New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-15

income, and It does appear that you have been
in control OF a political organization over which
you have a large control as you have to-day.
NOW A WEALTHY MAN.
1T Is now very apparent that you are Q
wealthy man. because you able to indulge
In those things in public which only wealthy
people can indulge In. And the people are In.
terested In knowing how you got that money.
and propose in al gentlemanly way as possi-
BILE, but in as firm a way as may have TO. to
ask those questions as TO where you got IT,"
Mr.. Moss did not get the information he
sought. but he is by no means through with
the witness yet. Just as the adjournment for
the day was taken Mr.. Moss handed the Tam
many dictator another subpoena for his at
tendance again this morning. and II is under.
stood that the counsel will to-day probe more
deeply still into the extent Of Mr. Crokers big
financial reserve and the means by which It was
accumulated.
The knowledge that Mr.. Croker had been sub
pqnaed to present himself for examination yes
terday served to attract q big crowd Of Tam
many henchmen. and curious people generally.
to the Board OF Trade rooms at No. 2O3 Broad
way, where the committee. for want OF better
accommodations, obliged to renew Its sit.
tings yesterday. Although every effort was
made to keep out all who could not show that
they had business at the inquiry, the room was
quickly packed. Mr.. Croker, accompanied oy
DIR. O'Sullivan appeared few minutes after
10 o'clock. but 1t was half an hour later before
the members Of the committee were In their
places. In the mean time he sat chatting with
Assemblyman Hoffman. the Tammany repre-
sentative on the committee. and Justice Leven-
trtt. who had also been subp9naed Mr.
Croker who was dressed in a black frock coat
and dark striped trousers. showed no sign or
having faithfully sat out the ten-dollar dinner
on the previous night Without any prelimi-
naries he was called upon to take the stand.
but before he sworn Justice Leventritt
asked that he might be called at once to give his
testimony, that he might return TO his court,
where several cases were waiting for trial in-
stead OF accommodating him, however tho
chairman. on the suggestion OF Mr. MOSS e1-
cused him until further notice. Mr.. Croker sat
in the witness chair in q characteristic attitude.
with his hands folded one over another. his legs
crossed. and his head inclined slightly to one
side Mr. Moss began tie attack with the ut
most anability OF tone and manner The eoun'
sci. first Of all, wanted to know just what Mr..
Croker's exact position was In Tammany Hall.
and when ne suggested that he was the leader
OF that organization, Mr.. Croker showed no IN
c,,nation to raise an issue on the point IN
monosyliabic replies he hazarded the opinion
that he might be looked upon az leader out
when Mr. Moss endeavored to pin him down 70
a definite description of his position. MT croker
got angry and exclaimed, 1T Is not necessary
70 bring all that In; everybody knows that. Hs
no use playing to the galleries; give US sooo
straight talk and let's get II over'' wnerea.
some OF the Tammanyites at the back OF the nal
began to applaud
HOW CANDIDATES ARE CHOSEN.
p-ooood,r. to INQUIRE into some of the meth.
,as that obtain In Tammany Hall. Mr.. Moss
e,,ci,ed the information that candidates were
ohoson more for their prospective loyalty 10
rammanv and their ability to sustain the
s.-.ryth NJ the organization rather than TOT
anv special aptitude for the office they were 10
no appointed to- or for mental attainments aho
,rreproachable character. The witness ola hos
individually select the candidates. he just saVs
advice like any ordinary citizen wouid on th'
qualifications Of various men, but subsequently
he agreed with Mr.. Moss that there was no ono
in New-York just at present whose aoVice IN
the matter of appointments received as muon
heed as his The Mayor, for instance, "ouio
no, think OF filling an office without nrst ask
ing the witness's approval Of the selection TOT
the vacancy.
CANDIDATES ASSESSED.
Candidates for Office he told Mr.. Moss, were
required TO pay assessment. out ne oenieo
Tho, nc much as $4,000 or $4,000 was required
for a judicial nomination.
r, uos at this stage in his examination tnat
ur Croker informed the committee tnat ia"'
many ,udges were expected to give whste'er
patronage they had at their disposal 70 organ
,vat,on men. and II the Judge showed any In.
ouration 10 dlsobey this rule he was resaroeo
os losing his standing in the party. or III othe'
words ne might never hope for renorninatIon'
Nv a series Of ceverly worded questiohs mr'
Nos cot the witness to admit tacitly that oe-
ousa ~ his influence In politics. since ne Joiheo
po,er r Meyer in the real estate business tne
g., ..cs,ved the greater part Of the lucrative
,,,a,o,o, sales ordered by the courts. Mr.. croker
a.. no, hesitate to say that as his firm was
,,,ocratic concern. II was entitled TO pret-
o.onc. IN patronage while he saw nothing OUT
., Tho way in a political Organization insistins
unon Judges exercising such preferences IN ths
bestowal OF emouments.
Mr.. PECKHAM CALLED.
somewhat similar idea led TO the downfan
NJ Tweed. as Mr. Moss proved by the testmony
q, Wheeler H. Peckham. The examination OF
Mr. Croker at this point was Temporarily sus-
-, :, order that Mr. Peckham, who was
ac,,ve,v interested In the overthrow OF tne
ruaed ring. might testify. Mr.. Moss has IRE
orently called up references to Tweed In asso-
o,o,,on with Mr. Croker's name. but never 30
directly as yesterday. Stating some OF tns
o,s.s that led 10 the corruption that exis'se
under the Tweed regime. Mr.. Peckham saia mo
or portunties came to the men VINO eonuo ss
~ " po, a',,',s a,a,rs at that time and they made
the most of those opportunities for 'ne'. o~"
cain, They had great power and were no, con.
trol,sd by any moral principle. Mr.. fecA"."
agreed with Mr Moss that they looked upon 'ns
patronage which came to them snrousn 'ns''
nos,tions as legitimate matters for tnem 70 u's
for their own benefit.
Mr. Peckham testified also that 'he 'on1s
=, n,h,,c works at that time gave the city