The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-06
MCANN WANTS TO BE TRIED.
SELECTS THE CRIME or PERJURY As
ONE THAT CAN'T BE PROVED.

A Letter from Hts Lawyer Inviting the
Mayor 10 Prosecute-The May Grand
jury Instructed SIrnIHcantIy By Judge
FitHEerRld-Tho Mayor win Not Talk.
Lawyer John d. Townsend, counsel for
Brother-in-law Mccain. wrote n letter to
Mayor Grant yesterday. in which he stated
that as 1t had been intimated by tho Mayor
and by other wellknown TRmmauy mon that
MoCann had testified falsely under oath be-
fore the Fassett committee. It was clearly the
Mayors duty. as tho hoad OF tho city Govern
msnt, to take steps for tho punishment OF Nc
Cam for perjury. Tho letter also says that
any such movement will be aided BY tho
writer. who is willing to guarantee that Nc
Cam will be present to answer any such charge
Mayor Grant refused yesterday to say any
thing about this communication. Ex-Judgo
Leicester Holme. his private Secretary, sail
last night that tho Mayor had the letter under
advsement.
In charging the Grand Jury for the May
torn Judge Fitzgerald sad:
The statute requires you to particularly ex-
anime all criminal charges made against pub
Ito officers. TO enable officials properly to dis
charge their duties no faint OF suspicion should
be permitted to long rest upon them. False
accusation, II made under circumstances
which bring the slanderer under the power OF
tho law, should be promptly punished. whilo
charges well founded and capable Of proof
should be prosecuted with vigor. Justice re-
uuires that the fullest protection he eAtcnded
to wronRfully assRiled public servant ani 1t
is scarcely necessary TO add that the continu-
ancs in power OF dishonest one after the dis
coyery OF his offences would be humiliation
and disgrace"
Judge Fitzgerald appointed Char les B. Eos
dick leather merchant. of &c Spruce street.
foreman. Mr.. Fosdick has been foreman fro
The cabied interview with Richard Croker
which was published IL the Sun Yesterday AS
the one interview with him that has been
published that bears upon Its face tho STAMP
heard Mr. Croker talking when road it,"
said Leicester iolme vest .rduy, MI Croker
taxes, and it was favorite subject win hin
when c,onyerstng with friends he few words
view have :! familiar rins about them. '"''i
The Mayor stuck o his resolution not to be
Interviewed. and avery attempt mala TO in
drre him to talk for publication resulted IN
failure.
L viii not be drawn into any public contro-
versy with Tho follow he said.
county Clerk Reilly said lust night that no
all the commotion it created, Il Am inclined
to take an imuartial view OF the situation he
said, and con -idcr the matter lniepnudcnt 0f
politics. McCann has mad" certain state
ments rejecting upon the integrity Of II proni-
uent city Official. These statements are de-
MED. and IN the absence "i any proc tHat
1t is one mans word against auothrrs, and
surely tho Mayors word is as good us A.C-
Cams.
The feeling among tho County democrats is
ole OF sympathy for MIR. Croker, Tor IL ia heid
that tho extraordinary attack made on him ny
4 personal enemy while he IS abroad and Ill Is
obviously unfair Frederic Il. CouGert said
that he did not believe tina, he mere statemC Mt
OF a case proved It. lie believed it was simply
case between Mccain, "a private citizen and
gentleman who has heen hon9red by his fellow
citizen. wit h the hign Office of Mavor.
" believe the motive Of the accuser is bad"
h" said. " lie is not making these statements
for the public good but to sor," n revenge III
purpose. If Mr.. Croker wnle here he would.
am sure, promptly Put u stop to the whole
business. As 1t is, l tn nk that his unGuaitNcl
denial of tho truth OF Mc( aims charges ought
TO satisfy the public. kichard CroEer has been
charged with many things but d mt ba love
be has been accused OF lying | havo no diff
Guilty in choosing which statement 10 believe,
MCCann's or the Mayors.
1t WAS hard t. find any person whose opinion
counts who did not h"iievo that nlrtann will
prove u two edged tool. and that the men who
are using him 10 bincksn the Mayer and g. .
man who is not at han. 10 dutcnd hmsc!tw!l
be badly hurt Tnlo-a they drop MIN.
A well-knnwn local politician said last night
that he thought McCann's object was 10 get HS
much advertising A. pO~sll'l" ont OF tn" matter
and, then on Tie strength OF his nOturiety. oIea
q saloon.