THE LEXOW INQUIRY

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, October 27, 1894.

THE LEXOW INQUIRY.

COMMISSIONER SHEEHAN AGAIN ON THE STAND.

His Testimony, Though Not Sensational, Was Interesting—Amusing Sparring Between Witness and Counsel Goff—How the Poolrooms Were Closed—Lieutenant Governor Sheehan Present—The Commissioner's Examination Not Completed.

   NEW YORK, Oct. 27.—Police Commissioner Sheehan was the target again for Mr. Goff's rapid-firing guns, and if not sensational, the evidence was decidedly interesting and instructive, with occasional scintillations of sarcasm that highly amused the audience. Sheehan was accompanied to the courtroom by his brother, Lieutenant Governor Sheehan, who remained an interested spectator of the proceedings. Under the long and protracted cross-examination which followed, the commissioner refused to answer some questions on the ground that they had no bearing on the police frauds, the legitimate work of the committee.

   After the subject of Long Island city contracts had been thoroughly gone over by Mr. Goff, resulting in nothing directly implicating Mr. Sheehan, but showing a good deal by inference, a jump was taken to New York.

   The question of poolrooms came up and Mr. Sheehan testified that he had investigated these institutions by asking several poolroom keepers if they paid money for police protection, but they had answered "No."

   Mr. Goff then asked him if he expected a criminal would come and convict himself. To this Commissioner Sheehan did not reply.

   When the Lexow committee resumed after recess the chairman extended the committee's compliments to Lieutenant Governor Sheehan and invited him to a seat on the platform beside the senators. The lieutenant governor arose and declined the invitation, saying significantly: "I prefer to remain in the background until the opportunity arrives for me to come forward and say things my brother cannot."

   "It would relieve you of the suspicion of aiding the witness." replied Senator Lexow, affecting not to understand the lieutenant governor's remark.

   Mr. Goff resumed the examination of Commissioner Sheehan.

   "Did you drink wine with Long Island City officials," he asked.

   "I have taken a drink with them. I met Commissioner Sharkey in a saloon and we drank.

   "Did you know these officials were arrested under aliases in this city?"

   "No."

   "Did you secure their releases?"

   "No."

   "Did you ever try to get legislation for Long Island City with your brothers aid?"

   "No."

   "You are clear about it?"

   "Yes."

   "Were you in partnership with Alderman Parks in the gambling business?''

   Commissioner Sheehan was angered. "If any man says so, he lies," he exclaimed.

   "How about the diamond necklace the Pequod club gave your bride?"

   "I suppose it was bought out of the club's treasury. It's in good condition."

   Commissioner Sheehan told how he had tried to bring Inspector McLaughlin to trial when the other officials were called to account. He said Superintendent Byrnes and Mr. Wellman told him that there was not enough evidence against Inspector McLaughlin.

   "How about Kate Schubert's sudden departure?"

   "I was very much amused at Inspector McLaughlin's attempts to catch her. The detective bureau did not do its duty on that occasion. The doings of the detective bureau are not sufficiently known to the commissioners."

   "Have you any complaint to make against Superintendent Byrnes?"

   "No."

   Then Mr. Goff read an interview with Richard Croker published in 1893. Mr. Croker said that poolrooms should be closed up.

   Mr. Goff rated the commissioner for not closing the rooms until Mr. Croker spoke.

   The commissioner said Mr. Croker's denunciation did not spur him to order the rooms closed.

   Commissioner Sheehan vouchsafed the explanation that he had sent for pool-sellers and asked them if they paid for police protection.

   "Oh, oh," laughed Mr. Goff. "You sent for the felons to ask them?"

   "Yes, I asked them if they violated the law."

   "Why, that's better yet. Don’t you know a felon never draws a halter around his own neck? Were you so soon from rural Buffalo?"

   "Not much longer than you were from Ireland," snapped the witness.

   "Never mind how long I am from Ireland."

   The commissioner said that he imagined that there had been a decision making poolselling legal, but Mr. Goff disillusioned him.

   Mr. Goff said that Lawyer Grant wanted to appear as Mr. Sheehan's counsel, but that he must be denied that privilege as it was the rule of the committee.

   Mr. Goff hammered away at the witness to make him admit that Croker closed the poolrooms. The witness positively declined to make any such admission.

   Senator Lexow took Commissioner Sheehan to task for saying that the police board did not have the power the committee had. He showed him the law allowed immunity to witnesses who testified that they had bribed an official. This information knocked the commissioner's explanation out as to why the commissioners had not been active, Mr. Goff contended.

