The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-05-17

NEW YORK, May 16.-Mayor Robert
A Van Wyck was on the witness stand
to-day before the Mazet Investigation
Committee. There was not much Of
note about the Mayors testimony, and
only on one occasion did he find reason
to make an. outbreak. This was when
he was questioned by Counsel Moss OF
the committee regarding the rumored
connection of "a man named Van Wyck
with number of poolrooms. The
Mayor became very angry at this, and
declared that Mr.. Moss had asked the
question for the purpose of insinuation.
He demanded that if more evidence
was obtained to prove any such connec-
ton it should be produced before the
committee. He denied most emphatic
ally that he had any connection with
any poolrooms whatsoever, or any other
illegal business. Mayor Van Wyck as
serted emphatically also that he had
never consulted with anyone regarding
the appointments he had made.
TESTIMONY OF YESTERDAYS
HEARING.
NEW YORK, May 16.-The Mazet
Investigating Committee resumed its
session to-day after a prolonged recess
A fair sized crowd was on hand early,
among those present being Mayor Van
Wyck, who. with the heads of various
city departments, had been summoned
to appear to-day. 1t was announced
that the committee will sit daily Tues
days, Wednesdays Thursdays and Fri
days until its work is concluded, but
this program will be interfered with by
the extra session of the Legislature,
which begins on Monday next.
Mayor Robert A. Van Wyck was in
the witness chair before the Assembly
Committee appointed to investigate
the workings of the municipal depart
ments. He was questioned as to
whether he consulted with Richard
Croker regarding the conduct of the
city government, and fatty denied that
he did so. Neither, said Mr.. Van Wyck,
had he consulted with Mr. Croker re-
garding the removal of the city offices
from the New York Insurance build
ing to the New Syndicate building on
Park Row He was very well satisfied
with the efficiency shown in the various
city Offices
Mr. Van Wyck also said that he had
wood in December, 1897. ON the subject
of the selection of heads of depart
ments, but he had a running conversa-
ton on that subject with John F. Car
roll, who is close to Mr.. Croker in polit-
ical matters,
Reverting to the subject Of the quar-
tiers provided for the department Off
Gals, Counsel Moss asked the Mayor if
H., \ L. =,
which the Health Department had been
assigned was not fire-proof.
There is not a fre-proof building in
the city, replied the Mayor.
Mr.. Van Wyck denied that he had
been elected Mayor by Tammany; he
said he had been chosen by the people
OF Greater New York.
who is there in the organization who
is sponsor for your organization that
has more power than Mr. Croker?"
asked Mr.. Moss.
Nobody has more power than l
have replied the Mayor.
Have you done a single thing con-
trary to the wishes of Mr.. Croker %
demanded the lawyer
i don't know said the Mayor.
You have never been called to ac-
count?''
Nobody dare call me to account. -
responded the Mayor, warmly Il cam
not be called to account except tie
court shall organize some judicial tri-
bunal. No individual can call me to
account"
IL answer to the question if it was
contrary to his notion of political ethics
that there should be a leader of tho
party whose voice should have great
influence and weight with the chief ex-
ecutive the Mayor said. tartly:
You'd better call Senator Platt and
ask him that question. He knows
more about leadership than I do
The Mayor declined to answer in this
case
The Mayor said he had dismissed
Chief McCullagh because he thought
he was not fit man for the head of the
police force. Police Commissioners
Philips and Hamilton We're also re-
moved because he believed they were
unfit. Philips had been indicted and
the Mayor wrote to him that he must
seek a speedy trial or be removed. The
latter happened Hamilton had told the
Mayor that he would not consent to
the transfer of any member of the pub
lie force without previously consulting
with Senator Platt Il told him. tes-
titled the Mayor, that the police de-
partment could not be run from Wash
ington.''
The Mayor said he knew James A.
Mahoney.
Have you ever heard that your
friend Mahoney is the chief of the
greatest poolroom syndicate in this
city," asked Mr.. Moss.
II knew he made books ON the race
tracks replied the Mayor.
Did you know he was running rooms
and receiving bets in those rooms in
New York City,"
NO
The Mayor had never heard that Mr..
Mahoney. Mr.. Carroll and Mr.. Sexton
were jointly interested in poolrooms
Have you ever heard" sneered Mr..
Moss, that gentleman named Van
WICK was interested in them ?"
For the first time the Mayor was
aroused. THAT is absolutely false he
shouted.
Ex-chief of Police John McCullagh