New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-16

drive over these roads aud have given set Of reso
iu 1 ,,. ce,stilfy ing as To their quality.
10 Mr.. Nhtr1dge he said that he did not know n con
tractor named Richard A. Cunningham. He knew con-
named Cnnninsham He might have had forty
be would swear that ~ the best Of his knowledge n,
carts while In the service Of the city had been used BIZ
contractors.
Mr.. FCcIEsINE ON THE WAR PATH
William Mcdonald was then called TO the stand and
his examination was continued Ills counsel ex-senator
Eccesiue, occupied seat next to him, and speedily
made his influence felt Mr. Whridge asked the witness,
from whom, In addition to those be had named at h pre
ylOus examination, he had obtained sand and earth
Mr. Eccesine-I object TO the question irrelevant
Senator Gibgs-I shall insist that the counsel appear,
here only By the courtesy OF the committee
Senator ThaCher-I am In some doubt az 10 fine fru
scope OF this inquiry, but think the witness should he AZ
lowed 10 appear here with counsel aud think that tho
examination or each witness should be confined
to his connection with the Department Of Public Wor
Mr.. Eeclesne risins The inquiry should be limi.ed
to such inquiries will put either the senate or the AS
sembly in possession OF such facts "a viii enable them
ntegenty to prepare remedial legislation. Therefore
under the resolution passed by your body Witnesses can
De asked any material or proper question I'm relation to
their connection with the Department of Public Works
person VINO y czen, not an Office holder, but simply
supplies materials to a corporation under contract can
be justly inquired OF the value Of the material and
ment under which II was ordered; hut the Committee
have right 10 inquire into the private profit OF pryae
are purely private to him as 70 w6ere he Obtained fbesa
materials, what he paid for them, etc.
Senator Gibbs gested that tine committee 20 into ex
Mr.. Eccesine. The committee retired into an adjoining
for fe& minutes When returned Senator Gibbs
announced the decision Of the committee az follows:
The committee does not recognize counsel for witnesses
as matter Of right The committee will recognize eOun-
sci "a matter or courtesy The committee rule that all
questions mu ne answered that 10 not tend to crinsts
the witness: The committee viii Judge as TO whether the
evidence asked for Will crimfnate the witness
Mr.. Whitrdge then repeated the question Mr. Eccls
sine again objected.
Senator Lansing-The resolution OF the committee
recognizes counsel only as matter OF courtesy The Oh.
such objections are made we should exclude counsel
The witness declined to answer the question because
advised by his counsel demurrer made Mr..
Ecclesine's interference.
Mr. Eoclesine-With due respect to the committee the
counsel does not understand that it Is a q
courtesy, but not matter OF right he appears here
Senator Gibbs-The Chair declines 10 hear the counsel
Mr. Eoceslne-The counsel will nevertheless continue
to remain here and advise his client until the committee
prevent him by some known means.
WITNESS REFUSES TO ANSWER.
Mr. whitridge then questioned the witness about limo
chips He said he had supplied them to the city
foI fifteen years past.
Q.-Where did Won obtain limestone cbps I'm 1881
Mr.. Eccesine-I object.
Senator Gbbs-rhe Chair refuses to recognize counsel
Mr.. Eccesine-I advise witness not 70 answer
The witness looked much perplexed but nevertheless
did answer thar he bad obtained limestone chips from ths
TOmpkius Cove Company and from somebody else whose
he could not remember. lie was asked from what
other people he had obtained limestone chips besides the
Tompkns Cove people. Mr. Eccesine advised him not 10
answer Senator Lansing moved that the witness BE- d.
rected % answer All the members voted for the motion
except Mr. Thacher. The chairman directed the Wit
ness 10 answer the question lie declined Oh tle gIOll
thai be had been advised ~ ms counse.
Several other questions that asked as 70 Wet no
mad obtained other material the witness was advised
BY Mr. Eccesine answer, aud he dechheu 70 an
swer. IT. each instance motion was made maj ne 90
directed 20 answer the question and vote taken upon
the motion all members OF the committee voting m
tie Affirmative The witness stu persisted IN refusing 10
answer though he looked exceedingly uncomfortable
when some hints were made TO the possible oOnse-
1ueuces He said that he had dock az InwOod vhere
material was brought TO hun by boat For this ne pad
"A rental OF 800. Some sand and earth filling be al.
mitied having got for nothing. and some no was pad
for removing Mr. Ecclesne objected 20 questions as 70
where he had obtained IT, senator Lansing said IT was
important find out why II the witness could get ma
teial for nothing the city had to pay good prices for
1t. -
The witness did not know how much money he had re-
ceiyed from his business what he had expended war
rants were produced showing that in 1851 b. received
from the city $4,000. He said that IN that year ne sod
more material 10 private persons. lie thought hs eA-
penses might have amounted 10 10000. He kept NC
bank account and always paid IN bills he coud read
only little and was unable write except 10 sign ms
He given warrant To READ, OuI couIu i-Ao
out words only here and there