   Mr. Goff made Commissioner Sheehan admit that the trials of police officials had been prompted by the evidence brought out by the Lexow committee.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

A Democratic Scheme of Corruption.

   It has been ascertained upon the best of authority that the Democratic program for Election day is to keep at home as many as possible of the voters, especially in the country districts. To that end agents have been secured to visit each district and offer the purchasable voters a liberal reward for keeping away from the polls on Election day. The plan was tried in the last gubernatorial campaign and it was so successful that it is to be operated this year on a more extensive scale. The Democratic managers feel that this method is safer than the direct use of money at the polls, and they have prepared to work it for all there is in it. Republicans in every section should be on the watch for these Democratic agents, and, if possible, secure evidence which will warrant their arrest. They must also look well to the weak voters, and let them understand that every one of them who remains away from the polls at this important election will be open to the suspicion of improper influence. The man who does not vote this fall will have to give satisfactory reasons for his failure, or undergo the suspicion that he has been "seen" by Democratic agents. Every voter must give an account of himself on election day.

   President Cleveland left New York Thursday for Washington without saying a word for Senator Hill. For days the Democratic managers have been importuning the president to declare for the Hill ticket, and the impatient followers were told that without doubt the speech or letter would be delivered when the executive passed through the city on his way to Washington. But Cleveland came and went, and the machine faithful, with their ears to the ground, listened painfully for the sound which never came. All of Hill's protestations of admiration for the administration have gone for naught, and the anti-snappers are left to express their real opinion of the machine candidate, Cleveland, he not saying a word, but it is reasonable to suppose that he is keeping up a deep thinking.

  

Item.

   Very soon 100,000 acres more of land will be open to settlement on the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota. The president's proclamation is all that is needed.

Item.

   Dr. Edward Everett Hale notes it as a significant fact that the five distinctly American poets, Whittier, Longfellow, Bryant, Lowell and Holmes, were all Unitarians. "They were all Unitarians," he says, "because they were poets. A poet must be a prophet, and a prophet must be a Unitarian practically."

Didn't Hitch the Horse Securely.

   A young man who works for J. B. Lamont, who lives on the road to McLean, came to town last evening and attended the Good Templars' meeting. He hitched his horse on the street and when he came to look for it he could not find it. He supposed that it had been stolen and reported the case to the police. Chief Sager found the horse this morning in a barn on West Court-st., where it had strayed and had been cared for by the owner of the barn.

"Sunshine Will Come Again."

   Chas. T. Ellis will introduce that wonderfully popular ballad, "Sunshine Will Come Again," in his revival of his pretty play, "Casper the Yodler," which will be seen at the Opera House on Monday. He has delighted thousands of music lovers through the country by his charming singing, and lovers of sweet ballads will welcome this opportunity of again hearing his beautiful voice.

HOMER DEPARTMENT.

Gleanings of News From Our Twin Village.

   Uncle "Tom's Cabin" to-night at the [Keator] Opera House.

   About 35 people from this town attended the McKinley speech last night at Syracuse. They report the biggest meeting ever known in Syracuse.

   Miss Stevens, who has been the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Byron Munson on Clinton-st., returned to her home in Scranton this morning.

   The minstrel troupe arrived this morning. They created quite a sensation with their pony and dogs.

New Foundry and Machine Shop.

   A company of stockholders who are not yet completely organized into a company are building a foundry and machine shop west of the Cortland Chair and Cabinet Co.'s plant. D. G. Corwin has the contract for the carpenter work and Geer Bros., the contract for the mason work. The foundations are nearly all completed. The building is to be of brick and wood and one hundred feet in width. A fifty-horse power boiler and a thirty-five horse power engine will run the machinery, which will be of the latest and most improved patterns. Mr. John L. McKee, who is one of the promoters of the new enterprise, says that it will be one of the best equipped plants of its kind in this section of the country. Fuller particulars will be given later when the organization of the company is perfected.

BREVITIES.

   —The Normal football team is to-day at Cazenovia to play with the seminary team.

   —Weston, the pedestrian, is scheduled to arrive in Cortland at 9 o'clock Monday evening.

   —The big boys [Democrats] with the little horns made considerable noise last evening on Railroad-st.

   —The Chautauqua circle will meet with Mrs. S. N. Holden, 5 Union-st, Monday evening at 7 o'clock.

   —The Cortland and Homer baseball teams crossed bats yesterday and our boys won by a score of nine to one.

   —The East End junior football team beat the North End juniors by a score of 6 to 0 in a game of football this fore noon.

   —Prof. Cornish desires all members of the arithmetic class to be present in the Y. M. C. A. class room to-night at 8 o'clock.

