Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-01-23

New York, January 21: William
Sulzer testified under oath today that
Charles F. Murphy, Tammany leader,
threatened to wreck his administra-
ton as governor Of New York If he did
not appoint James e. Gaffney COM
missioner of highways. He said he had
declined to make the appointment af-
ter United States Senator James A.
O'Gorman told him that Gaffney was
Murphy's chief bagman," and that
Gaffney had attempted to hold up
James o. Stewart, a state highway
contractor and client Of the senator
for 100000, land that to appoint him
would be a disgrace to the state or
New York" Sulzer's testimony was
his first sworn statement Of charges
he has made against Murphy, and In
many particulars he added to and
elaborated them. Sulzer appeared as a
witness in District Attorney Whit
mans John Doe inquiry into state
plain why, as governor elect, he had
sent a telegram to the state canal
commission, requesting it to defer ac-
ton on a $3,000,O00 contract upon
which Stewart was the lowest bidder.
Stewart, who was to get the contract
testified at previous hearings that
man named Gaffney had asked him
for a contribution Of per cent OF the
contract. Sulzer today swore that he
had sent the telegram because he had
been told there was danger that stew
arts bids would be thrown out and
that this would be a great injustice t.
Stewart and to the state Of New York.
For having requested the canal board
to defer action in the matter, Murphy
summoned him, SulZer said, and told
him he was Quitting in where he did
not belong" and that he was mot be-
ginning right as governor" When
Sulzer resented this and told the Tam
many chief he intended to be his own
governor, he swore that Murphy re-
piled: Like nell YOU will. I'll see
where you'll end damned quick" Sui
ger indicated this interview marked
his first clash with Murphy. sulzer
said that when he became governor he
agreed with Attorney General Car
mody, member Of the canal board,
that Stewart ought to get the contract
and had sought to "get him justice"
Other members Of the board, however,
outvoted the attorney general, six to
one. Mr.. Murphy was the boss" said
Sulzer. II was the governor. I did
everything in my power to get along
with him. I was willing to do anythin
within reason but I was not willing to
violate my oath Of office, nor to shut
my eyes to graft. When I told him
this, Murphy always laughed at me-
Sulzer declared that when he began
his investigation into various state de-
partments after he became governor
he was staggered at the overwhelm-
ing corruption in the state" He de-
clared that Murphy had sent John II.
Delaney as messenger to him, de-
manding the dismissal Of John A. Hen
messy as graft investigator. He said
that Murphy wanted to arrange for
telephone connections between Del
monico's and the executive mansion.
Il asked Murphy to write" said the
witness, "but he said he never wrote
Referring to the reported secret con-
ference between Murphy and his lieu
tenants at Delmonicos, where Sulzer
has previously charged it was decided
to impeach him, he said, Jay w. For
rest of Albany had a letter in his pos
session which would prove such con-
ference had been held. up to the very
last minute" he said, IF I had been
willing to compromise, l would not
have been removed Mr.. Murphy sent
word time and again that If I'd quit,
he'd quit and that Senators Frawley.
would quit" Sulzer will be called to
the stand again Friday.