Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-10-01
SENATOR HIGGINS ON THE STAND

The Levy Court committee having
charge of the now notorious tax receipt
investigation question commenced work
punctually at 10 o'clock, o. m. Monday.
Most of the more prominent witnesses
were on hand some minutes before the
time of meeting. Senator Higgins sat
disputing the price of corn with Com
mitteeman Andrew Eliason. Postmaster
Stewart, United States Marshal Mahaffy,
f. Eden Bach, Deputy Collector Ayars
and others were seen around.
All the members of the committee,
comprising Messrs Hutchison, Eliason,
Jolls, Clark, Hickman and Gillis, were
present.
Chairman Hutchison raped on the
desk, with the announcement that "the
time has arrived for us to begin work"
Mr.. Jolls Immediately offered reso-
luton that the committee be aided in its
investigations by the attorney of the
Levy Court, e. G.. Bradford, ESQ.
Mr.. Eliason-"Before the question on
this resolution be put would ask that
the minority on this committee be al
lowed an attorney"
q request. The attorney for the Levy
Court is not an attorney for the major
ity, but for the whole committee"
Mr.. Eliason-"That may be. But the
minority has no idea on what line you
are going to start out, as Mr.. Bradford
is going to PROFOUND the questions
Still, | say, let the burden fall on whom
it may, | am here neither to condemn or
defend any one"
Mr.. Jolls then had the original
resolution offered by Mr.. Sutton
read, which was done by Chairman
Hutchison. On this basis Mr.. Jolls
claimed that the committee had no
power to do other than make use of the
aid of the Levy Court attorney.
Mr.. Eliason--'I feel that questions
may probably arise that may not be
properly put. don't feel that myself
have the ability to put questions such as
l am persuaded should be put"
| Chairman Hutchinson-"M ruling is
that if Mckee and Dougherty need
counsel they are entitled to said aid"
| Mr.. Eliason-"I understood that only
the other day this committee concluded
that legal aid was not to be called in
and that the committee were to ask the
questions themselves"
The vote was then put resulting in
Mr.. Bradford's being sent for. Messrs.
Eliason and Hickman abstained from
voting on the question.
On motion the clerk of the peace was
requested to administer oaths and Mr..
Jolls elected secretary.
Mr.. Hickman-'I move that the tax
receipts be produced in order that we
may have some basis to put questions
upon
Mr. Hutchison-"I think il would be
better to wait until the constables have
made their returns"
Senator Higgins asked permission tc
address the committee. He said that he
is perfectly willing and ready, now thai
he is summoned, to tell anything he
mittee may ask. After to-day, however
he added, until Friday, he will be called
away out of town on urgent business
and he would take it as favor If il
could be arranged that his examination
be had to-day or at some date after Fri
day.
Chairman Hutchinson then called the
witnesses. Several were absent. Blu
all subsequently appeared but John j
Dougherty.
Then followed a tedious wait wher
Mr.. Hickman inquired the reason of thu
delay. 81 suggest" he said, "that during
this delay we take up the tax receipts ant
divide them into northern and southern
district divisions"
The chairman replied that some i'm
portant witnesses had yet to show up.
THE ALLIGATOR GRIP.
At that moment Deputy United
States Marshal G. NJ. d. Watson
arrived with large alligator griI
which was deposited safely behind
him in a vacant fireplace. This ever
one guessed to be the receptacle Of tn,
1000 tax receipts.
Levy Court Attorney f. G.. Bradford
next came hurriedly in (at1 $50 clock.
Addressing the committee he said:
II was informed only five minutes ag'
that my services would be needed here.
JOHN j. DoUGHEHTY CALLED.
The chairman-"John j. Dougherty 7
There was no reply.
Mr.. Hickman again protested that tn,
procedure was very unbusinesslike. 81
seems to me-" he added, "that tn
proper method would now be to ask fo
the production of the tax receipts"
Mr.. Eliason emphatically endorsed
the request.
Mr. Clark-"I ask that the witnesse
go at present on without the production
of the receipts"
Mr.. Hickman-"This is only putting
the cart before the horse. On curren
credible report these receipts are in ex
istence and so is that list of 1000 names
Let them be produced in order that tn
committee may have in hand something
tangible upon which to base their ques
tons"
Mr.. Bradford then asked that Senate
Higgins request be granted.
On motion it was ruled by the chair
i man that the investigation be proceede,
with previous to the production of til
tax receipts or of the list of 1000 names
The motion was carried through til
fact of the Republican numerical ma
jority in the committee. The Demo
cratic members declined to vote. MI
Eliason then proposed that Mr. IIicli
man be examined as he was membe
of the committee that allowed the erro
list. No notice was taken of the request
SENATOR HIGGINS SWORN.
Senator Higgins was then called :
the witness stand and sworn by Notar
Thomas Gifiin.
; The senator stood erect for momen
looking around the room when some
body offered him chair.
) ANY member of the court" calle
,, out Chairman lIutchison, as he smile
encouragingly on the two Democrat
members, ready to ask questions ?"
Mr.. Hickman-"W cannot ask ques
tions until we have the list, for tina
alone says who has or has not, accord