New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-21
A PERPLExING TRANSACTION.

days session the real import of the transactions
remained unshown.
PERPLEXING TRANSACTION
single transaction indicates the perpIexing
character of the case. In December 1905 $I5,-
600 was paid TO the order of Mr.. Hamilton at
the direction of President Mccall For this Mr..
HamiIton's personal check was held by the New
York Life until January and the amount was
returned to the State Superintendent of Insur-
ance as cash" In the mean time Mr.. Hami-
toms bank account in Albany showed the
had been deposited and withdrawn before Janu-
ary l. Some time in January the item trans
ferred to a real estate account Mr.. Hamton's
check was returned and the money is still out
standing. Mr. Hughes sought to make this ap-
pear deliberate attempt to make false return
to the Superintendent Of Insurance, and give It
the character of the famous transaction by
which Mr.. Perkins declared he had sold to him
self the SSO0OOO bonds of the Navigation syndi-
cate, but Mr.. Mccall denied this charge stead
lily. Moreover. TO the end Mr.. Mccall insisted
with impressive earnestness that he knew of no
occasion on which the money OF the New-York
Life. either that used by Mr.. Hamilton or any
other fund had been employed to influences
legislation
For campaign fund contributions Mr.. Mccall
took full responsibility. He declared that he had
considered
regarding such a contribution and did not care
what they were.
Il did it on my own hook" was his sweeping
declaration. He defended the contributions TO
the last three Republican national campaigns.
but insisted they were contributions TO Sths gold
platform"
Nearly all Of the half days session was de-
voted to the Hamilton accounts. Mr.. HaniIton's
free rein depending Of course on the absolute
control possessed by Mr.. Mccall, was clea-Iy.
brought out 1t shown that Mr.. Hamilton
received upward of 100000 annually from ths
New-York Life, and that in single case that
against the State for 100000 back taxes, DE-
cded in favor of the insurance company by the
Court of Appeals. but not yet settled MT Ham
ilton was to receive one-third.
MR. HUGHES IRRITATED.
For the first time in the sessions OF the COM
nittee Mr.. Hughes showed traces of irritation
at the apparent Teticence of the witness AMI
subjected him to a fierce and searching FIRE OF
questions many of which had a distinct note
of sarcasm.
IT'S as clear as the MONDAY sunlight said
Mr. Mccall, explaining some unintelligibIs
transaction involving the $4,000.
DO you mean the MONDAY sun to-dayTs
sneered Mr.. Hughes pointing TO the overcast
sky through open window. This note Of bit
terness characterized the whole proceeding, AMI
under it Mr.. Mccall grew restive. replied vita
feeling and paused frequently to mop the per-
spiration from his brow. His son. John 9, Nc
Call. whose large salary has been the subjees
of much comment. sat behind him and supplied
documents and made suggestions at times
For the first time since the committee bossa
work the proceedings were interrupted by the
spectators. The session was held in the room
OF the Board of Estimate and ApportionmenL
When Mr. Mccall made an impassoned defence
OF his contributions to Republican nat'onai com
mittees and an equally sarcastic arraisnme't
Of the platform and party of Bryan and Psrkec
the sound of clapping was heard IN dinerea-
parts of the room. Joined with some energetii
Kissing This caed forth sharp rebuke fFona
= chairman Armstrong who declared another
such outbreak would result in his ordering tbs
room to be cleared.
! District Attorney Jerome sat with the COM
nittee during portion of the session. This was
his first appearance with the committee Hs
said that he would later make a public state