New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-13

MOUNT vERNON's TROLLEY WAR LEADS
TO WARM WORDS.

CONFLICTING TESTIMONY REGARDING THE SUP
PRESSED APPLICATION FOR FRANCHISE.
The Board of Aldermen of Mount Vernon. at a
special session last evening began the investiga-
ton of the Of scandal In connection with the
fight going In that city street railway
franchises. The investigation was held on charges
made by the Board of Trade against City Clerk
William n. Hoyt. for suppressng a public docu-
ment. Mayor Fiske is also charged by the Board
with having employed arbitrary and high-handed
methods in order to franchise for the New
York, Westchester and Connecticut Traction Com
pany but the Board of Trade has decided to prefer
the charges against him to the Governor and at
tempt to impeach him. The charges made by the
Board OF Trade against City Clerk Hoyt that at
a regular meeting Of the Aldermen the night Of
December G. at which a franchise for seven miles Of
the principal streets of the city was given to the
New-York, Westchester and Connecticut Traction
Company he suppressed application from the
Westchester Electric Company better known as the
Union Railroad for the same routes. A committee
of Aldermen who investigated the matter said that
by the action OF the Clerk the Aldermen were mis-
led and voted in favor Of the New-York. Westches
and Connecticut Traction Company. favored by
Mayor Fiske.
This proceeding caused much indignation
among the Aldermen that they have since rescinded
the traction company's franchise. and will have the
entire matter gone over again.
There was large attendance Of citizens at tho
trial. The City Clerk represented by ex-City
Judge George G. Appel the Aldermen by Corpora
tion Counsel William J. Marshall and the Board Of
Trade by Joseph s. Wood and J. Mortimer Bell.
Mr.. Wood is president Of the Board Of Education
of Mount Vernon City Clerk Hoyt placed
the stand. He admitted receiving the application
on the afternoon Of December and placing it in
the receptacle used for such communications. He
said that he did not see the document again until
after the meeting Of December g. which he was
accused of suppressing IT,
Miss Imogene Hoyt. who is her brothers as
sistant also knew Of the receipt Of the West
chester application She sorted the papers and
communications and testified having placed 1t
on clip. together with the rival Application Of the
traction company. Mr. Hoyt, recalled. said that
he did not know what done with the applica-
ton after he placed II In the receptacle. He did
not see It again until after the meeting. and then
found II on a clip underneath the application or
the traction company. He then presented the
appcatio. Mayor F'ske and called his atten-
tion to it, but. the traction company having re-
ceived It's franchise, the meeting ADJOURNED "ltn-
out having IL read.
citizens asked him why he had not presented the
Westchester franchise, and he replied tnal lne
Aldermen had cut him off by adjourning too
Mir, Hoyt under wtherng cross examnation,
admitted he had seen the Westchester application
before the meeting had adjourned ne sad ne dla
not present II because he Is servant o the Board
Before a verdict reached the Aldermen were
compeled TO adjourn because OF the ateness OF me
hour The proceedings with the arsuments VIII
he given to the Aldermen. and they VIII meet as
carly as possible to decide whether or not the
rfer ne meeting Mayor Fske and Colonel John
T., Rrrant Editor Of 'The Chronicle Record" had
a quarrel and nearly came to oiows'