The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-10-16
'SMITH STILL ON TRIAL
CHARGED wIru FALsEswEARINa.
That's tho Way the So.cAIIed Investigation
of the Mayor Looks to a spectator.
Onicsr JunEinS on the stand Lat
EvsDipE-Ths O.her Testimony.

Much better arrangements were made
yesterday for the meeting Of the Council
Investigating Committee last night. The
Committee met in the old hall Of the House
OF Delegates, and spectators were limited
to the gallery, only witnesses, members OF
Council and reporters being admitted to
the body Of the hall in addition to those
connected with the investigation. The
gallery was quickly packed to its utmost
capacity. The members, lawyers and par
ties to the proceedings gathered gradually
and chatted cheerfully till few minutes
after o'clock, when Mr.. DObbins called
the Committee to order and announced
that Chairman Hildreth would not be
present. He nominated Mr.. Bingell for
Chairman pro tenn, and Mr.. BingeIl was
elected. The illness OF Mr.. Hildreth's
wife was the cause Of his absence.
THE RESULT.
The progress OF tho inquiry last night
brought out little OF importance, but some
facts OF interest. For one thing, Smith
went to the trouble to prove what was
long ago publicly stated in the ISTELLI-
GESCGR-that the editor OF this paper Wis.
tied Hattie ScOtts house in company with
the Mayor. II he perseveIes he may lind
evidence that the same gentlemen visited
another house or two on the same Grand.
The fact is, as was shown to some extent
last night, that at the time Of the police
investigation Captain Smith and his force
were bringing influences to bear to pre-
vent witnesses from appearing. twas to
guard against his operations that this visit
was made, and the ium 4tes OF this house
were informed that if Capt Smith under.
took to punish them for testifyiDg his mo.
tive would be pisced before the public
and all would be- done that legally could
be to guarantee them that Immunity to
which any witness is entitled, OF freedom
from persecution in retaliation for their
testimony.
Capt. Smiths counsel were also consid'
crate enough to make it possible to con,
firm by the public testimony Of one Of
Capt. Smiths men Tho report printed in
the INTELLIG ENCEH OF the bulldozjng visit
OF the Chief aud Officer Junkins to Miss
Ida Holiday. At this rate there is every
prospect that by the time the Mayors 10.
vestiuatiou is finished there will be no
charge against the Chief leiS unproven.
Capt. Smith's side is doing nobIy for the
Mayor aud the public, but badly for Capt.
Smith.
LAST NIGHTS SESSION.
Only four witnesses were examined last
night, though eight or nine were present,
The call OF the roll showed all the mem.
bers present but the Chairman and Mr..
Miller. Tho minutes OF the previous
nights meeting were read and approved.
MIR. Bingell asked il the prosecution was
ready 10 proceed. Col. White desired to
know what witnesses were present, and
Wharfmaster CroCkard called over the list.
Out OF twenty-five called but four respond.
ed 10 their names.
Then Col Arnett and Col. White con.
suited in whispers with Porter Smith for
while, during which time Mr.. Miller, OF
the committee, appeared.
Col. White called attention to tho small
number OF witnesses in attendance, and
said 1t was utterly impossible TO proceed
with the investigation without witnesses.
He desired 10 know what power there was
to compel the attendance OF witnesses.
COMPELLING WITNESSES To ATTEND.
Mr.. Bingell said 80 far rs no knew, no
such power existed.
Col. White thought il Council had the
power to try and remove officials it neces-
sarily followed that it had the power to
compel the attendance OF witnesses. He
wanted the committee to decide ii such
power existed.
Mr.. Bngell declined to express an opin-
ion. Mr.. Jones suggested that President
Sweeney, OF the Second Branch OF Coun-
Gil, who was present, be heard. Mr..
Sweeney thought perhaps such power ex-
subject, and he did not know how such
power could be exercised. He did not
recollect any case where such power had
been brought TO bear.
Mr.. Hubbard thought il the prosecution
really desired to get witnesses they were
taking the surest method not to do so by
telling the witnesses and the public that
they could not compel witnesses to at
tend. Nobody could tell whether Council
had this power till it was tried on. Sure,
" no witness could be induced to attend
II he did not desire to, by telling him he
could not be compelled to.
Col. White said his idea was not to
publish the fact abroad, but to learn the
truth, and il that were the proper pro.
ceeding to AJAX for rule against each
absent witness.
Mr.. List moved that the committee
hear such witnesses as were present, and
refer the legal point raised to the City
Solicitor for report by tomorrow evening.
Col. Arnett rather demurrCd. The pros
ecution desired to observe some order in
their inquiries. However, il SO ordered,
they would 90 ahead.
Ii was 80 ordered, and Robert Junkins,
q member OF the City Police force Off and
on for fifteen years, was sworn and took
the stand.
OFFICER JuNKIEs' EVIDENCE.
Junkins told Of an arrest by him Of a
man named Henry for disorderly conduct.
Henry was fined, and sent to the Work.