The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-04-15
CROKER AS 4 WITNESS.
HIS DRAMATIC DECLARATION.

D0NAuVp w AAoNO2t DuDihV6S hh"hb s
New York. April 15.-Richard Croker
was on the stand yesterday before the
htazet investigating committee, and
was called again today. John +. Car
roll, the Tammany leaders chief den-
uty, was also put through course Of
questioning Judge Joseph F. DAILY,
whom the Democrats refused to renom-
mate for justice OF the supreme court
last fall, told of his treatment by Mr..
Croker and Tammany, while other
prominent witnesses contributed tes-
timony that went to make the day q
most notable one In the investigation
into the city's affairs.
The examination Of Richard Croker
was remarkable one, chiefly by reason
of the answers which he returned to
the questions propounded to him by
Mr.. Moss. He was brief and direct.
and took advantage of the many op-
a manner that evoked applause many
times from those gathered In the COM
mittee room.
Mr.. Croker gave events somewhat
dramatic turn when, after refusing to
answer several questions concerning
his private affairs, he held up his right
hand and said impressively: IF you
can show where l have taken a single
dollar from this city, you can cut that
arm Off"
When the Tammany chief first went
on the stand Mr.. Moss conducted lice
of questioning which Mr.. Croker evil
dopfIu hoIia,oI Ssroy r,fk Far
he suddenly leaned forward and said:
ut is not necessary to bring up what
everybody knows. There is no use
playing to the gallery; there is no use
making speeehes. ! am the leader of
the party, and | ackno wledge 1t. All
these people are my friends, and l am
going to stick to them all. the time"
Mr.. Moss drew from Mr. Croker the
fact that the Tamnany chief believed
that all the offices of administration of
all departments should 90 to the vie
torious political party. 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. He himself
had recommended the appointment of
various officials and the distribution of
patronage. Not in every case how
ever he said. had his wishes been car
ried out. He admitted, nevertheless.
that he had considerable amount of po-
litical influence.
A matter that Mr.. Moss gave atten-
ton to was Mr.. Cookers connection
with the auctioneering business con-
Quoted by Peter F. Meyer. by whom
the majority of the judicial sales are
conducted. Mr.. Croker said he had
been member of the firm for some
years, and as true Democrat be ex-
pected to be befriended in the way
of profit from the sales.
"rhen you are working for your own
pocket?" said Mr.. Moss.
All the time, the same as you are
"'ro the boss belongs the lions share
OF the plumber" sneered Mr.. Moss.
mo plumber, no. said Croker. You
can call 1t what you like. You can call
the bill you sent to the legislature for
the work you are now doing plumber,
If you please"
Mr.. Croker told the committee that
1t was customary for candidates to
Office to contribute to election expen-
SEES, and stated that some contributions
had been as high as $4,000 Or $4,000.
He said that the contributions were
not compulsory. but were, in many
cases, on the contrary, voluntary.
Perhaps the most interesting part
of the investigation was that In which
Mr.. Croker was questioned closely as
to how he had made his money. Mr..
Croker refused to tell of his private
affairs, but admitted that he was a
member of several companies, one Of
which is the Air and Power company,
with capital stock of 10000 900 He
said
I've got nothing to conceal II any
one comes to me with a good stock to
buy, l buy it, and so would you. I
will not go into any details of my
private business"
Mr.. Moss endeavored in a persuasive
way. to induce Mr. Croker to give
further information on the subject of
money making, but the witness simply
refused to give details. He declared,
however, that he was willing to let
Moss see the books of his Office for the
last seven years and see what he had
made
Incidentally Mr.. Croker praised
Chief Devery and the police depart
ment.
Former Judge Joseph F. DAILY tes-
titled that he had been notified in the
carly part of last October that he neeG
not expect denomination. This noti-
tication came directly from Mr.. Croker,
Il I,, he, . h,,
refusing to appoint Il chief clerk of
the court of common pleas recommend
ed by Mr. Croker. and because he had
refused to make a judicial order for
the removal of the legal sale to III
Broadway, where Peter +. Myers firm
is located Judge DAILY said that he had
paid $1,000 In assessments for his two
nominations by Tammany Hall.
Former Judge Roger A. Pryor testi-
fed that he, too, had contributed to
Tammany on account of his nomna-
ton, he hasing sent check for $10,-
800, payable to the order of Richard
Croker, chairman Of the finance COM
mittee Of Tammany Hall. He was sub
sequently asked to make the check
payable to the bearer, and he did so.
John F. Carroll, Mr.. Cookers chief
lieutenant, did not prove a very easy
witness, and because of his refusal to
answer questions, Mr.. Moss suggested
that he might have to have Mr.. Car
roll sent to prison for contempt Of
court. Later he asked that Mr., Car
rolls refusal to answer questions be
reported to the legislature. The cause
of all this was the question as to
whether Mr.. Carroll had any connec-
ton with the Consolidated Ice Co., or
whether he held any stock therein. 1t
developed during the examination that
Mr.. Carroll had given up a $500
position to accept his present position
IN Tammany Hall. which. theoretic-
ally is without salary.
Mr.. Moss pointed out that therefor
Mr.. Carroll was without visible means
of support, and was, technically, "a
pauper. The witness, however, denied
this, while at the same time he de-
MED that he was receiving salary
from Mr.. Croker or from Tammany
Hall, or from anybody that the coun-
sci could name
Dare you tell Of the money you
have received in the last thirty days."
asked Mr.. Moss, and Carroll retorte ed;
Il decline to answer such questions.
yn,, runpok friphtap mo -