POLICE CAPTAIN CREEDEN SPEAKS

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, December 15, 1894.

CREEDEN SPEAKS.

Lexow Inquiry Goes Higher Up At Last.

GREATEST SENSATION YET.

Some of New York's Highest Police Officials Implicated. The Veteran Police Captain Confesses to Having Paid $15,000 For His Captaincy—Police Justice Voorhis and Commissioner Martin Involved—Another Witness Swears That the Former Got $10,000 Out of It—Captain Creeden Suspended by the Police Board on the Recommendation of Superintendent Byrnes—Lexow Committee, Which Had Promised Him Immunity, Summon the Officials and Demand the Captain's Reinstatement—Will Be Acted On Today. New York Shaken From Harlem to the Battery By the Revelations—Public Sympathy With Captain Creeden—Justice Voorhis Denies the Charges In Toto, While Commissioner Martin Laughs Them to Scorn—Richard Croker, In Answer to Witness Moran's Allegations, "Has Nothing to Say"—Senators Adjourn Till Tuesday.

   NEW YORK, Dec. 15.—Police Captain T. J. Creeden has confessed before the Lexow committee that he had paid $15,000 for his captaincy.

   A few hours later he was suspended from the force by the board of police commissioners, on recommendation of Superintendent Byrnes, who was instructed to prepare charges against him.

   The Lexow committee had agreed that Creeden should be granted immunity from punishment for his purchase of a captaincy, and when the action of the police commissioners became known, they, as well as Superintendent Byrnes, were subpoenaed to appear before the senate investigating body.

   Captain Creeden's confession was the biggest sensation yet brought forth by the Lexow committee. In itself, the captain's statement was merely a confirmation of testimony elicited before the senators previously; but the startling facts essentially interwoven with this sensational expose affix the taint of dishonor upon men who have held some of the most responsible offices in the gift of the community.

   The affair not only involves and implicates men who have filled some of the most important positions in the police department, but verifies and corroborates the gravest charges of official corruption that were ever preferred against the constabulary of New York city.

   From the Harlem to the Battery; from the slums to the East side to the brown stone mansions of the West side, the city is ringing with the news of the day's extraordinary developments before the Lexow committee.

   The inquisitorial senators have "gone higher up." They have almost reached the climax of their investigating labors.

   But public censure is not heaped on Creeden's head. It falls on those who are supposed to have induced him to enter into the deal.

   Captain Creeden had served in the local police department for 30 years with honor and distinction. He is a war-scarred veteran, whose record shows that in 23 engagements of the civil war he bared his bosom for his country's cause. In all his 30 years of police service he was fined only six days' pay for trivial and minor derelictions. And the captain's one fault is forgotten by the popular mind in sympathy for his present, trying position, and respect for his past deeds.

   The day was replete with exciting and dramatic incidents, having the Lexow committee proceedings, throughout the official channels that bear relation to the public departments involved in the investigation.

   At the criminal court building in particular the excitement was intense. Many and sensational were the rumors that gained currency in that edifice with reference to Captain Creeden's confession. One of these reports, which lacked confirmation and credibility, however, was that Justice Voorhis and John W. Reppenhagen had been indicted by the grand jury for complicity in the sale and purchase of Creeden's captaincy. Another rumor was that Mr. Goff and District Attorney Fellows had been in consultation and that Captain Schmittberger had agreed to "peach" on his superior officers in consideration of immunity for himself.

   And still another rumor was that the four police commissioners and Superintendent Byrnes would be promptly indicted for contempt of the senate commission, their offense being Creeden's suspension for his testimony before the senators.

   The news of Captain Creeden's confession ran like a flash through police headquarters. It carried with it consternation and dismay. Men who have aged and grown gray in the exciting pursuit of politics paled with surprise for the first time in years. Everywhere there was the impress and tinge of some extraordinary occurrence.

   Superintendent Byrnes and Commissioner Martin refused to be seen.

   Commissioner Sheehan when told of Creeden's statement asked: "Who got the money?"

   When told that this point had not yet been fully developed, he said: "That is what they want to find out. If they keep up their investigation long enough I guess they will."

   But the scenes in and around the meeting room of the committee in the old Tweed courthouse were intensely dramatic and sensational. Men were moved by passions and emotions they had never felt before.

   The courtroom was filled with more than 500 persons—witnesses interspersed with representative citizens who were desirous of hearing the testimony.

   Captain Creeden had said on Thursday on the witness stand that he had paid no money for his captaincy.

   But yesterday, after Captain Schmittberger, who is under indictment, refused, by advice of his counsel, to answer Mr. Goff's questions, Creeden was allowed an opportunity to tell the truth.

