The Topeka state journal., 1905-09-20
TO BEAT SILVER.
John A. Mccall, President of
New York Life,
Explains Campaign COntribu-
tions of 1896 and 1900.
DIFFERENT IN 1904.
Money Was Given Then for
Good of Policy Holders.
District Attorney Jerome Was
Present at the Hearing.

been paid by the New York Life Insur-
ance company, to Andrew A. Hamilton
of Albany, that no accounting for this
money has been made except to Presi-
dent John A. Mccall verbally and that
Hamilton attends sessions of the legis-
lature at Albany in the interest of the
New York Life Insurance company
was brought out today by testimony
given by Mr.. Mccall before the legis-
lative insurance investigation commit
tee. Mr.. Mccall said that the various
sums making up the $235000 paid to
Hamilton had been given him in connec-
ton with different real estate deals
but Mr.. Hughes after questioning de-
Veloped the fact that none of the money
had been actually applied to such deals.
Mr.. Mccall also said that Mr.. Hamil-
ton was allowed money for expenses at
Albany and that Hamilton's accounts
were not subject to audit Mr.. Mccall
denied that he gave Mr.. Hamilton
money to insure any members of the
legislature. The $235,000 Mr.. Mccall
by Mr.. Hamilton on demand of the in
surance company.
IF it is not said NJ. Mccall. I'm
responsible and I'll pay it,
Hamilton received for legal services,
he said about 100000 a. year generally.
On the subject of the insurance COM
pany's campaign contributions in recent
years, Mr.. Mccall said they were given
for the purpose of defeating the silver
platform and for the support of the
party.
AS to the contributions to Republican
fund in 1904, Mr.. Mccall said he did not
care how many of the policy holders
agreed with his action. He made the
contribution honestly, believing it is
Just to the policy holders
did you really think that in 1904,
the interests of the policyholders were
SO endangered the company ought to
contributor ?'' asked Mr.. Hughes.
Il did think so when the men who
had twice voted for Bryan as a candi-
date on a platform framed by COM
nlittee that had by a majority of two
to one rejected the gold standard. NY
life was made. weary by Democrats
that year chasing me for money
Their shadows were across mine every
move I made
District Attorney Jerome was a spec
tator of the proceedings today for the
first time. He said he expected to make
point to attend the investigations in
the future.
Mr.. Mccall said he himself was the
sole judge of what checks had been is
sued and taken up. The 100000 in
checks sent to Albany Mr.. Mccall said
in answer to Mr.. Hughes he gave to
Hamilton. He said that in 1908, the
company determined to buy the block
in the rear of the home office this city.
He sent for a. real estate agent to take
up the subject quietly; the New York
Life Insurance company was not to be
known in the transaction. In December,
1908, the real estate man reported he
thought the block could be procured
for 81 100000 and that Is per cent of
this should be available quickly.
Il told him. said Mr.. Mccall, "that
would put him in touch with Judge
Hamilton and pursuant to that 1 or
dered the two checks in question drawn
The vouchers will show what they were
drawn for.
He procured the vouchers and identi-
fed them. One was the compfroller's
warrant and the other Mr.. HamiIton's
receipt. The words For temporary use''
on one of the vouchers, Mr.. Mccall said
meant that the money was to be used
for the purpose decided and to be re-
paid back to the board. He said the
$100 900 had been accounted for by Mr.
Hamilton. Mr.. Mccall here waited to
make an explanation but Mr.. Hughes
counsel to the investigation committee
wanted the account as reported.
The account. the witness said, was
rendered orally to Mr.. Mccall at his
office. He said Mr.. Hamilton had PAID
out 100000 on the Elm street property
and that there is still 1926, 900 unexpend-
ed. The checks were produced. They
were nine in number, four to the order
OF JOHn N. NTOlOll1Sy the real estate
broker, and five to the order of Andrew
A. Hamilton. These Mr.. Mccall said
were checks that had been paid on the
property bounded by Elm, Worth,
Leonard and Center streets, New York,
in 1903.
Mr. Hughes was insistent that the
report made by Hamilton as to the
position of the 100000 should be pro-
duced.
HAS this money been accounted
for?" he asked Mr.. Mccall.
''It has, Mr.. Hughes
"Please procure the account"
ut was given me personally in my
Office
''Please produce the exact amount"
repeated Mr.. Hughes.
''It was given me personally in my
Office" again said Mr.. Mccall.
Senator Armstrong broke in. ''You
mean verbally %
Eyes, verbally. The 100000 has
not all been expended"
Mr. Hughes then took up every one
of the real estate transactions of the
company in enlarging the home offices.
Each one Mr. Mccall was questioned
plot each of the nine checks was placed.
The plots of land bought and payments
for each having been identified Mr..
Hughes said there was still the $100, 900
in Mr. Hamilton's hands. Mr.. Hughes
wanted to know why the New York
Life Insurance company should leave
such a sum in the hands of Mr. Han1il-
ton Mr.. Mccall said the purpose was
to enable Mr. Hamilton to be in a posi-
ton to supply any moneys Mr.. Golding
might require.
''But Mr.. Hamilton did not pay Mr..
Golding any money" said Mr. Hughes.
mo. he did not need any,
Checks for $4,000 paid to Mr. Hanil-
ton in December. 1903. were $50 pro-
duced. They. too did not come before
the finance committee or any officers
of the company except Mr.. Mccall. who
ordered the signatures of the treasurer
and assistant treasurer affixed. These