The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-18

New York, April 14.-Richard Croker
was on the stand today before the Ma
yet investigating committee and he will
be on the stand again tomorrow. John
F. Carroll, the Tammany leaders chief
deputy, was also put through a course
of questioning this afternoon. Judge
Joseph F. DAILY, whom the democrats
refused to renominate for justice Of
the supreme court last fall, told of his
treatment by Mr.. Croker and Tam
many, while other prominent witnesses
contributed testimony that went TO
make the day a most notable one in
the investigation into the city's af-
fairs.
The examination of Richard Croker
was a remarkable one, chiefly by rea-
son of the answers which he returned
% the questions propounded to him by
Mr.. Moss. He was brief and direct and
took advantage of the many opportuni-
ties offered him to retOrt in a manner
that evoked applause many times from
those gathered in the oNnittee room.
He gave events somewhat a
turn when after refusing to answer
several questions concerning his pri-
vate affairs, he held up his right hand
and said impressiVely: If you can
show me where / have taken a single
dollar from this city, you can cut that
arm Off"
CROKER ON THE STAND.
When the Tammany chief went on
the stand at the beginning of the days
session, Mr.. Moss conducted a line OF
questioning which Mr.. Croker evident
ly believed was a loss of time, for ne
suddenly leaned forward and said: 1t
is not necessary to bring up what ev.
erybody knows. There is no use of
playing to the gallery; there is no use
making speeches. L am the leade of
the party and l acknowledge it. All
these people are my friends and l am
going to stick to them all the time.
just give me straight talk. l am go
ing to give you straight talk. Ihat
is ALL"
Mr.. Moss said he would
date him, and he e~ndeavored to do so.
He drew from Mr.. Croker the fact that
the Tammany chief believed that all
the officers of administration of all de-
partments should go to the victorious
political party. ITO the victors belong
the spoils," he added.
Continuing, Mr.. Croker said that
when the democrats placed men in Of
flee, the party expected to have those
men do what the leaders Of the party
asked them to do. He himself had
recommended the appointment OF pre-
vious officials and the distribution of
patronage. NOL III every case, uOWeN-
er, he. said, had his wishes been car
ried out. He admitted, nevertheless,
that he had a considerable amount Of
political influence.
A matter that Mr.. Moss gave atten-
ton was Mr.. Croker's connection with
the auctioneering business
by Peter f. Meyer by whom the major
ity of the judicial sales are conducted.
Mr.. Croker said he had been a men,
Der of the firm for some years, and as
a true democrat, he expected to be be-
riende in the way of profit from the
sales.
Then you are working for your
pocket?" said Mr. Moss.
A the time, the same as you are
retorted the witness.
ITO the boss belongs the lions share
of the plumber" sneered Mr.. Moss.
No plumber, no." said Mr.. Croker.
You can call it what you like. You
can call the bill you sent to the legis-
lature, for the work you are now DO
ing, plumber, if you please
There was loud applause at this, and
Mr.. Mazet said he would clear the hall
if the applause occurred again, but
Mr.. Moss said he rather liked 1T.
Mr.. Croker told the committee that 1t
was customary for candidates for of
flee to contribute to election expenses.
and stated that some contributions mao
been as high as $4,000 or $4,000: he
said that the contributions were not
compulsory, out WERE, III many IoSSo
on the contrary, ~vOluntary
Perhaps the most interesting part OF
the investigation today was that or
which Mr.. Croker was questioned close
Iy as to how he had made his money
Mr.. Croker refused to tell OF his prl-
vate affairs, but admitted that he was
a member of several companies, one OF
which is the Air and. Power company
with a capital stock of $40, 600, OOO. lie
said; I've got nothing to conceal. Il
any one comes to me with a good StocF
to buy, l buy it and so would you.
will not go into AMI details of my prl'
vate business"
Mr.. Moss e~ndeavored in a persuasive
way, to induce Mr.. Croker to give fur
Their information on the subject o
money making, but the witness re
fused to give details.
incidentally Mr.. Croker praised
thief Devery and the police depart
ment and was on the stand when tn
hearing adjourned.
EX-JUDGE DAILY TESTIFIES.
Former Judge Joseph DAILY, who wa
called during the course of the after
noon said that he had been notifie
in the early part of last year that h
need not expect a denomination. I'M
notification came directly from M
Croker and it was, he said, the resul
of his refusal to appoint a chief cler
of the court of common pleas recon-
mended by Croker and because he ha
refused to make a judicial order &c
the removal of the legal sales from tn
real estate exchange to No. III Broad
way. where Peter F. Meyers firm
located.
Judge Daily Said that he had pal
$1,000 in ASSESSMENTS for his two nom
nations by Tammany hall.
EX-JUDGE PRYOR 4 WITNESS.
Former Judge Roger A. Pryor, WI
followed Judge DAILY, testified that h
too, had contributed to Tammany c
account of his nomination, he havir
sent a, check for so, 600, payable to II
order of Richard Croker, chairman
the finance committee of Tammar
hall. This check was returned to HI