New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-19
EDWARD SCANNELL ARRESTED.
COMMISSIONERS BROTHER HELD ON
CHARGE OF OBTAINING $3.50 TO Sc
CURE A PLACE IN THE
FIRE DEPARTMENT.

CHARGE OF OBTAINING $3.50 TO Sc
CURE A PLACE IN THE
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Edward scannen. who says he is a brother OF
Fire Commissioner John j. Scannel. was pfls-
oner ins the Centre Street Police Court YESTERDAY
charged with having accepted s2O from rr"nA
MCGOWAN. a plumber, living at NO. l'4h oeconu-
ave- for which he is alleged to have PROMISED 10
get a place for him in the Fire Department. Mag
istrate Cornell was not satisfied that the complaint
as drawn against the prisoner, was OF such d
character that an Indictment would follow. OWING
to the requirements Of the Penal Code. and this
morning will decide whether 1t will be changed 10
one alleging the money to have been secured by
trick and device" In default of 5000 pail ScdhheN
was sent to the Tombs for the night.
According to the complaint as drawn McGowan
first met ScanneI In August OF last year at the
house of his father-in-law. Michael Craven, NO.
225 East Seventy-fourth-st.. where John Beyers Oh
No. 246 East Twenty hfth-st introduced MIN as
brother Of the Fire Commissioner Mr.. McIo"ah
stated that he was DESTROYS of securing an APP
pointment TO the Fire Department. and alleges
that scanneIl told him that It could not be accom-
nIshed without the consent Of his brother George.
who had the appontive power. but that sZoo III
advance would be necessary to get the desired APP
pointment
Bv appointment several days later. he met Scan
nell at the County Courthouse. where he PAID
companied by his father-in-law, Mr.. craven ne
again went to the Courthouse to meet MI Scan
nell There he was introduced to n man as
George" who he presumed. and swears he was
led to believe, George Scannel' oroher vi
the prisoner and Commissioner In the presence
Of .he father-in-law MCGOWAN. the complaint says
the matter was again talked Edward Scan
nell then took him to one side. the complaint
states and told him that there must no witnesses
N the having Of the money. and that his father
in-law therefore, must not accompany them INTO
the room when the remainder Of the $50 was PAID
Telling Mr. Craven TO walt outside, McGowan says
he entered in the County Courthouse anu IN
there paid Edward Scannel and George the re-
naming $50. .s IA .hs,
learning that George Scannell the other brother
of the Fire Commissioner was in some way corr
merely TO ask what was delaying the appointment.
When he inquired in the suTogate's office Ior
came out The complainant asked II he had a
brother Edward and being answered In the az
frmative explained the recent transaction Ac-
complainant that II Edward ScanheIi nHu pe ~,
guilty of such act, IT was his duty 10 nave MN
Edward scannell the prisoner. after his arraign,
ment said that while ne nad met oe any business
transaction between them. nor had he ever prom
ised to secure appointment for him ,,,
The counsel for the prisoner then called Magls-
trae Conells attention 70 the fact 9at under tS
bribe MCGOWAN. the complainant. made hlmseil
an accomplice, and that it was necessary f0r eacn
10 be fully corroborated Under such complaint
and with such slight corroboraton, no Grand Jury
would indict Magistrate Cornell said he fully un-
derstood all that and that he would hold the prs-
oner on the present complaint for the night; and
in the morning decide whether a new and probably
different complaint would be necessary.
Fire Commissioner John j. Scannel when seen
at his home Forty-seventh-st. and Broadway and
told Of the arrest and the character Of the com
plant. turned abruptly away remarking: I have
nothing to say" He declined to answer further