New-York tribune., 1907-01-17
"C4N'T BUY US"-PETERS.
alderman Says ". o. l.. Men Dick
cred, but Not for WOneY.

Alderman Henry Clay Peters In a statement YES
terday declared he the only one authorized 10
make any negotiations for the Municipal Owner
ship aldermen and that no time since the fight
for the Recordership began had he heard any talk
Of money considerations. Ex-Judge Palmierf he
said. the choice OF his faction and the vote for
ex-Judge Cowng was simply test of the sincerity
81 the Republicans.
He admitted he had been negotiating concerning
the votes Of the Municipal Ownership men, but
that only political considerations had been brought
up. The first he had heard OF the arrest of Alder
man Clifford through the morning papers he
said.
Alderman Sullivan declared that the Tamnanv
men would stick 10 Justice McAvoy TO the last.
Whether the board would go on voting next Tues
day. under the circumstances. he did know.
Most OF the aldermen yesterday were indig-
nant at the discredt that has been on the
board
Alderman Peters's statement follows:
The first knowledge that I had OF the arrest OF
papers my breakfast table. Immediately pro-
seeded TO the grand jury room, arriving there at
last two hours. awaiting to be called;
hoa Inc members OF the indspendense League In the
was authorized TO make any negotiations for them
last weeks, but l have not been abba to maks
s s up to @ this time At no
tered into any OF the talk that have mad with the
be purchased for than the total price that is
said 10 have been paid or our whole delegation.
chased In ali OF my negotiations witG the opposi
ton leaders only political considerations were con
sdered or would be considered by me under any
the Independence League members of the Board
acS of Judge Pae Whe PRey 6eeSe tes n be
the peer of any Of the candidates thus far men
merely to test the sincerity Of the RepSbicans and
hopeful that we might break their ranks. No one
zee lie League alderman monetary con-
not penny suggested for our support OF
Judge Cowing His name was suggested by the
from from Meyers Meyer ''''D "'''0 mercy ''''"
l have not seen Alderman Clifford as VET and
viii not reply to any of his reported statements
ps1dence League coleasues are all men OF honor.
sdered in any OF our tsIks OF nancsa @ e Yer ou5
not dare 10 offer them such a proposition. and
proposition to
have been the ere, recognized leader of our faction
for some time Why did not the would-be bribers
come 10 me with their offer? think the kernel
of the whole proposition lies in the answer ~ my
question.
The statement by Alderman Peters does aot ex-
plain number of significant features of the
bribery story. 1t is fact that the Hearst alder
men went into caucus three or four times imme-
diateiy prior - the first OF the year on the re-
cordershp matter. and finally determined to sup
port ex-Justce John Palmieri FOR Recorder This
action was decided on after conference with Will
lam r. Hearst and other influential members of
the Independence League. On all the baIlotng
they have stood almost sodly for Palmieri II
was not until after money said to have been
promised 10 Clifford that there was a quick shift
In the situation.
There was no caucus on Judge Cowing's mama
Mr. Cowing Is a Republican. Probably some OF
the Hearst men did not know that Cowfng's name
was TO be sprung but 1t is altogether likely that
some OF the more influential of them did Rumors
have been In circulation the City Hall for four
or hve days that there would be no election Of a
recorder until some mon had been seen
Little Tim Sullivan had been working with tho
Hearst men. and had understanding with Soma
OF tnem that they were To swing to McAvoy Mr.
SuIIIvan held out glowing promises of futlre no
nloaI s reward II the Hearst men would fall in line
tential offer than Little TINS rainbows Of hopa
CHnord was nominated a Republican, IN a
neavy Democratic district in Long Island Civ and
was indorsed by the Hearst people n. ws.. nut nut
up 70 catch the Hearst vote. and he aid IL In or
sanizinS the board year ago the Hearst men vvsnt
INTO caucus with the Republicans giving the Re
puoncans p, controI and enabling them name the
committees Ssinord In every other respect has
consistently been Hearst man. He worked and
voted Tor Hearst last fall and became hound hv [
caucus @ rule when the Hearst decided to sup
Yesterday tried to give the impression that Clifford
was Republican or a Mcclellan man. He was !
Hearst man. being so regarded by every member /
or the board. O-
Aldermen John r. Davies and Max 8 C;riren-
hasen, Republicans, and much Interested In The /
eiectioh or Alderman James Cowdin Meyers on /
lussoay called on William r. Hearst at his home
ana tried to get him to swing the Hearst men to 1
MT Meyers. Mr.. Davies Is chairman OF the FL /
nance Committee of the hoard. and Knowing that !,
: Little Tim sullivan was trying get the Hearst
airy work In the interest of Meyers. Mr.. Hearst |
would not consent to support Meyers but said thar
ne would consider proposition to combine either /
on dssnert h Limbers. Melvin G. PallissI