The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-05-17
VAN WICK EXAMINED.
New York's Mayor Before the Ma
yet Investigating Committee.
he REBUKEs AN INsINUATI0N.

When Asked by Counsel Moss II HI
Knew of "a Gentleman Named Var
| wyck" Being Interested in Poo
Rooms He Demanded an Inquiry.
New York, May 17.-Mayor Robert
A. Van Wyck was on the witness, stand
yesterday before the Mazet investiga.
ting committee. Mayor Van Wych
gave 1t as his opinion that the conduct
of affairs under the new charter has
been remarkably satisfactory, but re.
fused to express any opinion regard
Ing changes in the city officers that
might tend to improve the administra-
ton Of the city's affairs.
There was not much of note about
the mayors testimony, and only on
one occasion did he find reason to
make an outbreak. Counsel Moss
asked him If he knew James A. Ma
honey, and the mayor said he had
had business dealings with Mahoney in
Texas ten or twelve years ago. He
knew that Mahoney made books on
the race tracks, but did not know that
New York city. The mayor had never
heard that Mr.. Mahoney, Mr.. Carroll
and Mr. Sexton were Jointly interested
in pool rooms.
Have you never heard" sneered
Mr.. Moss, that gentleman named
Van Wyck was interested in them"
For the first time the mayor Was
aroused.
THAT is absolutely false" he shout
ed. He wanted to know who told Mr..
Moss anything Of the kind.
These things are not easy to prove
retorted the counsel.
Il never had any connection with
any illegal calling anywhere in the
world" shouted the mayor You
knew that | was not interested in pool
rooms when you asked the question
You knew that, and you wanted 10
bring 1t out for the purpose of creating
the impression that | was. ! demand
that you bring out the evidence here
and show that l am connected with
pool rooms anywhere in the world or
with anything else of an illegal char
acter and think the chairman Of this
committee ought to enforce that re-
quest"
Mr.. Moss told the mayor to wait a
day or two with the committee, and
he would learn something that he evil
IDENTIFY knew nothing about. The
mayor insisted that Mr. Moss be made
to call witness to prove the insinua-
ton. Mr., Hoffman backed up the re-
quest. "lf we are here to sully honest
mems regulations" said the Demo-
cratic member Of the committee, II
want to go on record as saying that II
is absolutely unfair" There was ap-
plause at this, and Mr.. Mazet ordered
the sergeant-at- to clear the room
if there was another demonstration.
Mr.. Mazet said that the mayor him.
self had accused Hamilton upon what
he admitted was only rumor Mr..
Mazet maintained that the mayors
strenuous denial was all that was re.
CURED. Mr.. Hoffman again insisted
that the matter be at once investi-
gated. Mazet ended the matter by
saying that Mr.. Moss had distinctly
disavowed any insinuation, and Mr..
Moss interjected the remark that he
thought he had done the mayor SER
vice. The mayor said that If he knew
OF the existence of gambling houses he
would order them closed, and that IL
they were not closed he would come
pretty near removing somebody"
Mayor Van Wyck asserted emphati-
cally also that lie had never consulted
with any one regarding the appoint
ments he had made, and that he him
self was the most powerful factor in
the city administration, that he was
guided absolutely by his own affairs
and not by those of Mr.. Croker nor
any one else. The mayor said that he
had dismissed Chief of Police McCul-
lagh because he was not lit man for
the position, and that he had removed
Police Commissioners Philips and
Hamilton because they were unfit. The
mayor said: Hamilton blackmailel
the casino"
Police Commissioner Sexton, in his
statement before the committee, said
with reference to the appointment of
Chief of Police Deverey, Il wanted to
make Devorey chief Deverey was my
friend, and wanted to make him chief
OF police, and | retired McCulagh."
President York explained the retire
ment of McCullagh by saying that IL
was case of politics" and a desire
to have harmony in the police depart
ment He said, however. that McCul-
lagh had been a good officer. Both
police commissioners acknowledged
that they had heard of the pool rooms
being run in the city, ana said that
efforts were being made to suppress
them President York added, how
ever. that gambling had always ex.
listed in New York. and that in his
opinion it always would exist.
Ex-Chief McCullash testified as to
the circumstances of his removal