Evening star., 1899-04-14
Tammany Boss Before the Mazet In
vestiigatinlg Committee.
INTERR0GATED BY Mr.. MOSS
ModestIy Acknowledges He is the
Leader of Tammany.
FAVORS POLITICAL PARTIES

" uiIttt anu iliuiitCl tiioIlS 10 ascertain
the extent of the influence exercised oy
Richard Croker. The understanding that
Mr.. Croker would take the witness stand
today created an interest that Is scarcely
likely to be exceeded at any of the future
sessions
Justice Leventritt of the supreme court
Immediately upon the commencement of the
proceedings addressed the members of the
committee, saying that he had been called
here to testify. and that the business of his
court was suffering thereby. He asked for
immediate examination. Mr.. Moss excused
the justice until further notice. Then the
name of Richard Croker was called. The
Tammany Hall leader was sworn.
Mr.. Croker Answers Questions.
you live at the Democratic Club, do you
not?" asked Mr.. Moss.
Yes, SIR said Mr. Croker.
You are the leader of the political or
ganization generally known as Tammany
Hall, are you not?"
II don't know that ann
Generally conceded to be, are you not?"
asked Mr.. Moss. sAIavely.
WELL" said Mr.. Croker. Il amt talking
for myself. If others say l am, am
Mr.. Croker agreed with Mr. Moss that the
government of city and country depended
upon existence of political parties.
The witress could not recall any officer
or the city government upon whose sslec-
ton his advice had not been asked. He
maintained, however. that they were not
his personal selections, but had been
chosen by himself and his immediate asso-
ciates. Once in q while Mr.. Croker met
these gentlemen and consulted over the
affairs of the city and OF their departments.
Mr. Croker admitted that he had said the
Mazet committee was "ail a case of spite
on the part of the republican members of
the legislature"
Interested in Amsterdam "Grab.-
Mr.. Croker said he had been interested in
the matter of Amsterdam avenue grab
and also in the matter of the Astoria gas
bill. He had tried to give the people what
they wanted In answer to the question if
he had not ever tried to influence the ac-
ton of some Of the republican members of
the legislature.T Mr. aCroker replied:
Not of hhenfl
Mr. Croker admitted that at a meeting of
the executive Committee of Tammany Hall
he had given out the directions that the
Tammany members of the municipal as
sembly must pay more attention to their
work and be Present in their seats to pass
upon the matters pending. He denied that
Mr.. Croker's anxiety about the alleged
neglect of Business was due to the fact
that he wisheh quitk action upon bridge
and building code resolutions which We're
before the assembly. Mr.. Croker said that
he had no more cotftrol over matters polit-
ical than any otller citizen who is recog-
nIse1, nizea = and !, wh9 Is fixed and who is
-,'"Do you know Of ANY 6fher CITIZEN who
has had his; wishes respScted as you havec"
asked Mr. NJ oss: 81
Some have. said Mr. Croker, but he
could not recaiItheir names at the present
time "Others have thair influence" he
said, but probably not 10 such an extent"
Absolute Control of the Money
Mr. Croker hat nc cbafr oF h.
finance committee of Tammany Hall he
could not tell anything much about the
contributions to the campaign funds. The
finance committee very seldom had a meet
ing. He rendered no account of the moneys
received and dsbursed by him az chairman
All the money received for political usa in
Tammany passed through the hands of
John McQuaid, treasurer of the organza-
ton
Mr.. Moss asked if candidates for judicial
office had not contributed amounts ranging
from $4,000 to $4,000.
"They have paid some" said Mr.. Croker
but nothing like the amount Mr. Moss
mentioned. They might have paid as much
as 1000 or 5000
Mr.. Croker said the organization assess
ments of candidates was usual, but not
compulsory.
Mr.. Moss asked why he CIoss) had been
displaced as president of the police board
and Mr. Croker replied:
Il didn't approve of you politically"
Mr.. Croker said his partner in the real
estate business was Peter F. Meyer who
was also connected with the dock board.
Firm Has the Judicial Sales
Mr.. Moss tried to bring out that judicial
sales had been given to Cookers real estate
firm on account of the political influence of
the witness.
Mr.. Croker said he knew that at the pres
ent time his firm had nearly all the judicial
sales.
so that if you have a controlling voice in
the affairs of that party" asked Mr. Moss
land secure the nomination of true men
you may be that at least in the real
estate exchange and in the firm of Meyer
& Croker you will. as a true democrat, get
some of that profit?
I'VE at least expected to be befriended,"
said Mr.. Croker.
Then you are working for your own
IAN the time, the same you are" re-
piled the witness. at is to the party be-
longs the spoiis." added Mr., Croker
And to the boss belongs the lions share
of the plunder." sReered Mr.. Moss.
NO plunder, no., said Croker You can
call it whatever you like. Because men are
loyal to us you call that pllnder When you
send your bill in for the work you are do.
ing here for the legislature you might as
We'll call that plurder.'
Mr.. Moss said:
Then you are working for money largely
as boss of Tammany sHall?'
NO, L do not;f am no boss insisted Mr..
Croker.
The "no,~" Wants a Living.
Il want to get my living
'.From plunder ~ Iiaged the lawyer
mo, not fromf psunder. spoils. either"
Mr.. Croker saw 'ndthing inconsistent in
receiving proftS that came through the
appointees of TIE Organization.
Mr.. Croker SIC exaHsnatien was tempo
hui
former president OF The Bar Association.
was called 81 witness.
He referred to- his former prosecution of
BOSS" Tweed Hnd said the construction of
public works and the opportunity given to
officials and q,fasi-efficials to get plunder
was chiefly responsible for the corruption
that existed in thoseGays.
Mr. Peckham kaidahb had talked to Judges
regarding the assessments made upon them
for their offices by their political organiza-
tions and said the~amoBnts assumed to
have been paid by the judges would range
between ten thousand and twenty-five
thousand dollars.
Mr. Peckham said that he thought the
system of judicial patronage was as had
as 1t could be- He said the appraisers -