The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-09-27
TESTIFY SULzER
URGED FRIENOST
SHIELD HIM
Asked Them to Forget The
Had Made Contributions
RICHARD CROCKER'S $4,000
Evidence That Check Was Cashed
by Governors Agent in Wall
Street.

Albany, Sept. 27.-Gov. William Sui
ger tried TO persuade contributors to
his campaign fund not to testify
against him, according to evidence
adduced at his impeachment trial
yesterday. He asked Duncan w.
Peck, state superintendent of public
works who gave $500 to the fund,
to violate his oath on the witness
stand in the event that he should
be called to testify before the Fraw-
ley investigating committee. Peck
swore. The governor, Peck asserted,
had told him that he too, wouit
deny having received contributions.
their conversation he said, occurred
in the governors office at the capt
toll The witness was examined by
John Stanchfield as to the precise
words used by the governo-.
what did he say?'
He said: DO as | shall do; deny
it,
What else was said, if anything
81 said. Il suppose | shall be UNI
der oath He said THAT is moth
ing. Forget it,
Attorney Human. cross-eXamining
for the defense, asked Peck if it were
possible that he could be mistaken
about a single word that passed be-.
tween him and the governor. Not a
wcrd," Peck replied emphatically.
Peck, at the time of the contribution
held his present position. but he tes-
tilted he told the governor there
''were no strings on the gift" and
that he did not feel that he was oblig-
ed to reappoint him. Peck was re-
appointed,
The governor asked Henry w. Nor
genthau, ambassador TO Turkey, who
contributed $1,000, TO be easy on
him" and to treat the affair between
us as personal in the event that he
should be called to testify. This.
Mr. Morgenthau swore to when re-
called as a witness yesterday. He
said that the request was made by
the governor over the long-distance
telephone on September last. The
governors attorneys gave indication
Of being completely confounded by
the testimony of these two witness
es. None OF them had the slightest
mixing. it was learned, that such ac-
cusatons were to be brought by the
attorneys for the Assembly managers
1t was further brought out that
Richard Croker ir.. son OF the for
mer leade, OF Tammany hall, had
contributed $4,000 check payable, at
the request of Sulzer. to the order of
],
ed by Frederick l.. Colwell. alleged
to have been the governors agent
in his Wall street transactions. This
was the first testimony adduced eth
err At the p-esent trial or before the
Frawley investigating committee di-
rectly connecting Colwell with the
governor in that capacity Croker tes-
tilted that the governor wanted the
check in a convenient form TO cash
IL Immediately. because he was in a
hurry TO start his campaign trip
tn ough the state. This was on
October l6. and it was developed that
Colwell did not cash the check until
October 81. The latter testimony
was given by William b. Houghton.
paying teller of the Equitable trust
COMPANY VI ANtN Olhs VIII Nhlu lildi
Cclwell was his sunday school teach
e..
Demand for Colwell's production
! yesterday brought out statement
| from the governors attorneys that
they expected to get in communica-
| ton with him last night or today. He
has been missing several weeks. The
| Croker check was one of several I'M
reported campaign contributions
which were the subject of testimony
| yesterday. John W. Cox. Thomas w.
Brady. John T. Dooling. J. Temple
Gwathmey, Luitpold Mendelbaum and
Judge Lewis J. Conan. all of New
/ York, testified that they had contri.
/ buted checks or cash in amounts
ranging from 500 TO $1,000. none of
which was mentioned in the COVER.
/ nor's sworn statement OF campaign
contribution.
At the opening Of yesterdays ses
sion, Attorney Kresel introduced in
evidence letters written last fall by
Sulzer TO William J. Elias and VII
liam Hoffman. both Of whom are iden
tilted with brewing interests and
both OF whom contributed 10 the fund
! turned over to Sulzer by former Sen.
ator Stadler. The governor thanked
! Hoffman TO- all you have gone in ms
behalf" The letter to Elias express
ed appreciation for your letter and
! inclOsure"
Judge Lewis J. Conlan Of New
YORK city told OF meeting Sulzer fn
the Manhattan club about election
limo and handing him a 500 check
nom Daniel NJ. Brady. 1T was a
contribution" the witness said. to
help him along in his campaign. ID
The witness said be had received &C