New-York tribune., 1884-02-26
CONTUMACIOUS MDONALD.
70 BE ARRESTED FOR CONTEMPT.
on Mr.. GTBBs's MOTION THE SENATE SENDS THA
sERGEANT-AT-ARMs AFTER HIM.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUSE.t

ALBANY, Feb. Ex-senator Gibbs, the chairman
OF the Committee on Cities formally reported to
the Senate tonight the conduct Of William Nc
Donald, the contractor, in refusing to answer the
questions addressed TO him concemingthe materials
he supplied to the Department of Public Works Of
New-York. The committee said that they were OF
the opinion and would report, that it is necessary
for the efficient prosecution of the investigation
ordered by the Senate, that said William Mcdonald
should be required to answer the questions
which he has refused to answer, and that
he should be required to attend before
the committee until his examination is
concluded, and that his refusal to answer and to
attend before the committee aforesaid is in con-
tempt of the senate" Senator Gibbs then offered
resolutions providing for the arrest of Mcdonald by
the Sergeant-at-A Arms and the bringing of him be-
fore the bar of the Senate. Senator Gibbs then de-
scribed the conduct of Mcdonald, and said that not
one hours delay should be made III acting on the
resolution. If something was not done the commit
tee might as well withdraw from the investigation,
as it has no prospect of accomplishing anything
under the circumstances.
Senator Titus suggested that the resolution be
considered for several days as il would not be wise
to act hastily on such matter, and invoke ex-
trao rdinary power unless the emergency was a
great one.
Senator Lansing said that Mcdonald was only
allowed counsel by the courtesy of the committee.
Mcdonald was told that he was not asked TO say
anything that would criminate himself; and the
questions that were put to him were simply in the
legitimate line Of inquiry.
Senator DAILY said that in his opinion,
the committee had no other than
to ask for the arrest oftbe witness Mcdonald was
contumaciOus III the highest degree, and should 10
brought before the Senate for contempt.
Senator Murphy said " Will the witness be al
lowed the privilege of counsel here!
President Mccarthy replied that the question
was one that the Senate could decide when the
prisoner was brought before IT,
/ he resolution ordering the arrest of Mcdonald
was then passed by unanimous vote. lne ser
gcant-at-Arms will $. art for New-lork at mdnlgh5
to arrest Mcdonald.
Fne Roosevelt Aldermanic bill was reported from
the Assembly and was referred to the Committee Oh
Cities.
Senator Thomas called up his prohibitory amend
ment in the Senate, and made an hours speech IN
its favor.
Assemblyman Clinton introduced bill making
il obligatory Oh Mayors of cities TO enforce tho
Civil service reform law. The law now is permls-
=,
without his approval Assembly bill No. l23, chang
ing the name OF the Spring supply Water Conf
pany, OF Oneida. to the Warner Water Works.
AeSsrs. Hendricks of OnOndaga, aud ). ID. Locke,
of Rensselaer,, made personal explanations tnaC
If they had been present they would have voted for
Mr.. roosevelt bill, which was passed on NedneS-
The Special Assembly Committee investigating
the circumstances attending the death OF hughes aG
the Utica Asylum, held secret session TINS alter
noon. DR.. f. \. Brush, first assistant physician,
and Joseph H. Swan jr, of the board OF Managers
of the Asy iun, examined, but their testimony
was not made public.