   He had been reared in that part of Ireland where the role of an informer was deemed the most despicable of human characters; he had preferred to sacrifice himself rather than implicate those who he supposed were his friends; but he had thought the matter over during the night and decided to tell all he knew.

   The witness spoke slowly with downcast eyes. He was moved by conflicting emotions and the sympathies of his auditors went out to the white haired veteran. In a straightforward, though shamefaced manner, he told how he had risen from the position of patrolman to a sergeancy, how at last a captaincy was offered him—for money.

   The expense of educating his eight children had been very heavy, and he wanted the position of captain with its increased emoluments. But he had submitted the matter to his friends. They raised the money.

   The amount necessary to secure the appointment was, $15,000, because Sergeant Wiegand had offered $12,000. His friends, Barney Rourke and John W. Reppenhagen, secured the money ostensibly on his notes. He had paid the money to ex-Assemblyman John J. Martin. It was his understanding that the funds went to Police Commissioner Voorhis, now police justice.

   The conclusion of Captain Creeden's testimony was followed by an impressive pause. Then Mr. Goff apologized for causing the captain the unpleasantness he had experienced. Tears suffused Creeden's eyes. A sympathetic tremor ran through the audience.

   "And," continued Mr. Goff, "it is the unanimous opinion of this committee that in view of the splendid services you have rendered to your country and to the community, the public interests will not be subserved by disturbing you in your position as police captain.

   Then there was a burst of applause such as no man could stop. No hats were thrown in the air, nor were there yells of triumph. It was the deep sympathy of a feeling throng burst from the trammels of suspense.

   Captain Creeden arose. Ho looked straight ahead. Tears filled his eyes and his face twitched with emotion. Then each member of the committee—Counsel Goff, Jerome and Moss—shook his hand warmly. There was another burst of applause and Captain Creeden walked from the courtroom crying.

   Men trembling with pent up feelings grasped his hand in sympathetic pity.

   President John P. Brophy said to him: "I desire to shake hands with you, sir; I am proud of you as an American citizen."

   Then John W. Reppenhagen testified that he handled the money. He was given the money, and in turn he turned over $10,000 of it to "Honest" John Martin for the benefit of Commissioner Voorhis. He kept the remaining $5,000 for himself. He was the go-between.

   Repenhagen swore that Voorhis lied if he said he did not get the money.

   The audience laughed. The witness had testified differently Thursday.

   Mr. Goff said he had subpoened Martin, but word had come that that individual was suffering with paralysis.

   It was during the afternoon session that Mr. Goff learned of Captain Creeden's suspension. The committee became excited.

   "Subpoena all the commissioners," yelled Senator Bradley. The subpoenas were all issued.

   "It looks as though the men who tell the truth are to be suspended by the police board," said Senator O'Connor angrily.

   "It is abominable," was Chairman Lexow's verdict.

   Everyone spoke at once. Indignation prevailed.

   The subpoena clerks soon performed their work and Commissioner Martin assumed the witness stand.

   He had not known that the committee were desirous of retaining Captain Creeden, or he would have done otherwise. He had voted for Creeden's suspension on the recommendation of the superintendent.

   "Well, the Lexow committee was very much surprised at the action of your board, and therefore have summoned you to come here and explain the action of your board."

   "That is my explanation," replied Commissioner Martin.

   "There have been several captains charged before this committee with having accepted bribes. Some of them have been indicted. Has any action been taken by Superintendent Byrnes to have these men suspended?"

   "No; such a case has only arisen with regard to one man and the charges against him are in preparation."

   "Mr. Forget of the Transatlantic Steamship line testified to paving $500 to Captain Schmittberger. Was any action of this kind taken with regard to him?"

   "That is the case to which I refer. The police board will probably meet tomorrow and the question of Captain Creeden's suspension will be taken up."

   "Though the charges against Captain Schmittberger were made on Nov. 12, he has not yet been suspended.

   "From the commencement of the sittings of this committee up to the present time, notwithstanding the grave charges made against police captains, not one of them has been suspended, even though indictments have been found by the grand jury no suspension has been made. Is not that so?"

   "That is so."

   Mr. Goff then asked Mr. Moss to read for the witness the expression of the committee as to the course to be adopted by the commissioners to Captain Creeden.

   When Mr. Moss had finished Mr. Goff said: "That is the official expression of the opinion of this committee. You are the president of the police department in this city and I do not wish you to say anything which you think you should not mention, but I wish to know whether your board is inclined to disregard the opinion of this committee?"

   "I shall bring the matter before the meeting of the board tomorrow," said the witness.

   Commissioner Martin said he was desirous of working in harmony with the committee in purifying the police department. He promised he would do all in his power to restore Captain Creeden.

   Then there was more applause.

