New-York tribune., 1906-06-27
COLER DENIES CHARGES
attorney General Hears Case
against Borough President.

Attorney General Mayer heard yesterday at
his office the charges against Borough President
Coler. in which 1t is alleged that Mr.. Coler made
promises prior TO his election in violation of the
law He was also charged with saying that he
would make no appointment unless satisfactory
to ex-senator Coffey the leader of the indie
pendent Brooklyn Democracy.
The charges were preferred by James S. Tay-
Tor and James A. Healey. Although not law
complainants. W. NJ K. Olcott acted counsel
for Mr.. Coler
Edward j. Cough, the first witness said the
alleged promises were made at a meeting of the
Brooklyn Democracy In the Temple Bar Build
Ing, Brooklyn At this meeting he testified that
Mr. Coler said he Gin the race to beat Sen
ator McCarren." Continuing the witness said
that Mr.. Coler, replying to a question about
patronage" said that that could be left 10 him
and Senator Coffey"
Under examination. Mr.. Cough said that Mr.
Coler indorsed by the BROOKLYN Democracy
after the meeting. Witness said that he didn't
understand Mr.. Coler was making a CORRUPT
bargain or doing something In violation of the
law There were twelve persons present at the
meeting he said
The next witness was Frank Belford. an en-
ploye in the Brooklyn Surrogate's office who
also testified that Mr. Coler said he was "only
In IT TO beat McCarren.' Asked If he had ap-
Piled TO the Borough President for the appoint
ment as Highways Commissioner he said that
he had not, but had asked him to let him name
the man.
Ex-senator Coffey testified that he had met
Mr.. Coler by appointment and that the latter
had told him that he would like to get the In
dorsement of the Brooklyn Democracy and the
German-American League. Witness said that
he had told Mr.. Coler that he afraid that
the members would think he was too close to
Willoughby Street" Senator Coffey testified
that Mr.. Coler said he would not make any ap-
pointments unless satisfactory to him. Witness
said that Mr.. Coler made no promises to him.
Albert Keck. q member of the German Ameri-
can League. testified that his organization had
sent out circulars favoring Mr.. Coler after the
meeting Asked If his organization would have
opposed Mr.. Coler had he not made the alleged
promises. the witness replied, I'VE might"
Your Organization is in the game for what
it is worth?' was asked.
That's it. We're not In it for fun replied
80 you would just as soon vote for a Republi-
can or q Hottentot you would for Democrat
so long as you get promise OF patronage"
asked Mr.. Mayer.
That's IT. We're independent" said Mr. Keck
Mr.. Healey. one OF the complainants. testified
that Mr.. Coler had said he would give "one-half
the patronage Of his office If he received the
support of the two organizations mentioned.
The witnesses memory was faulty, and he
not positive under examination that Mr.. COler
had said "one-half-
James A Taylor. another of the complainants
sprang a surprise when he said that he had
signed the affidavit, but had not read it. After
the affidavit had been read Mr. Mayer asked the
witness II he would now swear TO Ii. Mr.. Taylor
replied that he would not. Other names signed
to the afiavit were read. but the persons did not
respond.
Mr.. Coler then took the stand, and denied all
of the allegations. The hearing then closed
Mr.. Mayer said that he would report TO the
Governor in a few days The feeling in the
court was that the charges could not be sus-
tained.