New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-19
MR.. PLATT AND AN ARMORY
POLITICAL INFLUENCE CHARGED IN
THE AWARDING OF A CONTRACT
LITTLE CONFIRMATION,
BUT NO DENIAL
BUT NO DENIAL

Inc 4NeW-Sorh journal yesterday published
article and several letters in support of 1t charging
that Senator Platt in July last when preparations
were being made to build srTnory at Medina.
orleans County. used his influence. through Will
IAN j. Youngs. the secretary to the Governor. TO
have the contract given Filkins & De Graft. OF
Medina although Thomas WhaIen. Of Ogdensburs.
was the lowest bidder for the work. The trans
action itself does appear have been Of special
Importance and the principal interest in the letters
Is their frank indication OF political purpose IN
doing what might possibly have been warranted
public grounds
The bids were opened by a Board consisting Of
AdJutant-General Hoffman. General James McI.eer
and General Peter c. Doyle whalen's proposal
was S42.4S7 80 and Filkns & De CRAFTS $42s45
The Journal says further that Fflkins wrote 10
Senator Platt and also appealed to Irving L'4om-
medieu, State Committeeman from the XxXth Con-
gress District, for assistance in obtaining the con-
tract, and that Mr.. LHommedieu wrote the fol-
lowing letter TO Senator Plat:
NJ ~. $780, Medina, n. Y. July A. 1900
concerning the contract for the armory to be con,
erqSted at this place By accepting the proposition
ton Of a Mr.. whalen. Of Ogdensburg it viii only
Fiikins e more Ba 10 nave The contract awarded TO
Thls contract is to be awarded by the Armory
who will undoubtedly control ~ O'-7
Senator Ellsworth and myself have seen General
norman. but wish would find NJ
communicating with General Hoffman or with
friend Of his. with view Of having General Hon
man influence the Commission TO have this con-
Frankly. this matter is Of great political mo-
9snt locally: it is also Of considerable interest
should be recognized at this time. BY reason Of
ton, the Niagara County people failed to keep an
agreement Of theirs to send Mr.. Fflkins to the
Fikins so much 50 that great pressure has been
denomination by having he OrIss0s 5sIss} LOT
for Ellis. of Genesee
would like 70 Be relieved ofsthis embarrassment
He has been lifelong friend Of yours. as you
hands of the local district organlzation Sincerely
yours IRVING LHoMMEDIEU.
Mr.. Filkins's letter to Senator PIatt as published
follows:
MY Pear az. Mr. Nh Patt EGrtu4s seems to be driving
Of conferrng them Know tsf V 15 You st ss1s
your hands very full and ten thousand favors
great deal Of patience. etc But matter which Is
OF some interest to ne and to the Republicans OF
armory here at Medina of Medina sandstone Yes
made and bid made by myself and Mr.. De Gran.
made Jointly, was the lowest OF any Of them except
bid was not Straight BID that is not I'D on ali
the matters to be furnished but by the method OF
De Graf and myself He isod has not furnished
we don't know the politics 81 Mr.. Whalen but
owners in this county who are Democrats. and Il
would be the laughing stock OF the entire county II
Of furnishing the stone and Democrat should get
a irst class quarry in this county and is leading
Republican and delegate 10 the next State Con-
p or 9G toeeh II wen rs GnsT tb sna
Of Fillins & De Graf.
very much interested in FiIkins De Gran getting
fsh to fry in connection with it
We need that armory 70 handle here in the poll
9 I'M; the QUESTION: IS Whether Ge done
having no interest in the politics Of this county
having interest in anything in this county should
pay a very large amount toward IL and also
whether the getting and furnishing the stone
the rest Of the matters connected with the arnory,
should be given to a lot Of Democrats, You know
for the politics than for the money there is in it.
snT can be 2seb e US and thnR You KNOW
49," ~ - S. E. FILKINs.
Senator PIatt's part in the affair. 1.-THE Journal
charges the writing of the following letter:
New-York. July 1s. 1900
Hon William J. Youngs. Executive Chamber. AL
NY Dear Youngs: I wish you would please
read carefqly the attached letters from my friends
F. Tgs and Irg w not 2o iet wRieh are
ropefy achieve the re result ' WHICH tBey seek but
sumably having Teiations With the oficiais con-
eerned can ind way to ace9mpSh IT. regard
sequence, and would Ike TO have you do what you
fa fbt the ,t interest Of thef T Psa
The reply Of Secretary Youngs. dated at Albany
July It. The Journal says was the following
letter:
Hon. T. c. Plat No. 40 Broadway, New-York
Ny Dear Senator: Yours Of the 10th inst, with
Enclosures Is just received. reincose the letters
TO you thinking you may wish to retain them
matter, and he tells me that he is Of the three
who compose the Board, the other two being Gen
eral McLeer, Of Brooklyn, and General Doyle, OF
Buffalo.
ocrat. do not know whether you can reach him
through Kreidenheimer not. The meeting IS TO
be held here tomorrow, at which these bids VIII
be considered.
afternoon. but found him out. He says that he has
consulted with Colonel Ellsworth three separate
occasions. and Mr.. LHommedieu two other
occasions in regard to this matter and If in way
he can consistently and properly under the law do
requested, he will Of course. be happy TO do so.
I will try see General McLeer tomorrow morn
ing
AS 10 the check being SUFFICIENT in amount, the
matter Will be submitted to the Acknowledgement
for report to-day.
viii be in 10 see you at the very first opportunity.
Faithfully yours, WILLIAM J. YOUNGS-
The article goes 20 say that on August q
the Armory Board threw out Whalen's bid. on the
ground that his check deposited in accordance with
the requirements OF law. was for 5000 instead OF
the proper amount. S2l2: and awarded the con-
tract TO Filkins & De Graft Whalen contends that
his check sufficient, declaring that It covered
per cent OF the contract price.
LAW NOT COMPLIED WITH.
INSUFFICIENT CHECK LOST CONTRACT FOR