Fassett Investigation
Encyclopedia
The Fassett Investigation, or Fassett Committee, was an 1890 probe by the New York State Senate into political corruption in the City of New York. The committee was mainly looking for evidence of bribery among appointed officials and the Board of Aldermen
. Most of these were Democrats under the leadership of Tammany Hall
"Chieftain" Richard Croker
and Mayor Hugh Grant.
Some of the most newsworthy testimony came from Croker's brother-in-law, Patrick H. McCann, proprietor of the posh Mount St. Vincent Hotel
in Central Park. McCann told how Grant, before he was mayor, once made a present of $25,000 to Croker's six-year-old daughter, Flossie, which he said the Crokers used to purchase a new house. On another occasion, in 1884, Croker dropped in on McCann and showed him a bag with $180,000, explaining that it was cash for bribing the Aldermen so that Grant would be approved as Commissioner of Public Works.
Officially titled the State Senate Committee on Cities and chaired by Republican J. Sloat Fassett
, the testimony ran to over 3000 printed pages. However, it brought no indictments or convictions. The Tammany Democrats romped to victory in November 1890 and again in 1892.
Ex-senator Fassett won the Republican nomination for Governor in 1891. He lost the election.
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
. Most of these were Democrats under the leadership of Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
"Chieftain" Richard Croker
Richard Croker
Richard Croker, Sr. was an American politician, a leader of New York City's Tammany Hall.-Biography:...
and Mayor Hugh Grant.
Some of the most newsworthy testimony came from Croker's brother-in-law, Patrick H. McCann, proprietor of the posh Mount St. Vincent Hotel
McGown's Pass Tavern
McGown's Pass Tavern was a refreshment house in Central Park in New York City, near 104th Street west of Fifth Avenue. It was built in 1883-84 and closed in 1915....
in Central Park. McCann told how Grant, before he was mayor, once made a present of $25,000 to Croker's six-year-old daughter, Flossie, which he said the Crokers used to purchase a new house. On another occasion, in 1884, Croker dropped in on McCann and showed him a bag with $180,000, explaining that it was cash for bribing the Aldermen so that Grant would be approved as Commissioner of Public Works.
Officially titled the State Senate Committee on Cities and chaired by Republican J. Sloat Fassett
Jacob Sloat Fassett
-External links:* at www.infoplease.com Bio at InfoPlease* at politicalgraveyard.com Political Graveyard...
, the testimony ran to over 3000 printed pages. However, it brought no indictments or convictions. The Tammany Democrats romped to victory in November 1890 and again in 1892.
Ex-senator Fassett won the Republican nomination for Governor in 1891. He lost the election.