The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-06-12
WRIGHT TELLS Of
500 OFFER BY
PHONE TO BRAY.
Latter Retains Counsel at Sec
Ond Session of Self-Invited
Investigation.
IS CROSS-EXAMINED
BY CITY COUNSEL
First Ward Alderman Faces
Fourteenth Ward Man and
Tells of Conversation.

James A. Rray's s~elf-invited investiga-
tion last night in the Council cham
Der along several points. One was his
vigorous cross-examination by City
Counsel James R, Nugent. another the
appearance of Louis j. Beers as legal
defender of the accused alderman. and
the third the testimony of Alderman
Joseph A. Wright, who figured so con-
spicuously in the invitation TO the al
derman to all at the Hotel Broad and
receive 500 for work" in connection
with the stationery bid of the W. H.
Shurts Company.
Wright Gives Testimony.
Alderman Wright was sworn after
the cross-examination of Alderman
Bray by Mr.. Nugent and his examina-
ton on general points by his W eoun-
sci. Mr.. Beers. In addition to several
newspaper men. who were questioned as
to previous testimony on minor points,
the nights witnesses were: Former
School Commissioner William E. Tuite.
Alderman Elmer E. Mount. Clerk Amos
B. Pierce. of the committee on roads
and assessments of the Board of Free
holders; City Document Clerk James
c. Taylor. secretary of the committee
on stationery and printing. which
turned down Mr.. Nugent's opinion on
the overbalanced bids; Alderman
Oliver H. Cairns and James Shape;
John C~avanaugh. night clerk of the
city clerks office. and Genaro Russo.
night elevator nan in the City Hall.
The next hearing will probably in
ciude several minor witnesses and Mr..
Beerss plea for his client
Another Hearing Due.
Il was well toward midnight when
the last witness had been dismissed.
There was q long silence in the big
Council chamber. with its crowded
spectators benches. After an informal
conference with Aldermen MCGOWAN
and Sinnott. Alderman Congleton put
through a motion for adjournment. sub
ject 10 the call of the chair. 1t is
planned TO hold another meeting next
Friday night. To keep the expenses
down, but two copies of the evidence
are being made by the stenographer.
these being left in the custody of City
Clerk Connolly. At the next meeting
two or three minor witnesses will prob
dOiE uE 0dllEdr dllu MI. oSEIS SiNGA
an opportunity to be heard in his
clients behalf.
When Chairman Charles H. Gaffeney,
following the roll call. asked the city
counsel if he desired TO cross-examine
Bray. Mr.. Nugent replied:
II requested on Tuesday night to
have the right to c-ross-examine for one
single purpose. 1 don't propose to pit
myself against Bray. 1t would naturally
be supposed l was using my legal
knowledge against his inexperience.
His story as told Tuesday night stands
for itself. I didn't ask for this investi-
cation. What's between Bray and my
self is one thing. The Council saw fit
to investigate and I am agreeable"
Asked whether the language in a
Sunday newspaper attributed to him
was true, in which the SANDER suit was
threatened, Alderman Bray admitted
when his cross-examination was taken
up that that was so. Then he added:
"I will state that you did place your
hand on me and you said, Get out of
here. you dirty rat. If you don't get
outside 1 will chuck you out"
Then the account in the Sunday |
newspaper is correct?' asked Mr.. Nj
GBnt.
~Yes, SIR"
"And your testimony of the other
night is Incorrect"
Yes, sir"
did you ever have any difficulty
with Mr.. Nugent?' asked Mr.. Beers.
Eyes, sir; years ago, in the Fifth
Ward"
Alderman Congleton-We should only
investigate the official conduct of the
Alderman. When he was in the Fifth
Ward he was not an Alderman. The
only question is whether, as Alderman,
he conducted himself properly. not
whether he did so as a politician. Any
facts that will tend to show the truth
of these charges or their falsity l am
perfectly willing to have brought out.
but we should not go into matters of
political differences.
Mr.. Beers-My object is to show the
relations between the parties and see
II any feeling existed between them. If
Mr.. Nugent had any particular feeling
against Mr.. Bray there may be reason
why one man was singled out as he
was. I think it is very important
when the standing and integrity Of a
mar who is part of the Aldermanic
body is attacked. and the question
whether there was not a feeling against
him, perhaps for opposing the organiza-
ton. should be allowed.
Alderman Congleton-We are simply
concerned with the fact whether that
man went up to get 800, or made ar
rangements to get it, and we should
not take up what the differences be-
tween Mr.. Bray and Mr.. Nugent were.
Mr.. Beers Ito Mr.. Bray)-It was stat
ed by you that you received a tele-
phone message from some one on May
4. State that conversation as near as
you can remember.
Alderman Congleton-Mr. Bray has
stated the conversation frequently.
Mr.. Beers-I don't hin I should be
shut off.
Mr.. Congleton-We don't want to sit
here and go over this thing again. We
ave had it three times already as to
what that conversation was.
Mr.. Bray was finally allowed to pro-
coed. and said:
THE morning in question I received
a telephone message between 10 and II
O'clock, when a party called me up and
asked me to meet him in some place IN
Broad street I don't rerDember. I asked
where the place was, and somebody
says it was the Hotel Broad, and I
said I was going on an inspection and