   It was increased by the appearance of Superintendent Byrnes. He said that Creeden's case was different from that of other accused police captains. When Creeden was appointed he swore that he had paid no money to secure the appointment.

   The superintendent had recommended the suspension because of Creeden's perjury and because Creeden had acknowledged his guilt before the committee. But Mr. Byrnes also promised to do all in his power to obtain Captain Creeden's restoration.

   The audience applauded the superintendent.

   Lena Myer testified that she had paid "protection" money to Police Captain Brogan, but her testimony was lost beside the sensationalism of the other [exposures] of the day.

   The committee's adjournment till Tuesday only adds fuel for the anxious speculation which is being indulged in as to the next step in this startling expose.

   Police Justice Voorhis, who is today one of the most talked of men in New York, has denied in toto the allegations made against him before the senators. Said he:

   "Repenhagen never spoke one word to me in Creeden's behalf. I never have received from Creeden, either directly or indirectly, or from any other member of the police force, one penny for any influence I may have exercised. The story is almost too absurd to dignify with a denial," and the justice laughed scornfully.

   "I might add," said he, "that the morning Creeden was appointed to a captaincy I had a conversation with him in the presence of President James J. Martin. I asked him whether he had used or caused to be used any improper influence. He declared he had not."

   Another feature of the day which was generally discussed on the streets was Mr. Goff's invitation to Richard Croker to appear before the committee and deny the charges made against him.

   Mr. Goff said that inasmuch as the testimony of Mr. Moran, the Brooklyn tug owner, given Thursday, implicated Mr. Croker in constructive extortion, the latter was invited to take the witness stand and make any explanation that he might desire of Moran's allegations.

   Mr. Croker did not respond. In an interview he was uniformly silent. "I have nothing to say to this," was the only reply Mr. Croker made to all queries.

Sensational Rumors Afloat.

   NEW YORK, Dec. 15.—Many sensational rumors were current in the criminal court building after Police Captain Creeden had testified before the Lexow committee that he had paid $15,000 for his captaincy.

   One report, which lacks confirmation, was that Police Justice Voorhis, who was a police commissioner at the time Creeden was promoted, and the two men, Reppenhagen and Snell, who received the money, had been indicted on information presented to the grand jury.

   Two indictments were found by the grand jury against Policeman August G. Thorne, who was wardman in the Fifth precinct during ex-Captain Stephenson's term there.

   Produce Dealer Edwards, in the recent trial when Stephenson was convicted, testified that Thorne was the man who first demanded apples and oranges for the captain.

   The first indictment charges Thorne with aiding and abetting Stephenson in bribery on Sept. 15, 1891, and the second with perjury before the police board when the ex-captain was tried and dismissed by the board.

United States Will Take No Part.

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.—The United States will take no part in the investigation of the Armenian troubles. Finding that the limitations imposed by President Cleveland upon the functions of United States Consul Jewett were such as to prevent his joint action with the representatives of the old powers, the sultan has withdrawn his invitation to the United States to appoint a commissioner, and consequently Mr. Jewett's appointment [is cancelled].

BREVITIES.

   —The D., L. & W. pay car passed through town at 10:30 this morning and made the boys happy.
   —Two of the boilers for the new power house for the electric road arrived from Watertown this morning.  
   —Henson & Crisp are to-day having their watch sign mounted on a standard in front of their store at 79 Main-st.

   —During the year 1894 the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western road's loss of life to passengers and employees has been 70 per cent less than any other road in the country.—Binghamton Post.

   —Rev. C. E. Hamilton will lead the prayer-meeting of Lincoln lodge, I. O. G. T., Sunday at 3 o'clock P. M. in their rooms. A cordial invitation is extended to all, and it is hoped that there will be a large attendance.

   —Bartholomew's twenty-four educated horses which do everything but talk will be the attraction at the Opera House on Monday and Tuesday evenings, Dec 24 and 25, with an afternoon matinee for children.

   —The Howard Stock Co, which is now playing a week's engagement in Cortland, has been engaged to open the new Marathon opera house next April with the play "Ingomar" which the company are to begin playing next week and which Mr. E. P. Sullivan has played for three years.

   —The small boys are delighted with the railroad train that makes regular trips through the snow in the north window of Brown's drug store.

Main Street looking north.

Less Poles on Main-st.

   The Western Union Telegraph Co. and the Cortland & Homer Traction Co., owner of the electric light plant, have arranged for a consolidation by which the same poles shall be used for telegraph wires and electric light wires between the Western Union office on Main-st. and the corner of Clinton-ave. and Church st. The telegraph company is to furnish new cedar poles and the electric light people are doing the work of making the change. Superintendent John O'Connell is to-day engaged with a force of men in pulling up the old poles.