Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-11-09
PLATT AGAINST KILpuFF.

Association Laid Bare-A Mass of Evil | dence Introduced Before Jndge Tenn. |
 The trial of the celebrated case of Edward B. Platt against Edward Fenn in the district court room to day. The plaintiff claims that 153 votes for Edwin F. Platt at the recent election should be counted for him, that he be declared elected clerk of the city of Waterbury for 1899. The defense makes general denial of the allegations of the petitioner. Attorney O'Neill, counsel for Mir Kllduff, wanted the case decided upon pleadings and quoted authorities sustaining his posi- ton. Judge Fem, while admitting that the authorities were sound, said that he preferred to hear the evidence, as it was complicated case, and he wanted to be fully informed upon all its phases before giving his decision. Attorney Kellogg then proceeded to examine his witnesses, to the delight of the large number of spectators present. The cross examination was conducted by Attorney Root.
 Edward B. Platt was the first witness for the defense. He said he was a member of the nominating committee appointed by the republicans to bring in | nominations at their caucus. He was nominated for city clerk.
 The next witness was James J. Egan. | He testified that he was secretary of a caucus held by the organization known as the Citizens and Taxpayers associa- | tion. The caucus was held Friday evening, October ?, and nominations were made. Witness was also secretary of the nominating committee. D. F. | Webster was nominated for mayor and | when Platt's name was suggested for second place on the ticket there was a | discussion as to which was Platts first name. James F.Donohue got directory and the name Edwin F. Platt was found and placed on the ticket. Witness testi- l fled that James F. Dolan was the com mittee on printing and the ticket given to hIm. Witness testified that thirty or forty were present at the caucus.
 Attorney O'Neill asked MT Egan to give the names of the 30 or 40 present Mir Egan said that unless the court said so, he should refuse to tell as the caucus was sworn to secrecy.
 Judge Fenn replied that the witness had already told of several persons being present, he should think he would not object to tell the rest as he had al ready broken secrecy. Witness then said that Benjamin Sedgwick, Eugene Sullivan, c. c. Commerford, c. c. Adams, Timothy O Rourke and John F. Charters were among those present. He could not remember all who were there.
 In reply to a question whether the independent club intended to endorse | the republican nominee for city clerk witness said that that was the intention. He did not know whether the candidate was Edwin F. Platt or Edward B. Platt, but was of the opinion that it was the latter. He prepared the copy for the printing committee and wrote the name Edwin F. Platt" under instructions of other members of the club who had consulted directory. The tickets were received from the printer Saturday, but the error was not discovered until 10 o'clock Monday morning when a new lot were ordered printed, by Con- nolly, the witness believed. Objection was made to a question put to the wit ness as to what ticket he had voted at the recent election and the question was not pressed. In the redirect examina- tion Attorney Kellogg asked witness who he had voted for for city clerk. He replied, Edward B. Platt, but objection was made by Attorney O'Nelll and the evidence was not allowed. The witness was then excused.
 The next witness was Edwin F. Platt. He stated that he had no intention of being a candidate for city clerk. In the afternoon of election day a number ot persons told him that his name was on one of the tickets.
 Miles F. Connolly was then called and said that the first meeting of independ- ents was attended by about fifteen voters. At the second meeting the name "Citizens and Taxpayers association was adopted. Representatives from the four wards of the city were present. A committee was appointed to bring in a list of nominees. The report was made the Friday night before election. The town ticket and school ticket were adopted as a whole, while the candi- dates on the city ticket were voted for separately. The republican candidates for mayor and city clerk were endorsed. The committee on printing consisted of William Cosgrove, John F. Charters, James F. Dolan and M. F. Connolly. The ticket was prepared from the secre- tary's copy by James F. Dolan. Wit ness had the tickets; printed saw proof between and o'clock Saturday after noon. The tickets were distributed Sunday night in large numbers to the "vest pocket voters" Attention of the witness was called to the mistake in the city ticket about a quarter to nine Mon day morning. A messenger was imme- diately sent to the printers to have a new set of tickets printed. In answer to question by Attorney Kellogg Con molly stated that he had voted fol Edwin F. Platt intending to vote fol the republican nominee. Attorney Root objected, but the question was al lowed. In reply to Judge Fenn, Con
 nolly stated that he believed that he was voting for the man who formerly kept a store near him on South Mair street. The ballots were bought by wit ness last year, but were not used at that time. He testified that D. J. Mahaney
 Patrick Sherlock, Emmons Chipman James F. Dolan, James J. Egan, Chris Russell, John F. Charters, Timothy Horigan, Edward Pierce, Charles Church, Kevin Drury and William Hogan were members of the club.
 c. Collard Adams was the next wit ness. MT Adams testified that he was ], present at the meeting held October 9 The question of MT Platt's first name was discussed and the directory looked up. Witness was given list with reso } lutions to take to the Sunday Herald l Cof F0 k<