The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-17
ALDERMEN DENY
ALL KNOWLEDGE
Of BRIBERY

New York. Jan. i7-Nine members
OF the board OF aldermen were eN-
amined by the grand jury yesterday
in an Investigation or the alleged plot
TO buy votes In the election for re-
corder TO succeed John w. Con, which
the district attorney charges, was un-
earthed I'm the arrest OF Alderman
William s Clifford and David Mann, a
stone yard foreman, the alleged so
between.
The aldermen who appeared before
the grand jury were all elected on the
Municipal Ownership league ticket ana
they were subpoenaed for the purpose
OF explaining their action OF Tuesday
IN changing their votes at the board OF
aldermen meeting from eN-Judge Pal
mieri whom they had supported I'm a
body during the balloting at previous
meetings, 10 eX-Judge Rufus Il. Cow
ing.
The district attorney charges that
the shift I'm the vote occurred after the
alleged $4,000 doodle fund" was In the
hands OF a representative OF Alderman
clifford who Is accused or having
pledged. I'm consideration Of the money.
90 swing the Municipal ownership
league vote 10 Cowing.
The aldermen examined were Henry
! Clay Peters, Joseph FAN, William
Rowcroft. Thomas Mulligan, John b.
Cronin, O n Norman. William Torpey,
Charles Kuntge and +. J. o'Neil
All OF the aldermen stated before en-
tcring the grand jury room that they
knew nothing OF the events leading to
the arrest OF clifford and Mann, and
that Lo attempt whatever had leen
M Idc to T'bc them.
Alderman Peters. the leader OF tho
Municipal ownership league men, said
az. 81, .-,,,.- --.o. .,,,.h..t--r t.- ....t
al
Ownership league, that negotiations
had been under way for two weeks,
was never considered IN his talks with
ether members He said his colleagues
were sincerely supporting Judge PAL
mieri and voted for Judge Cowins
yesterday merely TO test the sincerity
OF the Republicans and in the hope
OF breaking their ranks.
The grand jury did not conclude its
investigation. Aldermen Peters and
Torpey were resubpoenaed TO appear
for further examination tomorrow.
Earl Harding, the newspaper reporter
who, under the name OF Haskell" is
alleged 20 have given marked money
TO Mann. will be examined tomorrow.
Clifford. who was arrested on a
charge OF accepting $4,000, with which
TO try TO influence his colleagues tn
vote as directed, was arraigned In
police court today and held in $40 600
for further examination on Jan p.
Bail was furnished,
Man is still In custody OF the dis
trict attorneys office and has not vet
been locked UP. An affidavit setting
forth his part in the alleged transac-
tion between clifford and "Haskell'
has been submitted 10 the district at
torney District Attorney Jerome last
night said:
II am satisfied with the inquiry as
far as it has proceeded. ] am con-
Vinced that AZ least two OF the alder
men and perhaps more OF them knew
all about the deal and that they Were
! holding out on the others, who know
nothing at all OF what was going or
| In the Doodle line"
| Asked II any OF the aldermen oS'
amined by the grand Jury had con
| fessed or lncriminated their fellows
: District Attorney Jerome said that ht
] would not answer the question, bu
| added that their statements did no
! agree.