The record-union., 1891-03-08
BRUHBR INVESTIGATION.
The Committee Dispenses With the
Aid of Outside Lawyers.
Considerable Testimony Taken-The
Defense to Have Hearing on
Tomorrow Evening.

~-''NO POiiNO SCdHNstl IllSU III lllc
courtroom at the Capitol last evening at
So'clock. There was a large number of
persons in attendance, and the proceed
lngs were listened to patiently till the
end of the session of the committee.
Chairman Bledsoe said the committee
had met for the purpose OF examining
into certain charges made by the San
Francisco Examiner against Assembly
man Bruner. 1t was desirous that the
committee proceed with as much dispatch
es possible, and hc thought the Chair
should reserve the right to determine
questions that might arise as to the proper
limit of the examination of witnesses, the
committee having the right to overrule.
AT the suggestion of Mr.. Robertson, the
committee then went into executive ses-
sion for the purpose of arranging pre-
nlnlnary matters of procedure.
While the committee was absent in an
adjoining room large delegation ar
rived from San Francisco, including Mr..
Henderson, managing editor of the E.c-
Clnliner, Chief of Police Crowley and
members of the Police Commission.
On returning to the room, Mr.. Bledsoe
said the committee had arrived at the con-
clusion that it could get at the truth of
the matter without the aid of counsel on
the part either of the Examiner or Mr..
Bruner If they permitted attorneys to
get into wrangles, the investigation could
not be concluded in the time the Legisla-
ture would sit.
Grove l.. Johnson, who was present as
counsel for the Examiner, rose to make
some remarks, when he was interrupted
by Chairman Bledsoe, who informed him
of the action of the committee in execu-
tive session, but he would leave it to the
committee TO datnrDlinp
Mr.. Johnson said he wished to make a
statement, and thought the committee
should accord him the privilege to do So.
a member of the committee asked what
was the nature of the statement he de-
sired to make.
Mr.. Johnson replied that the Examiner
people had been summoned here to give
testimony III regard to certain charges
made by that paper against Mr.. Bruner,
and regarded it no more than right that
they should be represented by counsel.
They simply asked to be given fair
show, and he requested that the COM
mittee reconsider its action. If the ac-
cused be guilty, his accusers should be
given an opportunity to prove it, and if
innocent, that fact should be proven, no
matter how long it might take. Give the
ff0miier an opportunity to prove its
charges.
Chairman Bledsoe said he himself was
of the impression that counsel should be
permitted.
Mr.. Bruner said the Examiner had al
ready made its case in the newspapers.
He had not asked to have counsel, and
was perfectly willing the committee
should hear the testimony. The Exam
a3leg should be able to present its testi-
many that evening, and he could present
his on Monday evening. He did not
wish to have this cloud rest upon him
after the Legislature adjourned, but
wanted the matter settled at once.
Hiram Johnson desired to be heard, but
the Chairman told him he could not be
recognized at that time. The committee
room waS not court of justice.
Hiram Johnson retorted that he agreed
with the Chairman that this was not a
court of justice.
Several members of the committee OBJ
jected to the remarks of Mr.. Johnson, as
rejecting upon the committee, and it was
stated that they could get along without
outside talent.
TESTIMONY OF MR.. HENDERSON.
The first witness called was Mr.. Hem
derson, Managing Editor of the Ecdn,-
9,ser, who testified that on Sunday last he
authorized the acting city editor, Mr..
Ward, who had informed him as to the
rumors he had heard of jobbery in the
police positions, to draw S400 and use it
in following up the matter. A Mr..
Charles j. Stillwell was detailed to in
vestigate the matter. and he was told to
write it up fairly and impartially. The
witness said he did not know Mr.. Jones.
In reply to questions by the committee
witness said that Mr.. Lawrence knew
nothing of the matter until it had been
worked up. He had not seen Louis or
Daniel Jones, nor Mr.. Belau, and could
not say that he had authorized Mr.. Still
well to employ any person he might
wish to. The latter reported to witness
Il tNlx
to go ahead; could not say that any money
had been paid to any of the persons
named. The desire was to expose all the
parties concerned-not one more than the
other.
Chairman Bledsoe asked the witness to
produce the letter alleged to have been
written by Mr.. Bruner to the Police
Commissioners. The letter was pro-
duced, witness saying that it was handed
to him by Mr.. Stillwell on the latter's re-
turn from Sacramento.
The letter heretofore published) was
read to the committee.
Witness also produced the first letter
received (signed by one Jasper, which he
said had started the investigation. The
letter bore no date, and witness said he
received it, yesterday March 9TH from
Mr.. Ward.
1t was decided to hold the letter until
the city editor should be called.
Mr.. Henderson, in reply TO question,
said the city editor has authority to in
veStigate matters without consulting
him. The two letters already produced
were all the documents, witness said, that
he had received III relation TO the matter,
with the exception of the protest of the
Woolworth-Croc Bank of the certifi-
cate presented for payment, and 4 copy of
the complaint in u suit brought by Still
we'll against Mr.. Bruner for the recovery
of the money, brought by the authority
of the witness.
The committee decided that the latter
document was proper evidence in the
case.
TESTIMONY OF MIR. WARD.
Thenext witness called was j. wizard,
assistant city editor of the Examiner,
He said he received the Jasper letter last
Saturday in the mail. That was the first
intimation he had had of the police mat
ter. He did not know Jasper, but he had
been located The letter was given to
Stilwell and he was told TO go out and in
vestigate the matter. and instructions were
also telegraphed TO MeSsrs. Lawrence and
Alexander in Sacramento to inquire into
the matter OF the alleged sale of places on
the police force by Mr.. Bruner, as one
Jones had stated was being done.
Witness said he had told Stilwell TO
consnlt the Chief of Police. He Ward
had nothing 10 do with the money part of
the transaction.
This was abouts all that witness had to
do with the matter, as it passed out of his
hands as soon as it began to look serious.
StilweH had been employed on the Er-
dnai1te1 for about three months.
After identifying the Jasper letter the
witness was excused.
POLICE COMMISSIONER CALLED.
r. P. Hammond, President of the San
Francisco Police Commissioners. was
called to testify, and said he had road the