New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-20

wbo was heoinnino IN show signs Of anger and
impatience at Mr.. Holmes curious and qulbphng
replies. "Haye YOU not known of Mr.. Grant and
Mr. Fish having been closeted and in consulta-
tom"
What's this about" said Mr. Choatc, looking
astorisbed "Tbis does not bear on this particu-
lar part of the investigation
1T has reference to something that will be
taken I'D later" said Mr.. WINS. and can tell
YOU it will be very interesting
Have YOU ever borne message from Mayor
Grant to Mr.. Fish," be then asked the wltliess
NO" was the reply.
The questions and answers following were:
o-Do you know Henry d. Puroyi A.-oh' yes SIR
O-Do YOU know Of any consultation between Mr..
Grant Mr.. Fish and Mr. Purroyf A-No' sir.
O-Do YOU know Mr.. Gibbs Ayes, sir slightly
O.-Have you seen Mr.. Gibbs at the Mayor oWco'
Al think may have once or twice
o-How often have you seen hint Advice, at the
most
rrvate conference Mayors ofcc this wnter2 A.
rocoect the fsct that Mr.. Gibbs in and talked to
the Mayor at his desk
oyou have seen Mr.. Gibbs there twicol Ayes.
o.-You are sure it wa. not three times' ACUTE
.
o-And you are positive it was more than oncei A.
oyou remember that it was just twicei Ayes,
oNow is YOUR recollection sufficiently definite to tell
when those two occasions were1
Mr.. IfOLME is IRRITATED.
Il have sworn to the best Of my ability,
protested Mr. Home with energy. Il certainly
don't think that private secretary Of the
Mayor / should be called upon to state the
Mayors business"
is the private secrctaryship private once
asked Mr.. WINS, quickly.
tn
can define the Office very WE'LL was the re-
joinder.
is it not public Officer
ut is"
us it not paid for out of the public treasury"
Undoubtedly"
And for public duties rendered in public TO
the public public officer
You have stated it very nicely said Mr.
Holme his words great deal cooler than his
manner.
Then" proceeded Mr.. WINS, why do you
plead privilege, if you plead it, as being private
secretary to the Mayor"
Il don't plead it, but don't see that l am here
to answer such questions
Senator Fassett gently but firmly explained, MS
he has done so often before TO obstinate and lrn-
tating witnesses, that Mr.. lIolmc was there to
answer any questions that were within the
proper scope of the inquiry. Mr. Home thch
meekly enough answered Mr.. Ivinss question as
to the time of the visits of Mr.. Gibbs to inc
Mayor. by saying Il think the last visit was
recent"
Have you ever borne a message from Mayor
Grant to Mr.. Gibbs"
Never, sir"
DO YOU know how many appointments have
been made, if any, at the suggestion OF Mayor
Grant. for Mr. Fish or Mr.. Gibbs, IN the depart
ments of New-York City during the last SIN
months?'
is that within the scope of the inquiry
asked Mr.. Choate.
Il should think absolutely. SIR said Senator
Fassctt.
We'll l don't know what it is about said
Mr. Choate still with air of surprise and be-
wilderment. Seems TO me this must,be matter
of politics"
THAT. sir" said Mr.. WINS, raises n very
delicate question. The whole city government
has been made a matter OF politics. That Is why
the committee is here investigating it,
Il bring before the committee the Senate Ieso-
luton. said MI Choate. Perhaps it is my pro-
fessional ignorance of politics that prevents NE
from seeing anything in it on the line of this
examination
Mr.. WINS made q little speech here. Part OF
il was:
bav. be.n conducting a careful examination OF the
administration OF the Civ Service in this city, matter IN
which Mr. Choste Is. know. Interested want WIZ"
tho time comes md out why certain men nave pee"
APPOINTED 70 certain departments in this city ana whether
they appointed ability Or merit or '"'
That has osregarded and II So what ha7 c"i,"'
the appointment certain men in this city II the M"'"
Of this city overrides Civil Service law. he being h'
man who stands at very head Of the Cy service 30
much the more IL is d,creditsblc % him II he admins
ters IL properly much the more TO MS cFedit want
now 10 md out whether appointments have been maze
through tae Mayor In department.. and II 20 Why.
Il hone" said Mr. Choate suaycy, that that
matter viii be probed to the bottom. But now
/ sneak of visits Of Mr.. Fish and Mr.. Gibbs
thought they were both members oi thc Legs
lature and therefore above suspicion. laugh
Mr.. Choate, do you wish that logic TO 20 on
record % asked Mr.. fassctt
MR. HoLME DID NOT KNOW AFTER ALL
Mr. Cochran made plea for himself and Mr.
Choate. lie said that they had come this day
only on questions in regard TO McCann'
Mr. Fassett, with his invarablc courtesy SAID
be lad no wish to inconvenience counsel
IN nut only this one question, then, said
Mr.. WINS How many appointments were made
for Mr. Fish and Mr.. Gibbs through the Mayor
during the last six months
II have absolutely no knowledge whatever on
the subject said Mr.. HOlme
KICK FROM EXCISE COMMISSIONERS
Then Edgar NJ johnson. with Excise Commits
sioner Koch al his heels, arose and threw down
q gauntlet for the committee He suggested that
the committee should withdraw the snbpoenas
for Excise Commissioners Koch and Fitzpatrick
until the disposal OF the criminal cases against
them, and declared that he purposed to challenge
the right of the committee 10 lhvesCe",e ,iic IN
else Board. and would, If necessary, ADVISE ms
clients TO decline 10 appear before the committee.
After a great deal of talk. Mr.. WINS, for the com
mittee agreed to begin the Investigation Of the
Excise Department with other officials, and let
the Commissioners alone for the present.
WILL MRS. CROKER BE CALLED
The proceedings in the afternoon assumed
a new and strange appearance, unusual
and probably unprecedented In such in
vestigations Bourke Cochran made what
was exceedingly like summing up for " the
defence and Mr. Wins replied by something dis
tinctly resembling n speech for the prosecution.
The cause Of the oratOrical display was the ques
ton of calling Mrs. Croker. Mr. Cochran com.