   —Messrs. Harvey Brillinger and J. Geary have trimmed the south window of Mr. Charles F. Brown's main store in a very tasty manner,

   —During the time that refreshments were being served by the Young Ladies' Sodality in Empire hall Thursday evening, Mr. John McDermott's orchestra gave a fine concert.

   —The Y. M. D. C. of the Normal school have engaged Rev. Thos. K. Beecher of Elmira to give a lecture in Normal hall on Dec. 20. His subject will be "Money at Interest."

   —The Clef society gave one of their interesting music recitals last evening at the home of Philia Tice and Annie Balles. A large number of their friends were present and all enjoyed a pleasant evening.

   —Twenty of the neighbors of Mr. D. L. Bliss and family gathered at their fine home, 86 Clinton-ave., last evening. Progressive euchre was played until 11:30 and an enjoyable time is reported by all those present.

   —A [Levi] Morton portrait was Thursday hung in one of the windows of Benton's planing mill. Yesterday morning it was found torn by a stone which had been thrown in from the outside, smashing the glass. That looks like a very small way for one to show his political sympathies or lack of sympathy.

   Miss Minnie Cleary very pleasantly entertained her Sunday-school class of girls last evening. Another class of boys were also present. Games were played and all report a delightful time. Refreshments were served at 9 o'clock and the party broke up about 11 o'clock. About thirty were present.

   —Charles White was arrested this morning by Chief Sager on a warrant sworn out by J. W. Montague, charging him with giving him a forged order for four dollars on the Hitchcock Mfg. Co. White claimed that he did not forge the order as the company owed him that amount. The case was adjourned till 5 o'clock this afternoon.

   —Mr. G. L. Reeve has lately made a table that is a wonder in itself. It is composed of fourteen different kinds of wood. The top is 25 by 31 inches in size. The border is of black walnut. Inside there is a mosaic surface 20 1/2 by 26 inches in size which contains nearly 7,000 pieces of wood arrayed in highly artistic figures. It is a very handsome piece of work.

   —The editor of the DeRuyter Gleaner is blessed with a vivid imagination. In the last issue of his paper he says that a third hotel is contemplated in that place, and that "another summer may see our beautiful village blossoming in popularity as a summer resort." DeRuyter is an excellent village, but its beauty is of the kind to which distance lends enchantment.—Cazenovia Republican.

   —Cortland's change from horse power to electricity in the street railway is proceeding with less annoyance than the city of St. John, N. B., a place of nearly 50,000 people which has been without any means of transportation for several weeks. The trolley tracks are all being relaid and instead of doing the job street by street, allowing the cars to run in some quarters of the city, all traffic has been suspended and the changes proceed with the greatest deliberation.

   —There was a large attendance at the Presbyterian chapel last evening to see the stereopticon views and to hear the lecture by Rev. H. K. Sameulian upon Constantinople. Unfortunately at the very outset in turning on the gas for the lantern an accident happened to one of the gas tanks and it was impossible to use the lantern. An effort was made to repair it, but without success. In consequence, the lecture had to be postponed until this evening at the same place and hour, 8 o'clock. A new tank has been procured and everything is expected to go well. This is a kind of accident never known to occur before, and it is hardly possible that it ever will again.

INDEPENDENT TICKET.

Borthwick Will Probably Withdraw His Name.

   Harlow G. Borthwick, who has been nominated for sheriff upon an independent ticket, will probably withdraw his name. He was strongly considering the matter this morning and asked County Clerk Jones as a favor to hold his office hours open to-day until 6:20 o'clock.

   Mr. Borthwick went down to Marathon this morning and sent a friend to Homer. They are to return on the 6:04 and 6:20 trains respectively to-night and will immediately upon consultation form a decision and, if it is decided that he shall withdraw, will file a notice of withdrawal at the clerk's office at once.

   Mr. Borthwick has always been a Republican and a decision from him not to run against the regular Republican nominee who was fairly nominated, will meet with general approval and will place him upon a better fooling with all citizens regardless of party than any which he could ever hope to attain again should he bolt the regular ticket and run as an independent.

   Mr. Borthwick's name is the only one upon the independent ticket and if he withdraws the whole ticket is withdrawn.

Tea Table Talk.

   Dr. Paul of St. Cuthbert's tells an amusing story of the first Italian music teacher who visited Edinburgh. He passed the town church as service was drawing to a close. "What is that horrible noise?" he asked, and when told that it was the people praising God he rejoined: "And do the people think their God likes to hear that horrible noise?" When answered in the affirmative, the sad foreigner rejoined: "Then their God must have no ear for music," and sorrowfully walked away.