The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-15

nesses contributed testimony that went
to make the day most notable one IN
the investigation into the citys af-
fairs.
The examination of Richard Croker
was remarkable chiefly by reason OF
answers which he returned to The
questions propounIled by Mr.. Moss. He
was brief and direct as he always is,
and took advantage of the many op-
portunities afforded him to retort in
manner that evoked applause from
those gathered in the committee
room. Mr.. Croker gave events some
what dramatic turn when, after refus-
ing to answer several questions con-
corning his private affairs, he held up
his right hand and said impressiveJy:
IF you can show me where 1 have
taken a single dollar from this city,
you can cut this arm off"
When the Tammany chief went on
the stand at the beginning of the day s
session, Mr.. Moss conducted line of
questioning which Mr.. Croker evident
ly believed was a loss of time, for he
suddenly leaned forward and said: 1T
is not necessary to bring up what
everybody knows. There is no use
playing to the gallery; there is no use
making speeches. l am the leader of
the party and 1 acknowledge it. All
these people are my friends, and I am
going to stick to them all the time.
Just give me straight talk. 1 am go
ing to give you straight talk. that IS
ALL"
Mr.. Moss said he would accommodate
him. and he endeavored to do so. He
drew from Mr.. Croker the fact that the
Tammany chief believed that all offices
and the administration of all Depart
ments should go to the victorious polit-
ical party. Continuing, Mr.. Croker said
that when the democrats placed men in
office the party expected to have those
men do what the leaders of the party
asked them to do. Mr.. Croker told the
committee that it was customary for
candidates to office to contribute to
election expenses, but the contributions
were not compulsory.
The most interesting part of the tes-
timony today was that in which Mr.
Croker was questioned closely as to
how he had made his money and his re-
fusal to tell Of his private affairs.
Mr.. Moss referred to Mr.. Croker s
wealth. saying the people are interest
ed in knowing how he got that money.
In reply Mr.. Croker said he might have
speculated little when in Gov. Flow
er's office and was willing to let Moss
see the books of his office for the last
seven years and see what he had
made. Mr.. Moss said he would be glad
to see them. Mr. Croker said his half
in the Croker and Meyer real estate
business had amounted to $4,000 or
$50. 900.
IF you can tell me where I have
taken dollar from this CITY, you can
cut that arm right off," declared Mr.
Croker. "and l want to say this, if a
friend tells me about a nice stock I can
buy. and make turn on it, I am going
to do it, and I have done it."
Mr.. Croker said that Judge Deyer
had been perfectly willing to pay the
$40, 900 assessment to cover his election
expenses, and that he offered to give a
larger contribution if necessary. Mr.
Moss put a number of questions to Mr..
Croker about political assessments, but
answers were refused.
Mr. Croker saw nothing inconsistent
in receiving profits that came through
the appointees Of the organization.
Cookers examination was temporarily
suspended and Wheeler II. Peckham,
former president of the Bar assOcia-
ton was called. He referred to his for
mer prosecution Of Boss Tweed and said
the construction Of public works and
the opportunity given to officials and
quasi-ofiicials to get plumber We're
chiefly responsible for the corruption
that existed in those days
Mr.. Peckham said he had talked to
Judges regarding the assessment made
upon them for their offices by their pO-
litical organization, and said the am
cunts assumed to have been paid by the
judges would range between $4,000 and
S25, 0000 Ex-Judge Joseph F. Daily,
who failed Of a denomination for the
supreme court By Tammany hall and
at the last election, was called He