
impressively: IF you can show me where
I have taken a single dollar from this city
you can cut that arm off,
spoils Should Go to victors.
Mr.. Moss drew from Mr.. Croker the fact
that the Tammany chief believed that all
the offices of the administration of all de.
partments should go to the victorious politi-
cal party.
ITO the victors belongs the spoils," he
added
Continuing, Mr.. Croker said that when
the democrats placed men in office the par
ty expected to have those men do what
the leaders of the party asked them to do
He himself had requested the appointment
of various officials and the distribution of
patronage Not In any case however he
said, had his advice been carried out. He
admitted nevertheless that he had consid-
erable amount of political influence.
matter Mr.. Moss gave attention to was
Mr.. Croker's connection with the auction
eering business conducted by Peter F.
Meyer, by whom the majority of the judi
cial sales were conducted. Mr. Croker
said he had been member of the firm for
some years. and as a true democrat he ex-
pected to be befriended in the way of profit
from the sales.
'Then you are working for your pocket?"
said Mr.. Moss.
"All the time; the same as you are" re-
torted the witness.
ITO the boss belongs the lions share Of
the plunder," sneered Mr.. Moss.
mo plunder," said Mr. Croker
The Boss Receives Applause.
"You can call 1t what you like. You can
call the bill you send to the legislature for
the work you are now doing plunder, if
you please"
There was loud applause at this. Mr..
Croker told the committee that it was GUS
tomary for candidates to offer to contrib
ute to election expenses and stated also
that contributions had been as high as
5000 or $4,000. He said that the contribu-
tions were not compulsory, but were in
many cases voluntary. Perhaps the most
interesting part Of the investigation was
that In which Mr. Croker was questioned
closely as to how he had made his money.
Mr.. Croker refused to tell of his private
affairs, but admitted that he was men,
Der of several companies, one of which is
the Air Power company, with capital
stock of $l0000,0C0 He said: I've got noth-
ing to conceal. If any one comes to me
with a good stock to buy buy 1t, and so
would you. l will not go into any details
of my private business"
Incidentally, Mr.. Croker praised Chief
-Devery and the police department. and was
on the stand when the hearing adjourned
Former Judge Joseph l.. Day. who was
called during the course of the afternoon,
said that he had been notified in the early
part of last year that he did not expect
a denomination. This notification came d.
rect from Mr.. Croker, and II was he said,
the result of his refusing to appoint a
chief clerk of common pleas recommends d
to make a judicial order for the sale in
Broadway, where Petcr T. Meyer is 10
Gated.
Contributed to Tammany.
Former Judge Prior, who followed Judge
DAILY, testified that he, too, had contrib
uted to Tammany on account of his nomi-
nation, he having sent check for $4,000
payable to the order Of Richard Croker.
chairman of the finance committee of Tam
many Hall. This check was returned to
him the following day and he was asked
to make the check payable to the bearer
This he did.
Another interesting figure on the witness
stand was John F. Carroll, Mr. Croker's
chief lieutenant Mr.. Carroll did not prove
a very easy witness and because of his re-
fusal to answer questions Mr. Moss sug-
gested that he might have to have Mr.
Carroll sent to prison for contempt of