New-York tribune., 1899-05-18
THE TESTIMONY IN DETAIL,
WITNESSES SHOW THAT POOLROOMS ABOUND IN THIS CITY
AND ARE RUN WIDE OPEN
IGNOMINIOUS SHOWING OF JACOB HESS.

missioner Hamilton also got chance TO refute
the seemingly baseless charge Of blackmailing
made so glibly against him by Mayor Van
Wyck on what the citys Chief Executive ad-
rnitted was mere hearsay evidence. The only
recalcltrant witness was James A. Mahoney,
who refused to tell whether he or was not
financially interested in a large number OF the
city poolroorns The sensation Of the day. how
ever was. 70 many minds. the testimony OF Po-
lice Commissioner Hess who brazenly acknowl-
edged that he voted to retire former Chief Of
Police McCullagh because he feared the Mayor
would remove him Hess If he did not; and he
needed the salary. because his private business
did not afford him living. Hess also swore
that horses were bought for the police three at
8 time in order that the law calling for open
nias might be evaded The committee Will re-
sumo its hearings at 1890 o'clock to-day. Here
follows the testimony IN detail:
HAMILTON REFUTES THE MAYOR.
eAYs VAN wYCK's CHARGE OF BLACKMA1L
is ABSOLUTELY FALSE.
The chairman called the meeting to order at 1870
o'clock
Nj Moss-I call Mr.. Hamilton.
The Chairman-The sergeant-at-arms will pre-
serve order IN the room. Gentlemen must be seated
quietly.
Thomas I.
Mr. Moss-Mr Hamilton. you were formerly Po-
lice Commissioner, were you9 A-Yes, sir.
Q-Appointsd by whom? A.-Mayor Van Wyck
o-And you began 10 serve on the 1st Of January.
IssS? A-lsss
Q-Your Board chose the FIRST Chief Of Greater
New-York did II not? A.-Yes. sir.
Q-Mr. McCuagh? A-Yes, sir.
o-There was a motion transfer a captain
named HerlIhy When that made? When did
you first hear Of il? Al think that was the
am not quite certain about the date. ii Is so fsr
back II was along about that time.
Herlihv7 A.@The hrst time that l heard OF IT Mr.
SEXTON introduced a resolution I'm the Board for
ne 9That fas was before Mr. Deyery was made Chief
wasn't t2 A--That was before Mr. Devery was
QSWhst S1e reason was assigned for transferring
him? Al don't know as ne gave any @ reason son -o
son assigned for transferring him? A-No.
,Iink ne simply introduced the resolution and the
Tesoution was put by the president and defeated.
oWas that the end 81 IT, SO f@T ar as s goT y, Vw II ,o
Didn't you know Of any other efforts that
Hbvq A~No: ! cannot say that l did directly
Mr Moss heard r1mors that efforts were being
made transfer Captain Herhny' oul couiu no'
trace It home 10 anybody ,s l.,
Q-Was there any particular reason assigned IN
those rumors for his being transferred? A-Not
that I know Of; no, sir.
MCULLAGHS RETIREMENT.
Q.-When was it first proposed TO YOU that Cher
Mcculagh should be retired? Alt never
proposed 10 me; II was resolution introduced IN
the Board. think, two or three weeks after the
Herlihy resolution was introduced. That was the
first heard Of any proposition to remove McCul-
lagh any more than / had seen IL in the public
prints
Q.-You had seen in the public prints that he was
10 be removed, had you noty A.-fes sir.
Q.-Who introduced that resolution? A.-Mr.
QNThe same man that wanted TO transfer Cap
Q-You voted against the resolution. I rernem-
be Al al, dio 1otn GI tne Mr. pbu,ns h. voted
against them? A.-To the best OF my recollection
Q~Was there any discussion among the members
Of the Board when the resolution failed? WASH
R E matter kSd %bs off, the ds w9s to ny rne
resolution OF that kind; In fact when the reSolu-
so by surprise that it dumfounded me for the min
ute The Board then Immediately adjourned, and
that was the last heard of Il.
Q-Was any reason assigned for introducing
resolution TO retire him? Was there teTsr any accuSa
Q-Or any suggestion that he was Nefhcient
Q-Was any police reason assigned? A-None
QNFor retiring him? A.-None whatever that I
oIAnd while you were there in the Board; did
sSove he Co5nmissoners assign 70 your knowl-
edge any reason why Mr., McCulagh should DC
retired from his position? A-No' SIT.
NO CHARGE AGAINST HIM
o-o0 the contrary. is it not fact that the
president OF the Board and the individual members
Of The Board commended the police ability Of MI
McCuNagh? AIR. York did. yes. sir.
Q-Was there any dissenting voice from Mr..
York's commepdation? AVvWen that was Io Gus,
OF three times Mr.. York discussed Mr.. McCullagh,
sno MI York SAID ne had the h!snest Op.iion s W. Ul
Mr. McCUIagh; he was one OF the best chiers New
ODD The introducer Of the resolution Mr.. Sex
ton ever say anything TO you, in your knowl-
edge. against the ability and character OF the man
he desired 10 retire? A-No. sir; he did not.
Q.-Xas not again DrOacne4 10 you
after the resolution was lost by me tie vote that
Q-Dd YOU not know that you yourself would be
removed if Mr. McCullagh was not retired? A
Q.-Were you not expecting it? Ayes I was
Q.-W6y were YOU expecting it? A-Well pre-
sumo that they wanted to make Mr. Devery ChieI:
ana that in he event Of my not voting lot II my
o..-You looked upon it seriously as that did
Q-And YOU still persisted in Withholding your
Soie for the resolution TO retire McCulIaedh d cti
o-In other words you put your sense OF duty
above the holding Of the position 10 which you had
o-1naY you persisted in your refusal to vote to
retire him knowing that your official position, vas vas
e1scils e1sil18Ho Know because @s' NOBODY had tod me .
,S-Was tne first ntmation ,,e OF tne
XYey XS-Is you the receipt OF your n0'''e o. '''''''
Q-That was the first notice? A.-That was the
first won't saw that ! was going up Broadway
think al / o'c.ock and Just as was passing Ine
Post Building they were just putting up a bulletin,
Hamilton and Philips removed" That is the hrst
knew oS n
Q-That was your first actual notice? A-fes;
,Q-And you had met with your coAeagres IN Sne
Board meeting that very morning; a. M ne % t9'uI IT,
adjourned / think about ten minutes 70 r. II
vent into session little aftef 10 ana adJourheo !"
little after l2
MAYORS CHARGE BASELESS.
o-It has been alleged here that you used your
Official position 10 coerce certain gentlemen named
Canary & Iederer. into the payment OF money 10
you. and the Mayor has given that as one OF inc
reasons why he removed you. Did you hear ihe
testimony Of the Mayor? Al did; 1t was abso-
lutey false
q In what respect was 1t false? As re-
member his testimony. ne said that refused u ~
grant license to Canary & Lederer until the!
PAID q bill AS o matter Of fact MI NOES ina
almost thirty days after / was out OF the Police
Board