The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-15
HOW TAMMAMY RUNS GOTHAM.
CROKER SAYS HE WILL ALWAYS
STICK TO HIS FRIENDS.

offered His Arm If 1t Is shown
That He Took Money From the
City-Wanted Straight Talk-said
He Ought to Share in the Profits.
Witnesses Tell What They Paid
for Northumberland Admits
That What Croker Says in Tam
many, Goes.
New York, April 14-Richard Croker
was on the stand to-day before the Mazet
investigating commission and he will be
there again tomorrow.
John T. Carroll, the Tammany leaders
chief deputy, was also put through
course of questioning this afternoon.
Judge Joseph F. DAILY, whom the Dem
ocrats refused to renominate for justice
of the Supreme Court last fall, told of
his treatment by Mr.. Croker and Tam
many, while other prominent witnesses
contributed testimony that went to make
the days most notable one in the investi-
cation into the city's affairs.
The examination of Richard Croker was
a 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 advan-
tage of the many opportunities offered him
to. retort in a manner that evoked ap-
plause many times from those gathered
| in the committee room.
Mr.. Croker gave events somewhat of a
turn, when after refusing to answer sew
eral questions concerning his private af-
| fairs, he held up his right hand and said
| impressively:
"If you can show me where have taken
a single dollar from this city you can cut
| that arm off
VIII stick TO His Friends.
When the Tammany chief went on the
stand at the beginning of the days ses,
sion. Mr.. Moss conducted a line of ques.
| tionng which Mr.. Croker evidently be-
lieved was a loss of time, for he sud
denly leaned forward and said:
1T is not necessary to bring up what
| everybody knows. There Is no use pay
| ing to the gallery there is no use making
| speeches.
81 am the leader of the party. and
| acknowledge it. All these people are my
! friends, and l am going TO stick to them
| all the time. just give me straight talk
l am going to give you straight talk. That
| is an' ,ssA-.4.
| Mr.. Moss said he would accommodate
him, and he endeavored 20 do so. He drew
| from Mr. Croker the fact that the Tam
| many chief believed that all the offices
| of administration of all departments
| should go TO the victorious political party.
| ITO the victors belong the spoils.'' he
| added
| Continuing. 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 aur,oint
ment of various officials and the distribu-
tion of patronage. Not in every case. how
| ever, he said. had his wishes been carried
| out He admitted, nevertheless that he
had considerable amount of political in
| fiuence.
PIunder VS.. Profit.
A matter that Mr.. Moss gave attention
! to was Mr.. Croher's connection with the
| auctioneering business conducted by Peter
| F. Meyer by whom the majority OF the
| judicial sales are conducted. Mr. Croker
| said he had been a member of the firm for
| several years and as a true Democrat he
expected TO be befriended in the wav of
| profit from the sales.
Then you are working for your pocx-
et?" said Mr. Moss.
"All the time, the Same as you are.''
retorted the witness.
40 the boss belong the lions share of
the plumber" sneered Mr. Moss.
"No plunder, no. said Mr.. Croker. lyon
can call it what you like. You can call
| the bill you sent to the legislature. for
the work you are now doing, plunder IL
you please"
There was loud applause at this and Mr.
Mazet said he would clear the han If The
Il. 4
said he rather liked it.
MIR. Croker told the committee tbat II
was customary for candidates TO offer 10
contribute election expenses, and stated
| that some contributions mad been as high
as $1,000 or Sl0,o00 He said that rho
contributions We're not compulsory. but
We're in many cases, on the contrary. vol
untary.
Had Nothing to Conceal.
Perhaps the most Interesting part of the
| investigation to-day was that in which
Mr. Croker was questioned closely as TO
how he had made his money.
Mr.. Croker refused to tell Of his nr,-
vate affairs, but admitted that he was !
member Of several companies, one of
which is the Air and Power Connany
with capital stock OF S1O,0oO000. H.
said:
i've got nothing to conceal. If snv
one comes 10 me with a good stock Ia
buy, buy it. and so would you. win
not go into any details Of my private
business"
Mr. Moss endeavored i'm a persuas si,,a
way to induce Mr.. Croker to give furtber
information on the subject Of rnonev-roal,
ing but the witness refused to give de-
tails.
Incidentally. Mr. Croker praised c,b,o,
Devery ana the police department,
and was on the stand when the hearlng
adjourned.
Paid for Nominations.
Former Judge Joseph +. Da!y. who mo-.
called during the course Of The afternonn
said that he had been notified in tho earIt
part Of last year that he need moi err.re,
a denomination.
This notification came directly from M,
Croker and IL was. he said, the ree,,it
Of hla refusal 70 appoint chief clerlr ~
the Court Of Common Please recommended
by Croker and because he had refused ~
make judicial order for the removal of
the legal sale from the Real Estate Er-