The New York herald., 1877-08-28
WRANGLING REPUBLICANS.

THE FIGHT IN THE FIFTH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
AGAINST AUSTIN LEAKE-sPoRr FOR THE
BOYS.
Tho rooms of the Republican Association OF tho
Fifth Assembly district largely filled last night
the attraction being tho proceedings against Austin
Leake, tho president Of the organization. A. half pust
eight o'clock tho chairman Eugene Ward called tho
meeting to order Seated by bis side his colleagues
George W. Belts ex-senator Lent, Charles Lynch aud
DAME, Mooney The prosecutor, cx-Aiderman Brady,
occupied soot In front Mr. Lcakc was not present
William g. Irving was the first witness. In relation TO
the charse that Mr. LeaSe had caused to be appointed
TO federal Office Sir. Moncrief, democrat the wit
said he understood that although Moncrief had
been president o! Tden club In tho in '76 hc
had sinco become n republican. As 20 the second
spcciacation--viz., that Lcako received from said
Moncref s. per month as compensation, tho witness
stated that Lcake bad admitted receiving tho money
and that Moncref mad stated that no had paid The
impression OF tho witness, however, was that tho
money paid for association purposes. Mcssrs.
Lynch and Belts fought hard this point TO exclude
tho witness impression, but ex-senator Isn't con-
tended that, In tho interest OF fair play such evidence
standing OF tho convcrsation Mr. Lent here OK.
pressed himself determined to give Lcako iar
ves,Saton, and commenced obtccting TO all bcsrsay
evidence with regard TO tho association furni-
ture which Mr.. Lcakc Is accused OF having taken
TO Rockaway. The witness testified tnat he had
furniture III RccKaway which closely resombcd tho
benches clock and shades OF tho hall OF the assOcm-
ton, and he, as n member OF the General Committee
had never been consulted as 10 such removal
The witness several times interrupted by ME
Lent who insisted on holding HIM down 10 strict legal
evidence. Much dissatisfaction was in consequence
occsioned among the AUDIENCE the large majority OF
which evidently opposed TO Mr.. Lcako Tho
pending storm at last broke out through the medium
OF Frank Wood.
CURIOUS QUESTIONS.
"Msy have pcrmlssion, MIR. Chairman, to ask the
witness two questions? 2" he sud.
Tho chairman looked at his colleague Mr.. Lent, and
that gentleman nodded aflirma,ivcly. "Ceranly, sir
you have permission. ASK tho questions" said the
chairman.
IL want 10 distinctly understood that / have the
right 10 ask two questions Is that so 7"
The audience looked astonished. What was the man
driving att Did he want the chairman to give him
written permission, cngrossod and tied with red tapo
The Char also looked nonplussed but answered.
why certainly, certainly, OF course, 70 ahead go
ahead"
.'Ali right, thon; we understand each other, said
Mr. Wood, and placing his finger In the buttonhoc Of
his vest hc askcd:--
'Now. Ar Witness, question 1--Do you know II
the moon is made OF green chccseY
The witness turned pao, the audience roared tho
Chairman grew rcd, aud Mr. Lcnt jumped to his lcet
81 object, Mr Chairman, to any such question. LIS
trininp with this committee. It's absurd"
''Hoid on - SAID Mr. Wood, calmly. 'T'vc got
anohcr question, Remember pve got the floor for
two question:, and no mistake"
Tho witness BY this time had recovered himself
and answered that his honest belief that the
not mndo OF green cheese
Question = "llavc you ever been TO the moon TO
find out?"
Tnc witness frankly nswcrcd that he nevor mad
been.
''rhcsc, gentlemen" continued Mr Wood 'aro fair
samples ol the questions asked OF the witness.
asked them s'mpiy 10 illustrate" and tho speaker
gave docp glance ut ex Senator Lent, which rendered
tho use OF that gcntlcmRns name unnecessary Mr.
Woods byplay was received with uproarious laughter
our VY THE DfsrRicr.
TIE next witness Mr. Sentor who testified IN re.
lation TO tho charge that Leakc had appoin, cd Mr.
Lowery, OF ManhattanviIlc, TO a place IN tho Post
ONCE To tho unIntiated politics the appointing OF
citizen OF Mnnbattnnvillc to place IN the Post once
may not appear u very hcinous crime, especially II
nothing Is set up against tho appointccs char
actcr; but to the 'dccstrictr IL is most
ercviVus sin when hundreds OF anxious patriots
are wnting eagerly TO servo the government Ia the
district II Is terrible offence 10 60 outside this
Der for tho lucky man. Mr.. Scnier testified that he
was reliably informed that Lowcry resided Manhat
tHnvilic or fremont
Tho Chairman herc suggested to the prosecutor that
uasmuch as sufficient evidence had been introduced TO
satisfy the committee e
Ex-senator Lent must protest against the char
deciding without consultation.
Alter further discussion the Chair threw out
broad hint TO Mr.. Brady that he had better test hts
case and no did after summing ur. ~ tue con-
clusion Mr. kitche, one ot the members, spoke
strongly against any policy but one OF thorough nvcs
tieation o wanted all tho charges ana all the evi
dencc brought in The meeting then adjourned with
the understanding that the committee would report at
n SPECIAL meeting 10 DO hereafter caci Tint tho
committee will nnd against Mr.. leakc Is conceded.