The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-16
n. Y. ALDERMAN
ACCUSED OF
TAKING BRIDE

New Yorzy Jan. 16.--In the arrest OF
Alderman william S. Clifford and David
Mann. foreman of the stone yard, on
charges OF bribery, in connection with
tho election OF recorder OF the general
sessions court. the district attorneys
office alleges that 1t yesterday un-
covered a plot by which III aldermen
were TO have been approached TO sell
their votes for recorder for $500 each.
According to the district attorneys
office, $4,000 In marked bills was found
on Mann. who IL accused OF being the
go-between. II is alleged that Clifford
accepted a bribe OF $4,000, in return
for which he was TO deliver the votes
OF himself and 10 other aldermen for
ex-Judge Rufus B. Cowing for !e-
corder.
The district attorneys office declares
that Judge cowing knew nothing OF the
attempt that would be made 10 induce
aldermen 10 support him.
Il IS charged that "A man name1
Harding met Clifford and Mann at
hotel today. IL was agreed, 1t was al
legged that Mann hold the $4,000 bribe
money, which Harding had for the pur-
chase of the votes until Clifford and
his colleagues delivered the goods" at
the meeting OF the board of aldermen,
which has been balloting for sc yeTal
DAYS for a recorder.
Detectives from the district attor-
ney's office saw and heard the whole
transaction, they allege. from a place
OF concealment. Shortly after this al
legged meeting Mann was placed un,ler
arrest. He professed innocence of in
side information concerning the trans
action. and offered TO aid the officers
I'm mating further arrests.
According to the district attorneys Of
fee. Clifford met Mann at another place
later in the day and took the 5000 for
payment to the alderman. whom Clifford
said had delivered the bargained votes.
The detectives again saw but were not
seen. they charge. and promptly appre-
hended Alderman Clifford.
Clifford was later arraigned in police
court and held i'm $4,000 bail for further
examination.
II was said that several additional ar
rests in connection with the alleged brib-
cry would be made In a short time.
1t Is alleged that Earl Harding. news
paper reporter. charged that the votes OF
certain aldermen could be bought, and
laid the matter before the district attor-
ney. Harding was given the marked
money to carry the deal through.
David Mann, the alleged go-between, In
an affidavit submitted TO the district at
torney. declared that he was not In on
the deal himself and only acted in a
friendly capacity for Alderman Clifford.
lie added that he did not expect 10 get
Mann said further that he. Clifford and
man introduced to him as Harding
met at a saloon Monday and that Clifford
asked him (Mann) 10 hold a package un-
Ill tonight adding that Harding was
interested in the election OF Judge Cow
ing for recorder, and that he Cinord)
would have to see some other members
of the board OF aldermen. Meanwhile
Mann. according to his affidavit. was TO
hold the package until further notice
from Clifford. Mann concluded his sworn
II did not know how much money was
I'm the package and did not even know
that 1t did contain money l did not
get individually. but i did know that
Clifford was expected to receive some
money 10 influence their votes
Harding In his affidavit details con-
versation he alleges he had with Clifford
in which the latter agreed to swing the
il Municipal ownership league votes
Harding alleges that Clifford did ask,
receive and agree to receive brlbe and
money with the understanding that his
vote and of other officials should be in
nuenced thereby"
Unable TO procure bail. Clifford was
lodged In police station. Regarding his
arrest he said:
"They prepared this trap and tried TO
catch me. / did not receive a cent from
any attache over here In the criminal
court ASktd ABOUT the NbNV.
Clifford replied:
That was for business consideration.
i have received money from Mann he
fore. This Is not the first time ] have had
b close business relations with him"
Mann was allowed 10 go on parole In
custody OF the district attorney.
Subpoeuas were issued last night for a
number or aldermen TO appear at tho dis
trict attorneys office.
Aldermen Charles Kuntze, +. j. ONeil
aud William Rowcroft responded. All
were summoned TO appear before the
grand jury today All three OF the alder
men disclaim any knowledge OF the
events leading up to the arrest of Clifford
and Mann
AZ the meeting of the aldermen this af-
ternoon to ballot for recorder, former
Judge Rufus Il. Cowing's name was men
toned for the firsr time by Alderman
Clifford, Clifford had previously voted for
cx-Judge Palmierl. Ten other Municipal
Ownership league aldermen then changed
their votes from Palmieri to Cowlng The
Republicans remained loyal to Meyers
and the Democrats. as heretofore. voted
for McAvoy. 1t looked like another dead
lock. the only change being that former
Judge Cowings name had been substi-
tuted for that OF Palmieri's. The result
showed the following:
Meyers 2S votes. McAvoy IS and Cow
ing IL. a second ballot the Goth taken
since the voting began some days ago)
gave Meyers 30. Cowing 10.
At this juncture the meeting adjourned
for one week.