New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-23
HOW THE STORY WAS BRO UGHT OUT
ALONG STRUGGLE WITH THE WITNESS
rrr-rrya or,r A SENSATIONAL BIT OF TEsTt
MoNY WITHOUT MEANING TO DO IT
STRUCK DUMB WHEN HE SAW
HIS SITUATION.

MoNY WITHOUT MEANING TO DO IT
STRUCK DUMB WHEN HE SAW
HIS SITUATION.
All the members Of the Senate Committee were
present and the expectation that exNayor Grace
would testify had caused large attendance OK
spectators. principally composed Of men Interested
in the invest. cation Mr.. Grace did not come.
The storm delayed the telegram which told him
that he was wanted. In his absence. Assembly,
man Billy" Shcehan provided the forenoons
amusement by his tale OF how his brother was
appointed secre ary OF the Aqueduct Commission.
That recited and tested by the searching questions
Of General Tracy, Mr. Sheehan stole away and
missed the sensation of the day
Charles S. Gowen, engineer Of the first division
of the Anueduct occupied the rest OF the forenoon
and part OF the afternoon session. His testimony
was important.
BROWN, HOWARD & CO.'S BAD WORK
He said that whereas there was no bad work IN
Section |, where Smith & Brown are the con-
tractors, Sections 2 and g. let to B-own, Howard @
Co.. abounded in bad work. The two Browns are
not related. His sateL.ents in regard TO this and
some little unpleasantnesses that had occurred
between him and members Of the offending firm
in consequence of the firm stand nc took, aroused
the ire of the fiery and untamed Mclean. He
made frequent interruptions. lie Ahikcu ue tho
witness. and his frequent calculations repeatedly
caused laughter which provoked him still more
His conduct became monotonously obstrepcr-
ous that committee and counsel alike lost patience
with him, and when he eagerly asked to be put
on the stand and 20 have the stenogra pher read
from his notes OF the ques-
tions answered by Mr.. Gowen, so that he might
reply to them according 10 his version Of the case
they gladly allowed him the privilege Of testify
ing Of course 1t out OF the question 70
examine him by shorthand notebook. but he
was allowed 10 make as many explanations abous
Brown Howard & Co. as he chose. De Lancey
Nicoll nrincipally conducted the examination. and
did it brilliantly.
HIS OWN WORST ENEMY.
Mr. Mclean soon showed that he is his own
worst enemy. He has one idea. which fills his mind
and controls all his words and actions and that
IS. that ne is the Ishmael OF the Aqueduct that
the city is unlawfully withholding from him the
price of his labor. that the committee is conspirng
10 down. him. and that the Corporation Counsel
is devoting his whole energies TO building up a
case against him As an Irishman once said
every time he opened his mouth he put his foot
in It. The chairman could not restrain the
laughter which attended the witness's perform
ances General Tracy interfered in his behalf. and
suggested that he should be allowed the benefit
Of counsel But Mclean scofed at the idea. The
chairman reasoned with him and tried to explain
that he was in pcrilous position, but Mclean
wagged his head ~ Senator Fsssett. and with .
sneer wondered what deep policy lurked In his
kindly advice.
Mr. Ncoll clearly and explicitly explained
10 him that his statements were to be entirely
voluntary. and that they could be used against
him if he should be involved in q court case.
It was even pro posed 10 postpone examining him
further until he 60, lawyer. but he suspected
that Mr.. Nieoll was anxious TO have him go 10
"a lawyer from base business and political motives
| So at last Mr.. FaSsett said: Go right on
and make your statement. Mr. Witness.7
Then the man who scorned counsel plunged
deeper and deeper into the mire He PRESENT.,
found himself with the responsibility Of ths bac
work in Sections and axsd on him. n spit
Il ~ MIA 1isalatnsfA h ss1sats4ly ssaa,sl