Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-04-21
CROKER A WITNESS
Before the Mazet Investigation
Committee.

Referred to Personal Auairss--No IN
vestIgatiOn of Plat.
Richard Croker and his chief lieutenant,
John f. Carroll, testified before the Mazet
investigating committee at New York Fri
day. Both declined to tell what stocks
they owned, the questions being designed
to show that they were interested in firms
and corporations that secured public pat
ronage Mr.. Carroll gave up a $1,000 po-
sition, and now receives no salary, but he
declined to tell how he makes his living.
Ex-Judge DAILY said he had paid $1,000 as
sessment to Tammany when nominated.
but was told by Mr.. Croker that he would
not be renominated because he had refused
to make a certain appointment, and de-
clined to order the real estate sales moved
from the exchange to the rooms of CrQker's
firm Ex-Judge Pryor said he had paid
$40, 900 assessment to Tammany.
Croker was again the chief witness Sat
urday. He produced several sensations,
but these resulted more from his counter
charges than from any unexpected revela-
tions wormed out of him by the tireless
Moss. Mr.. Croker was at bay. He de-
clared that Senator Platts firm was at the
bottom of all the corruption in New York
city. go on and examine Mr.. Platt's firm
and find out what his boys are in, if you
want to be honest, shouted Mr.. Croker. He
also ntmated that he believed Mr.. Moss
had been none too honest while a police
commissioner. He stoutly maintained his
| own honesty. Once or twice during the
dramatic exchange of accusation and de-
| NAL between lawyer and leader, tempers
| were lost on both sides. There was no veil
| ing to the accusations of dishonesty i'm
| piled by the host of questions which Mr..
Moss hurled at Mr.. Croker, and which al
most invariably were met with the reply:
81 decline to answer" Stock transactions,
| Mr.. Croker maintained, were personal
matters" Behind this answer he hedged
| time and time again, and as a result there
was only small amount of tangible evil
| dence adduced as regards alleged corrup-
| ton, although some questions asked and not
| denied implied that corruption of the worst
| kind existed.
Mr.. Moss endeavored to badger Mr..
Croker into telling of his personal affairs,
and finally told the Tammany leader that
take the "dare" The only other witness
whose testimony attracted attention was
Peter f. Meyer Mr.. Crokers business part
ner. He, too, believed that personal mat
ters" should not be examined into, and as
a result his evidence only resulted in the
inadvertent admission, afterward qualified
that Mr.. Croker had him (Meyer) appointed
a dock commissioner.
| Assemblyman Hoffman offered resolu
ton before the Mazet investigation com
mittee Monday calling for the investiga
ton of rumors THAT certain law firm in
the city of New York, by and with the as
sistance of other persons, by corrupt means
secured the passage through the assembly
of the state of New Yok of bill known
as the Astoria gas franchise" and declar.
ing that "the real purpose of the Astoria
gas franchise was to enable the Consoli
dated Gas company to force consolidation
of all the gas interests of the city, to the
end that the supply of gas might be con
trolled and the price of the same regulated
by the so-called consolidation" The reso-
lutions further declared that it was neces
sary to subpoena the following persons:
The law firm of Tracy, Boardmau &
Platt, Elihu Root, the incorporators of the
Astoria Heat, Light and Power company
Senstor Thomas G. Platt, Benz. B. Odell
jr., ex-Congressman Lemuel Eli Quigg,
John D. Crimmins and others. The reso-
lutions were defeated by a vote of five tc
two, all the Republican members of the com.
mittee voting no. Mr.. Mazet, speaking OF
|
tain work to perform; that its mode of pro
cedure had been laid out, and that the
present is no time for the taking up of ex'
traneous matter. 1t was understood that
he spoke for all the Republicans on the
committee.
Mr.. Moss asked Mr.. Croker about the
contributions made by the Judicial candi
dates last year. Mr.. Croker could not tel
the amount. Mr.. Croker had never heard
that the Metropolitan street railroad OF
persons interested in it had contributed
$3.50, 600 to Tammany Hall during the last
election. He did not pay Mr.. Carroll any
salary, and as far as he knew was not in
receipt of a salary from Tammany Hall
Mr.. Croker had received no money, direct
ly or indirectly, from Mr.. Carroll during
the last year. From Andrew Freedman
he, or rather his firm, Meyer & Croker
had received money. Mr.. Croker said hi
was interested with Mr.. Freedman in tn,
United States Fidelity company, in which
he owned some stock.
"You know that all the bonded officers
of the city government take out theil
bonds from your company" queried Mr.
Moss.
"Not all of them, said the witness.
| 'Nearly all of themF'
| OOIuo Jake Iuoul OUT from your DOSSl
company" This caused loud laughter.
'Do you mean Mr.. Platt's company
asked Mr.. Moss.
eyes," said Mr.. Croker. "You know
what 1 mean" And there was NOR,
laughter.
"What would you think of good Tam
many man who would go to Mr.. Platt'i
concern to take out his bondsl" asked tn,
lawyer.
"There are some that go there, " said Mr.
Croker. "He has cut the rates" anc
there was loud laughter.
Mr.. Croker presumed his own company
had the majority of the business in tn,
city and Mr.. Platt's in the state.
Mr., Croker displayed his temper at one
time, declaring that he and his associates
were not pack of thieves, and that the
people had shown confidence in their ability
to run the city. He denied that he had re
ceived large sums of money from individ
uals which were not for profit or earnings
from business. He said that he would ap
pear as witness any time that he wa
wanted.
The other important testimony of tn,
day was by Simon Buttner, dive keeper
who told of paying 800 month for police
protection. After making payments for {
year he received intimation that he mus
pay over to the police a part of any spoili
he might receive.
British Drive Out Chinese.