New-York tribune., 1886-08-13
STRAHAN DEFIES THE MAYOR
DIFFICULTIES IN PROCEEDING WITH THE
SQUIRE CASE.
THE LAWYER WANTS AN ADJOURNMENT AND RE-
FUSES TO GO oN-sQUIRE TAKES THE STAND,
BUT DECLINES TO ANSWER MANY
QUEsTIoNs-HE MAKES MR..
IL

QUEsTIoNs-HE MAKES MR..
PECKHAM BLUSH.
There was a full house in the Mayors Office yestes
day when the hearing of the charges against Comms.
soner Squire resumed The case had be en- broken
of at interesting point and it in anticipation Of
an animated cross-exnmination that the crowd
gathered. When Mayor Grace called up the case Mr..
Strahan, Colonel Ingerso and Mr. Newcombe had
been In earnest conference for several minutes Mr.
Strahan arose.
am not ready proceed just at this moment your
Honor" he said The reasons assigned when asked
you to adjourn on Tuesday still obtain. My time
that day was fully occupied in obtaining bail for my
client and in attending to matters connected with the
indictment. Yesterday was obliged TO leaye the city,
so that l have not yet had chance to consult with
those associated the case with me- and before can
60 on must confer with them have made earnest
efforts to get copy of the indictment against Mr..
Squire but thus far my efforts have proved quite
unavailing. am anxious. to 60 on as your Honor
is-tar anxious 1 beeve-and to finish these
proceedings. I will therefore ask an adjournment
until Monday or Tuesday, when | promise to 20 on
continuously to the fnish7
Mr.. Peckham opposed the notion He said that Mr.
Squire had given bail counsel did not say that he
engaged counsel knew the indictment of his client was
a matter of certainty
Mr. Strahan Pardon me but have not the facilities
for private consultation with the Distlct-AtorneJ
which the Mayor and his lawyers enjoy. To
written request that the Grand Jury do the passing
courtesy of hearing what could say in defence
we had not even the scant decency of reply. We
have not been the inside of the Disrict-Attoneys
office nor have we moved witnesses back and forth
from this office to the Grand Jury like tho
wooden cashier on toy bank
Mr. Peckham-Well you give no sufficient reason for
asking adjournment at least before we have been
allowed to cross-examne Mr.. Squire You had finished
your direct examination when you made your last re-
quest for adjournment and have not permitted TO
test his extraordinary tale.
Mr. Stra han-That is true, but at that moment au-
other agency, not sought by u.s. into operation.
1t then entirely within my option to stay these
proceedings 20 wished TO see if in some way
We could not proceed. am confident that that way
will be clear to after consultation with those upon
whom greatly rely for advice and counsel shall DO
ready to 20 forward continuously on Tuesday
Mr. Peckham-You wish to adjourn without giving
Us a chance to examine Mr.. Squire
Mr. Strahan You shall not dictate how an to pro-
ceed That is for ne
Mr. Peckham Cinterrupting-Are you speaking for
yourself or for your client
Mr. Strahan without noticing the questionl-to
decide.
Mr. Peckham-I must stigmatze the counses
as dlsingenuOus | asked him ii he demanded the adj
ournment for his for his clients benefit and he
makes reply, but simply says in an indefinite. in
distinct, uncertain way that he is not ready. Have
the people rights heIel If this man is unfit for
Office is the public to wait get him cut till it suits
his convenience to have the charges aga inst him
heardi
Mr. Strahan-The bringing of criminal charge
against my client puts face to face with serious
responsibility which l mean honorably to discharge.
You placed in this situation We were ready
enough to go on However, your Honor has made
precedent for your own guidance. When you broughs
charges yourself against General Shaler you made
three different adournmens, postponiug the hearing
for months until the case had twice been heard in
the courts do not ask any such indulgence as this,
but only what every decent man will consider an
honest reques-that you adjourn for three days that
may consider my duties with the distinct pledge that
will then 20 ahead
Mr. Peckham-There can be no proper COMPARISON
between General Shalcrs and this. 1t is by no
means so important. I insist Mr.. Mayor. that va
should at least have an opportunity to cross examine
Mr. squire
difference between the Shaler aud this. lie was
arrested the vcry day he summoned 10 appear
before This hearing is SO far advanced that ths
prosecution had closed It's case and the defence has
examined its chief witness. granted the atJoi1mene
on Tuesday upon positive assurance that you would
to-day l decide that You must 40 So ue-
cline 20 grant the motion for an adjournment.
Mr. STahan setting back in his chall-Al right;
then your Honor can proceed
The Mayor-Ca your witness.
Mr.. Srahan-l guess not. The hearing was ad,
Iourned while my witness was on the stand tie Will
come back when call him not not when you do Tho
He proceeded to do so BY thrusting one thumb in
his waiscoat armhole and picking up newspaper;
glam. and Mr. reckham looked disguised The Cor
| poraton Counsel seemed amused. Finally Mr. Peck
ham said that the defence had closed It's case. it
When he got that far Mr.. Strahan remarked that he
had not closed his case and should not till he got
ready "You can close IL if you like he confirmed,
| turning TO Mr. Peckham "lou and the Mayor may
close it, but you cannot shut me out of court and TO be
frank cont care u tx what you do - ,.
darted alter him. The Mayors secretary went after
| both For half an hour nothing was said on either
side The Mayor busted himself in signing warrants
Mr. Strahan read his paper After while both tho
lawyers back and consulta atoms took place on
| each side. Then Mr.. Peckham called MIR. Shear
man" " This was Commissioner SLearmans SON iie
advanced 10 the witness stand. but Mr.. Suahan obects
ed You have closed your case he said what
ri int have You to call Witnesses" !" The Mayor decided
| that the objection not well taken and the witness
was sworn. In answer to Mr. Pechhams questions no
sand that he had left the courtroom half au hour be:
fore IN accordance with Mr. Millers instructions and
had gone TO the Department OF Public Works ON thu
south side of the Court House he had met Nh Brcwn
| the Mayors messenger; who was going alter SUP. %
| pana for Mr. squire. The witness went on 10 the
| department. He Mr. Newcombe 90 IN the ifoht
| door and imagining that Mr. Squire would presently
slip ont of the entrance, he went there and saSed
| for time, bu, Mr. Squire did not come down
Michael W. Brown sworn aud sad ne was mSs'
sengcr n, the Mavors Office lie had been sent by Mr..
| Miller to get "a subpoena tor Mr.. Squire After ses
curing il he was told by Miller to zee where Mr. New,
| combe gong. He followed Mr. neweomDc aug
| saw him enter the Department of Public Works.
Afterward he saw Mr.. Newcombc come out again fis
went upstairs and asked LOT nr' M squire al" was 'oa
! that they did not know where he was; ~
III is now apparent sand Mr. Peckham, hom the
extraordinary course pursued by counsel for the de.
| fence thnt there s in attempting to proceed
| mr,her to.day These gentlemen have evidently con-
| sidercd il consistent with their honor to take Mr..
Smir, out of the reach OF subpoena. desire TO make
two requests First, formally demand to know where
| MIR squire is that may serve him. Failing in that,
L I,Nhi iln a