New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-16
ARREST MOL. ALDERMAN
CH4RGED WITH BRIBERY.
Trapped Into Taking 10000 for Re
corderslip Votes, 1t Is SAID.

Alderman William S. Clifford, Of the 9th Dis
er4ot, OF Queens. living at No. 3S7 Hancock
street Long Island City, was arrested on a
bribery charge yesterday afternoon by Deteo-
tive Bernard ]. Flood. Of District Attorney
Jerone's staH. and held by Magistrate Whitman
IN $4,000 bail Clifford VIII have a hearing at
go o'clock this afternoon in the West Side
police court
II lis alleged tha. Clifford had agreed to accept
q bribe to influence the votes of the Municipal
Ownership League aldermen. of whom Clifford
was one, in favor OF ex-Judgs Rufus B. Cowing
for Recorder. According 10 the detectives.
twelve marked $500 bills found Cliff
ford's person
The aldermen who voted for ex-Judge cowing
on the first ballot were:
william s Clifford. Queens lcqrnsltu, D. Noonan, Nam
,on @ crSni3 7-odeI1s MsHhstan fat5H g E. III. Bronx
nss Z ks s7:te a' 5sGaa Villa
tan Joseph M Torpey, Manhat-
Tfe1a; RSoas J. Aal'faa" 1n' 'aH'
When the second ballot was taken. Alderman
Joseph FaIk. Of the 66th District. of Brooklyn.
was out OF the room. The other ten voted for
Cowing.
With Clifford vas arrested David Mann.
foreman IN a stone yard at 1O3d street and
Second avenue. Manhattan. who acted. it is
charged as the go-between IN the transac-
the eleven other Municipal Ownership League
members Of the board 10 appear before the
grand jury to-day.
The arrests were made following a meeting
Of the Board Of Aldermen. when a vote
taken for Recorder to succeed Supreme Court
Justics Goff. The exposures were the result Of
e plan concocted by Earl Harding. reporter
The Morning World" 10, involve the Municipal
Ownership Aldermen
There had been deadlock in the Board of Al
dermen for ses-N weeks IN selecting Re-
corder, the contest being nearly tie vote be-
tween Alderman James Cowden Meyers and
Justice Francis s. McAvoy, OF the Court OF
Special Sessions.
HOW THE PLOT WAS BORN.
According TO Acting District Attorney -Smyth,
Mr.. Harding. the reporter was standing in tha
corridor Of the City Hall when he heard
say:
We've got a cinch hold on this matter"
Harding asked the speaker what he meant.
and the man repeated what he had said about
the ~cinch.' referring TO the deadlock
What VIII ft cogt?' asked Harding.
There's eleven men, at $500 each-thats
$500. And an extra $500 for the 'go-be-
tween is alleged TO have been the reply.
Harding told his Office what had happened.
He was advised 30 consult the District Attorney.
On Thursday afternoon Mr.. Jerome turned the
case over to Mr.. Smyth and Mr.. Murphy, of his
Office. Clifford to receive the money for
the eleven Municipal Ownership League men
mentioned by him, and then county detectives
were 10 arrest Clifford
Last Friday Harding says he saw Clifford. and
said:
I've got that money We want you 70 vote
for Judge Cowing for Recorder. Is it under
stood?"
Clifford is alleged 10 have replied that he
understood. but he added:
~ don't want to take any money from you.
IL introduce you 10 good friend OF mine ana
he'll take the money"
Harding said he arranged that no money was
10 fa maid until "fhe goods had been deliv-
cred
The reporter says he vent TO Long lsiahd
City and met David Mann who was introduced
as the "go-between.'
The Board OF Aldermen met yesterday aI'er-
noon There being quorum present tne Dali
ioting for Recorder was resumed
HOW THE VOTE STOOD YESTERDAY.
On the roIlcaIl ex-Judge Cowings name vas
naen.ionea eo- the first time by Alderman CHI
>ors Who had previously voted for ex-Judse
Psl,,,ieri TIE other Municipal Ownership
League aldermen then changed their votes Ioii,
Pa,roierI 10 cowing The Republicans remained
loyal 10 Meyers. and the Democrats as hereto
for. voted for McAyoy.
on the first Iollca of the day III looked nAs
another deadlock. the only change oehis ''a,
ex-Jodge cS.gng's name mac Deeh suos'i'u.s1 -
for that OF Palmicri The result showed the
following:
Meyers
sfcAr0v. 80 -
cosing. ........................ -
gixty-seyen aldermen voted More came In