The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-17
Renewal OF the Maxet Committees
investigation of the Conduct of
Affairs Under Tammany Rule.
NEW YORK NOT A SINFUL PLACE
IF THE TESTIMONY OF THE MAYOR
IS TO BE BELIEVED.
One of His OId-Time Friends the Boss
Gambler Of the Big Cfty-What
Other Witnesses Said.

NEW YORK, May 16.-Mayor Robert A
Van Wyck was on the witness stand to-day
before the MaZet investigating committee.
Mayor Van Wyck gave it as his opinion
that the conduct of affairs under the new
charter has been remarkably satisfactory,
but refused tc express an opinion regarding
changes in the city offices that might tend
TO improve the administration of the city's
affairs. There was not much of note about
the mayors testimony, and only on one oc-
casion Gid he find reason to make an out
break. This was when he was questioned
by Counsel Moss, of the committee, regard
ing the rumored connection of "a man
named Van Wyck' with a number Of pool
rooms. The mayor became very angry at
this and declared that Mr.. Moss had asked
the question for the purpose Of "insinua-
tion." He demanded that If ANY evidence
was obtained to prove any such connection
1t should be produced before the committee.
He denied most emphatically that he had
any connection with any pool rooms what
soever or any Illegal business. Mayor Van
Wyck asserted emphatically also that he
had never consulted with any one regard
ing the appointments he had made and that
he, himself, was the most powerful factor
guided absolutely by his own affairs and
not by those OF Mr.. Croker or any one else.
Police Commissioners Sexton and York, ex-
Chief McCullagh and Chief Devery were
the other witnesses to-day.
When Mayor Van Wyck took the witness
chair he was questioned as to whether he
consulted with Richard Croker regarding
the conduct of the city government He
Aoflx ted fhof ba Matt Nr
Van Wyck said. had he consulted with Mr..
Croker regarding the removal of city offices
from the New York Life Insurance building
He was very well satisfied with the eff
cheney shown in the various city Offices. Mr..
Van Wyck said he had not consulted with
Mr.. Croker at Lakewood, in December, 1897,
on the subject of the selection of heads of
departments, but he had running con-
versation'' on that subject with John F..
Carroll. who is close to Mr.. Croker in polit-
ical matters.
Reverting to the subject of the quarters
provided for the departments. Counsel Moss
asked the mayor if he did not know that
the building to which the health depart
ment had been assigned was not fireproof.
NO FIRE-PROOF BUILDINGS.
There Is not f1reproof building in the
city," replied the mayor.
Mr.. Van Wyck denied that he had been
elected mayor by Tammany. He had. he
said. been chosen by the people OF Greater
New York.
who Is there in the organization which
is sponsor for your administration that has
more power than Mr.. Croker?' asked Mr.
Moss.
Nobody has more power than have." re-
piled the mayor.
Have you done a single thing contrary
to the wishes of Mr.. Croker?" demanded the
lawyer.
II don't know" said the mayor.
you have never been called to account?"
Nobody dare call me to account" re-
sponded the mayor. warmly. 'I cannot be
called to account except the court shall or
ganize some judicial tribunal. No individual
can cali me to account
When asked the question whether 1t was
contrary to his political ethics that there
should be leader of the party whose voice
shall have great influence and weight with
the chief executive, the mayor said tartly:
tartly:
You'd better call Senator Platt and ask
him that question He knows more about
leadership than do" The mayor declined
to answer further in this respect.
The mayor said he had dismissed Chief
McCullogh because he thought he was not
a fit man for the head of the police force
Police Commissioners Phillips and Hamil-
ton were also removed because he believed
they were unfit Phillips had been indicted
and the mayor wrote to him that he must
seek a speedy trial or be removed. The lat
ter happened. Hamilton had told the mayor
that he would consent to no transfer of any
member of the force without previously con-
sulting with Senator Platt II told him."
testified the mayor that the police de-
partment could not be run from Washing
ton.' The mayor also said that Hamilton
"blackmailed" the Casino. Hamilton's firm,
according to the mayors testimony. had
claim against that theater. and Hamilton
as police commissioners had refused to
grant the Casino a license until the bill was
paid. The mayor said. however that he had
only hearsay evidence against Hamilton.
SAID HE WAS A LIAR.
The mayor said that from rumors he be-
lieved that just before Hamilton was re-
moved a combination was being formed be-
tween Hamilton, ouigg. Gibbs and Nc
Cullogh to sell positions on the police force.
That was just previous to Hamiltons re-
movai. In AN interview with McCullogh he
had told the chief Of police that he was a
liar when the latter had stated that he
knew nothing about the politics of any po-
lice inspector or captain. Any chief OF po-
lice. said the mayor. must know the poll
tics of his officers.
The mayor said that II Devery was as bad
as McculIogh he ought to "be kicked out.
too"
Whether Devery was better than Mccul-
logh the mayor did not know. He had tried