The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-16

Ex-City Treasurer c. G. Boland was
the first witness called yesterday,
and continued the testimony began at
Mondays hearing In the bribery
cases against Councilmen f. J. Cole
man, Thomas O'Boyle. Edward James.
Il. II. Williams, 4. c. Melvin. John
McAndrew and p. +. McCann. He
testified that while Councilman Nc
Andrew never mentioned money
to him directly regarding the
passage of the ordinance, still he had.
by the use of slang expressions gent
ly intimated various things. He
said" MIR, Boland reluctantly admit
ted. "you fellows don't play balr or
something of that nature. l never
went into detail with him. nor asked
him to explain his meaning
Mr.. Boland continued the testimony
of Mondays hearing regarding the
loan made by the new telephone COM
pany to ex-Select Councilman Simon
Thomas. He declared that Wade Finn
told him that he heard Thomas was
being offered $500 to oppose the pass
age of the ordinance and Finn sug-
gested that it would be a good idea
to loan the councilman a like sum, as
he needed it to pay his liquor license.
II think" said the witness, that Mr..
Finn later told me that he sent Thomas
the money. Mr.. Finn did not tell me
where he got the money nor did I
ever afterward hear if it was re-
turned"
WOULD BE THE ELEVENTH.
Did you ever have any talk with
Mr.. McAndrew?" Nrr. Boland was
asked. II did" answered the witness,
and my understanding was that If
we had ten votes assured he would
make the eleventh. No, don't think
that McAndrew ever mentioned money
to me. He may have used slang"
and then followed the bit of testimony
given above.
Did you ever have any talk with
Councilman Richard Williams?" in
terrogated Mr.. Torrey.
Il did. | met him one evening in
the city hall and he said he wanted to
assist the new company but something
prevented him. He gave no intima-
tion of receiving any money. nor did
he say he was saving up for a Euro
pean trip" this last being brought
forth by question anent the trip from
Mr.. Torrey.
The witness admitted that he had
heard something at the time of cabal
of councilmen, but had no recollection
of his company receiving any intima-
ton that they could reach them. He
was then examined in the subject Of
the Barber Asphalt company's repair
contract, and the methods by which
1t went through councils.
You We're present when Mayor
Bailey hesitated to accept some money
from Mr.. Mckinney, were you not?"
asked Mr.. Torrey, and the witness
after little thought replied, II was in
my office the last day of my term,
busted with work, and while there,
there was talk about Mayor Bailey's
signing that contract. l was opposed
to it. 1t was rumored then that he
was given money to sign 1t. Mr.. Nc
Kinney was about the building, but
not in my office.
SAW NO MONEY.
The mayor was in my Office for
awhile to straighten up his accounts.
He may have used some expression
about Mckinney trying to give him
scme money, but saw none pass be-
sHeen the two that morning."
Did you see any pass between them
at any time?" interrupted his inquisi-
tor.
Not any money" was the quick
response.
"A check?" was Mr.. Torrey's rapid
fire retort. and the witness answered.
Il once Isaw Mr.. Finn accept a paper
which i was afterward told was a
check. in my office, from either Mr.
Mckinney or Mr.. Rock, I'm not sure
which,"
Mr.. Torrey here reverted to the im-
portant question of the day before,
and asked Mr.. Boland n he had any
more definite recollection than on
Monday of the matter of Simon
Thomas, whereat the witness replied
that Wade Finn, although not finan-
ciaily interested in the company, was
anxious to assist in the passage of
the ordinance, and had informed him
that he heard Mr.. Thomas was offered
$500 by the Bell company to oppose
granting franchise to the new COM
pany. Mr. Finn wanted to hold
Thomas, and thought $500 loan
would be an effectual means of hold
ing Witness personally was against
any using of bribes, and this $500 was
10 DE entirely as loan. Witness in
formed his brother and General Mana
ger Wayland regarding the matter,
Witness positively asserted that he
himself did not advance the money 10
Finn TO give Thomas. but could, not
say that he did not give Finn some
money. as Finn was for three years
IN the treasurer's office with him. and
he may have advanced him some
funds.
WILLIAM BOLAND ON THE STANr,
William Boland was next mt
on the stand. Il. r. Sturges
OF the Municipal League re-
marked that II was the first time in
ton years that he had examined a
witness. and then took charge of Mr.
BOland,
The latter told of his connection with
the Lackawanna company three years
ago, and mentioned that the tele-
phone ordinance was defeated at first
by accident on account OF Mr. Robin
son, the eleventh man." being twice
kept from council meetings by ILL
ness. II finally came up and was de-
feated, Mr.. Coyne. who had been sup
porting II, voting against 1t, Mr.. Bo-
land told of his going to Mnooka for
Coyne and bringing him up to the
meeting, only to have him abscond to
the enemy Witness subsequently met
Coyne and on telling him that he had