The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-31
BRIBERY IN JERSEY HOUSE ?
THE PRINTED ACCUSATION
CAUSES AN CPROAR.

The House Goes Into Committee OF the
Whole aud Examines the Men Concerned
In the PublicatiOn--It Reports Failure
10 Find Any Basis for the Charge.
TRENTON, n. j., March SO.-The session
Of the New Jersey Legislature had a sensa-
tional finish tonight az the result Of the
House undertaking to probe certain news
paper charges that some Of it's members
had been brbed 10 vote for the bill abandon
ing the Morris Canal Several Of the news
papers, and particularly the True american
Of this city, had made more or less specific
charges that the passage OF the bill had been
accomplished by buying votes.
IL was asserted that a State official, not
named, had paid out the money. that the
preliminary payment was $500 per vote,
with the understanding that $500 additional
would be paid should the bill become a
law, and that votes in the Senate were
being negotiated for at from 5000 to
S. 600 each
Leader Dufield Of the majority in the
House, who ohampioned the bill, demanded
a thorough investigation OF the allegations.
At his instance the House went into com
mittee Of the whole, and the sergeant-at-
L. Mar Of the True American before the
bar Of the House.
Mr. Mar declining the prefer Of counsel,
told Of his connection with the newspaper,
in the active management Of which he has
not participated for two months, owing TO
illness H. b. Reilly. the news editor. testi-
fed that the article TO which particular
exception was taken was written by Harry
B. Conover upon information secured by him
and furnished 70 the office.
Mr.. Conover told the House that he had
heard reports Of bribery from various
sources He declined to state whence
they came until hard pressed by the COM
nittee, when as one source he named Fred
Ege, Legislative correspondent for the
Hoboken Observer. He added that the
rlmors had been freely handed about the
corridors. Mr.. Eye was called and an
nounced that he was represented by Cor
poration Counsel George l.. Record
He admitted more or less specific knowl-
edge a. to the persons alleged 10 have
offered brides and Of one or two members
VINO had been approached but refused
point blank 10 divulge the source Of his
information, claiming that II was privileged
and could not be divulged without breach
OF confidence.
Late tonight the committee Of the whole
reported 20 the House that II had failed 10
find any basis for the published charges
and that under the conditions il considered
further investigation along the proposed
lines TO be useless.
The House adopted resolution referring
10 the prosecutor Of the county the records
Of the proceedings with a view Of having
the matter considered by the next Grand
Jury. This closed the incident, except for
the later adoption Of a resolution intro
duced by Assemblyman Colby Of Essex
providing for an investigation o. the laws
Of other States and OF this State relative 20
bribery.
The affair proved a knockout blow 10 the
canal bill, which was indefinitely tabled
when IL came before the Senate tonight
Both houses will ait without intermis-
sion until final adjournment. which will
take place some time during the early morn
ing hour.