New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-08
THE GIBBS-COWIE CONTEST.
BOOKS OF THE XuITH DISTRICT ASSOCIATION
PRODUCED AND PUT IN EVIDENCE BEFORE
THE INNESTIG ATING COMMITTEE.

PRODUCED AND PUT IN EVIDENCE BEFORE
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
The subcommittee Of the Ncw-York Republican
County Committee which has under consideration the
contest between the Gibbs and COwle factions In The
XIIIth Assembly District Continued its investigation
Yesterday afternoon at No. 26D Eightlave. The
work Of the committee Is 10 investigate charges o.
fraud alleged TO have been committed In tho XlIiii
District al the last primary election for deegateS 10
the Republican County Convention, held on January
49, The investigation began last Wednesday night,
and was adjourned until yesterday afternoon.
Frederick D. House. Henry Clinton Backus and
James H. Duffy appeared for the sitting delegates and
Henry L. sprague and F. J. nnsda for the contesing
delegates. The meeting was called for O'Clock. but
Mr.. spragpe said he not ready to proceed with Ms
side Of the because the secretary of the AiIth
Assembly District Republican Association had not yet
appeared with the roll and minute books OF tho aS>o
cation the production Of which on that occasion had
been agreed upon at the previous meeting "ipbs
counsel wanted 70 20 on without waiting for the minute
books Counsel for the contestants refused 10 proceed
claiming that the evidence Of their first witness, Mr.
Duffy one Of Gibbs's counsel bore directly upon the
books.
The secretary not having arrived at ten minutes TO
a. it was proposed 10 adjourn, and the chairman OF thc
committee directed the Gibbs faction to produce the
books at the next meeting. As soon a. this course
WINS decided upon Mr.. Gibbs. who had been standing
banpy 10 say that the secretary on his way 70 the
meeting with the books, and that ne would surely be
there in few minutes The committee decided 10
wait and in about three minutes the secretary came
ia with the books under his arm.
Counsel for the contestants Immediately asked that
the books be put in evidence Gibbs counsel were
primed with a number OF arguments why this course
should not be pursued general offer OF the roll
and minutes as evidence not proper Mr. Backus
said II the other side wanted TO use the roll and
minutes as evidence. they should state a specific
case Of fraud which they ended 10 prove. The
chairman OF the committee suggested that the counsel
for contestants should begin In the in the regular
way, by calling their witnesses whereupon they called
James X. Duffy one Of Gibbs's counsel. who was
secretary Of the District Association FOR fOur wear,
previous TO the 10th of last January. Mr.. Dui''s
testimony related 10 the roll and minute books. lie
testified that the roll correct far As he knew
but admitted that it had been ont Of his possession
for short time several occasions.
After Mr. DufIys examination waa finished Mr.
Baclus argued that all tho committee had right 10
Investigate to the honesty Of the election con
election The other side had failed 10 Investigate the
correctness Of the roboOl before the election and
there errors I'm il they had the benefit OF them a.
well as GbbS's side. The committee, however az
cepted the books in evidence and ordered the sccrc
Of the district association TO produce at the next
meeting the pledges signed by those whose names were
on the roll. II decided that representatives. fn
both sides should meet the committee tomorrow NJ
/ 80 D. m, at the Office If sherman Evarts, No. -
Wall-st, to examine the roll and minute books. The
committee then adjourned 10 meet AT No 260 Eighth
ave- at O'Clock next Wednesday evening.