New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-12
TIE ASA ULT ON MR.. PLA4T
MORE POLITICS THAN PEOPLE IN IT.
THE ENEMY CONTINUE TO FIRE SMALL SHOT, WHICH
CT ANcRs uARNLEsSLY OFF.

=, Nov york Ap Platt was suave and cool headed
AS usual Governor HIPS lawyers extracted h''e
from him that could be used by them TO damage MS
defence Tho prosecution ended their case feebly al
the beginning of the day. They had Walter A. Bar
ton OF Owego, to testify clerk Of that town that
Mr. PIatt had voted several times there In recent
years This action Mr.. Plat does not deny. Then
the prosecution put the witness-stand Mr. Platts
washerwoman, who had been brought from Owego 10
testify to the important fact that she did Mr. Platts
washing When the washcrwoman had given her
sensational testimony, Mr. Mcfarland opened the case
for the defence. lie said
at been said by Dir. oBrien that this case is
simple 1t is simple one. 1t doesn't soon 10
me to present any question at all upon which we can
differ. The question is simply where Mr.. Plat lives
have heard good many curious things In the course
of this trial. but the most curious is the idea OF the
prosecution that where a man lives is a question OF
law and lot question Of fact. There isn't any doubt
where Mr. Plat lives. 1t is notorious that he lives
in New-York 1t is very odd that after Mr. Plat has
held this Office for eight years attempt to GUST him
is made on such charge that he votes In
Tioga County 1t arouses suspicion in every honest
man about the intrinsic merits of tho The name
of the people has used in this suit but they
not represented here There is every sign and token
of politics this case but will not ask you to be-
lieve that the Governor and the Attorney-General
would pervert the law as to crafty political
enmity. (Laughter)
"The law Of 1853 says the Quarantine Commissioner
must live in the metropolitan district. Why7 Be-
1t is necessary that the officer must be In New
York City constantly. What the law required was
MI Platts actual presence in New-York, his daily at
tendance at the meetings of the Board OF Quarantine
Commissioners 1t doesn't concern you citizens
where he voted Would any one be idiot enough to
say that you lived In Owego under those circum-
stances2 Would any one try to find you in 0wegoi
What does Mr. Plat say lie sold his house In 1873,
and from that year his family had no homo I'm Owego
From the spring of 1873 no lived continually In New
York Mrs. Plat sent some clothes to OwegO to DO
washed Such testimony characterzes the case as an
utterly frivolous 1 believe that every Democrat
here will do his duty the jury. l am Democrat,
the Judge is Democrat, but We are all going to do
justice by Mr.. Plat, although he is a Republican"
MR. PLAT on THE WITNESS STAND
"Mr. Platt," said Mr. Mcfarland, and quiet.
slender man walked to the ssstand Mr.. Patt
noticeably calm In giving his testimony.
"Mr. Platt," said Mr. MacFarand "what Is your
official positlon?"
a. am a Quarantine Commissioner" replied Mr..
Plat.
Il object to tho witnesses statement" cried Mr..
O'Brien.
"Well, 1 guess he is Quarantine Commissioner
till he gets out" said MIR. Moak
Tell u.s. Mr.. Platt," said Mr.. MacFarand the
circumstances of your life in NewYork and in owege7
Mr.. Plat then gave brief sketch of his life, and
said
Il live in New-York i lived IN Owego continuously
from tho time / born till September 1878, with
the exception of year in Ohio. l sod my house In
Owego in 1e77. L mover had dwelling house in
Owego after sold my house. spent the years 1879
and 1880 in a bOal ding house In New-lork
'In the fail of 1000 to the Fifth Avenue Hotel
In New York, and have been there ever since. have
only been in Owego about times ycar-shOrt
viss-for sevc'ai years back When left Owcgo
had TO 20 back there from time 70 time to examine the
Interested i several small pieces of real estate
in Owego and nominaliy president of bank there.
My brother is the cashier OF the bank and runs it.
A:REsIDENr OF NEw-YoBK.
Mr. Mac 'alland here submitted a deed transferring
some property to his son. Harry b. Plat, IN which
Thomas C. Plat declares himself to be resident of
New-lorl" Mr.. Moak said that Mr.. Plat. in
serious matter conveying property would be care
ful TO state where he lived. The deed
pecialy valuable biz of evidence 1t showed that
Mr. Pat regarded himself a resident OF New York
Mr.. Plat then resumed giving his testimony lie
said
Il have voted in owego for many years, except in
the years 1882 and 1881"
why did you vote in Owego!" inquired Mr. Mac
Farland.
Surely said Mr. Mach arland, you do not regard
Mr. Patts voting in Oweeo as conclusive that he
lived there and refuse to permit him to explain his
reasons for voting there"
Judge Mayham however, excluded the question as
to Mr. Platts reasons for voting In Owego. Mr..
Plat then stated that as for sending his s0led gar.
ments to be washed In Owego, that was an act OF
charity to poor woman who had lost her propery'
Did you tell Mr.. Easton!' inquired MI Macf ar
land L" that you would mako 1t - hot for him for
challenging your vote ~ -
Il sometimes indulge In profanity replied Mr..
Piatt, but did not on Lfat OCCASION"
CRosS-QuEsTIoNED BY Mr. oBRIEN
Mr. O'Brien-Mr Plat, how often did you have to
attend meetings of the Quarantine Commissioners
Every day. Mr. Plat replied, " from May to
November l."
Were you not absent from New-York City when
United States Senatorl
only from March 4, 1881, until the middle of
And then You had to conduct canvass for re-
electioni' A.
Did not the gentleman who nominated you for
United states Senator In the Republican caucus speak
of you as a resident IF TiOga Couniyl'
g do not know was not present In the caucus
Did you observe Mr.. Plat, that the Lieutenant
Governor in announcing your election as senator SAID
Thomas c. Platt of Tioga County ~
Did yon observe something remarkable IN that
nouncoment something that was wrong ,a,,on ,h..
Did YOU vote at a school election In Owego in
1882"
Have you been a delegate from Tioga County to
the Republican state Conventions"
Have you ever voted in any other place than
Tioga County 2"
4" Did you in affidavit yon made in Aug,
ust 1887 that had never rclinquished your legal
a. did,
Did You intend to retain your legal domicile In
Owego ~ inquired Mr.. Harris, of Mr. Plats coun-
sci
al did,
said Mr.. Harris.
Il did not"
This concluded the testimony OF Mr.. Platt John
A.. Nichols. OF Brooklyn. his fellow Quarantine Com
missioner. and John n. Knapp OF Auburn chairman
of the Executive Committee OF the Republican State
Committee testified that Mr.. Plat lived at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel
The case will reach the Jury, probably tomorrow
COLONEL HAM SAYS NO ONE WAS TO BLAME
Manager Hahn sail yesterday that he had received
the repors Of relating to the catastrophe
which caused the OF Mrs Kate sheshan at the Ninety
third Street of the Ninth Avenue Elevated Railway
on Tuesday evening and had also hooug personal