The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-02-09
BRIBERY INQUIRY.
SeRatOrAldS Faces Charges
In N. Y. Legislature.
CONGER PRESENT AS ACCUSER
Backs Up His Assertion That Re-
publican Leader Took $1,000
For Holding Up Bridge
Contract Legislation.
CONGER PRESENT AS ACCUSER

Albany. N Y. Feb. S.-The investi-
CATION of the sensational charges Of
Senator Benn Conger against Senator
Jotham T.. Aids. the Republican ma
jority leader, opened today, with the
senate sitting in judgment as commit
tee of the whole.
At the request of Superintendent of
Buildings Cahill the chief of police
had a platoon Of men on duty to
guard the senate galleries and keep
the crowd of spectators in order.
Senator Conger and Senator Aids
were both present. with their counsel
and the former backed up his accusa
tion that on April %. 1901, Senator
Aids received in Conger's presence at
the capitol here $1,000, which he had
demanded as Il bribe to hold up bridge
contract legislation.
Perhaps Senator COngers face was
a half shade paler than usual as the
voice of Senate Clerk Clemson was
heard reciting the words that indicat-
ed the investigation had actually be-
gun. Perhaps the demeanor of Uncle
10 Aids was a trifle less buoyant and
assertive, as he realized that at last
the time had come when he was to be
put through a test that would concern
his good standing among his fellow
men for all time. But that was all
There was the same calm. determined
set to the Aids jaws; there was the
same steady glow in Conger's eyes.
He insisted again today that those
fellows amt got me-" but that he
couldn't discuss the reasons that
prompted this very firm conclusion.
I'm leaving It all to my counsel"
said Aids.
The record book kept by the clerk Of
the committee on internal affairs of
the assembly of 1901 was found tuck
ed away in a cubbyhole in the assem-
bly, library and was produced at the
inquiry. This is the book which coun-
sci for Senator Conger made so much
fuss about last week, insinuating it
had been stolen by friends of Senator
Aids.
The Conger side claimed today that
as a result Of mandamus granted by
Supreme Court Justice Chester they
have got access to records of the for
est, fish and game department show
ing that Aids while a member of the
legislature received more than SIT 900
from the state as an attorney.
Also they claim that they will show
these fees to be exorhitant and the
payment i'll advised and extravagant
on the part Of the state.
The friends of Aids in denying the
truth Of these claims argue also that
there is no chance of bringing any
such facts, if they exist, before the
senate at the inquiry, because they do
not relate to the actual charges.
Whether or not such collateral mat
ter can be brought out and got in the
record Of the proceedings through
skillful cross examination of witnesses
remains TO be seen.
Another charge that will be attempt
ed To be brought out against Aids is
that Aids because of his hold on the
forestry board appropriated a large
tract of Adirondack land on which he
has 'squatted' and for years has main
pointed camps in that region"
Aids as attorney for the state. il is
said, passed upon the titles of lands
which the Raquette Falls company
bought or sold TO the state The Con-
ger evidence alleges that in November.
1908, while Whipple was forestry, fish
and game commissioner and Speaker
James W. WadswOrth and Comptrol-
Ter Martin Glynn acted as members of
the forest purchasing board, the Ra-
quette Land company forced upon the
state S,994 acres, actually worth about
% cents an acre, for $7.25 an acre,
The Raquette company got $4,000 for
property appraised at less than S15.-
600, thus making a profit Of about
$4,000.
AS chairman of the senate commit
tee on finance Aids, it is charged, or
dered the appropriation made to pay
the Raquette company the $G5OOO
The Conger attorneys will try TO show
the Raquette company could get three
times the price for the same character
of land that any other corporation or
individual could.
In 1901, il is alleged, Assemblyman
William B. Harris of Hamilton county
sold TO the state 9,427 acres OF land at
SCI, ,S43. Aids, then chairman of the
assembly committee on ways snd
means. was also special counsel for
the Woodruff Middleton -Babcock for
estry board. Woodruff and his associ-
ates selected the land. Aids as coun-
sci passed upon the title