New-York tribune., 1892-03-30
PRICE THREE CENTS.
THE MAYNARD WHITEWASH
OUTRAGEOUS CHARACTER OF The " INvESTI.
CATION" AT ALBANY.
An ATTEMPT TO DEFEND THE CULPRIr's CRIMEa
BY AN ATTACK on THE BAR ASSOCIATION
AND ITS WHEELER II.
PECKHAM on THE sTAND-Too
MUCH FOR THE SEN
ATE THIEVES.

ATE THIEVES.
CFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT oy THE TarBuyEI
Albany, March 29.-The Senate thieves are not
merely frightened; they appear also to have lost
thelr wits. They began their so-called investiga-
tion of Judge Maynard this afternoon. Every
body knew. Of course, that there was not going
to he anything like real investigation. if they
could help it; but TO see them turn the inquiry
from consideration of Maynard's acts into Q
violent attack upon the personal character and
reputation of Wheeler II. Pcckham and the dis
tinguished committee of New-York law.
ycrs whose report the Bar Asso-
citation has acted created much contemptuous
amazement They actually undertook TO defend
Maynard by showing that Mr. Peckham dislikcd
David b. Hill that Randolph Robinson had been
member of the firm Of lawyers who had repre-
sented Jacob Sharps Broadway railroad: that
Albert Stckney had expressed opinion Of
Maynard's guilt some time during the Bar Associ-
atoms Investigations, hut before it's report was
adopted; and that Clifford A. Hand was brother
in-law Of Matthew Hale, who had appeared as one
Of the Republican counsel before the Court Of
Appeals.
Not the slightest effort was made during
the entire afternoon TO present any evidence
whatever bearing directly or remotely on the
crimes attributed to Maynard. 1t became perfectly
plain from the outset that, after all these days OF
consulting and caucusing, after all these myster-
ious interviews between Hill, Sheehan Murphy,
Maynard and McCurdy they were going to base
their whole case the allegation that the Bar
Association is a society of Democratic Mugwumps
M'CURDY OUGHT TO BE SICK
McCurdy, by the way, is ont Of it. lie sent
telegram TO Chairman Roesch to-day, announcing
that he was sick. Probably he is. Certainly, il
he isn't, il is both a shame and
pity. He would have been sicker still il
he had heard Mr.. Peckhams frank testi-
nony to-day that he did not appoint McCurdy on
the Bar Association committee because he con-
sidered him paIticers criminis. Lacking Mr.. Nc
Curdy's sympnthctic assistance the Democratic
majority Of the joint committee was compel'ei 10
get along with Hugh Reilly and James w. Rilg-
way. of Brooklyn. The Intellectual and moral
altitude of these gentlemen is just about that Of
the Honorable Tom Grady and the still more
Honorable Peter Mitchell. If anything could he
destroyed which never had an existence, they
completely demolished their Gaze to-day. Every
question they asked drew forth crushing reply.
Mr.. Peckham was their only witness, and when
they had done with him they were well content
10 stop for the day Mr.. Coudert. rising earnestly
sisted that he might Re allowed 10 take the
stand. 50 that he could catch night train for the
city; hut the committee and its counsel had no
wish for another conflict with Democratic
Mugwump." One pill of that kind was quite
enough in twenty-four hours.
The session held in the Senate Chamber
Sheehan and Murphy sat near the Democratic mem.
bers OF the committee, where they not only could
watch and hear but occasionally write notes and
take individual members off for whispering con.
sulations. The session opened with sharp
colloquy between General Hustled and Senator
Cantor. Hustled remarked in significant torres
that he had no doubt the majority of the CON-
mittce perfectly understood that there was no
statue cf the State or rule of the Legislature that
enabled Joint committee u compel attendance
or enforce any process.
cantor inquired whether Hustled meant 20 s-rve
notice on witnesses that they need not attend or
answer unless they desired TO do So
II simply stlte the .act,7 said Hustled.
Several inferences might he drawn from it,,
am glad you have thus expressed YOURSELF
said Cantor, for it shows your attitude to this
investigation.
Mr. llusted's eyes shot fire 81" do not propose
10 take any mpudence from the Senator he
said, sharply. lie will do well TO have caro-
how he talks l want it to go on record that this
committee is without authority 10 enforce it's
mandates, a fact which all of you perfectly UNDER
stood when you adopted this method of conducting
your investigation
BEGINNING OF THE FARCE
Having made his point plain the General sat
down. and Chairman Roesch invited Mr.. Reilly 70
begin his work. Mr. Reilly called for Wheeler H.
Pcckham and the president of the Bar Association
with huge bundle of papers under his arm.
walked forward. lie said that the association Of
which he was the executive officer was chartered
institution, that 1t had about l,l0O nlcm-
bers. He remembered the meeting of the associa.
ton held on March 5. 1t was regular meeting,
II was the meeting at which resolution
was offered to appoint committee ia
investigate the acts of Mr.. Maynard as
counsel for the Democratic organization and for
the state Board Of Canvassers in order to 900
whether his conduct was such as 10 call for ac,ion
the part of the association About 400 MEM
bers were present at this meeting. 1t was r-
solved TO investigate Judge Maynards conduct
by special committee lie appointed
the committee. 1t was of his own seec.
tion. but several of the members had been rec,
ommendcd by others. Mr.. Coudert had suggested
Mr.. Hand, and. now that he came to think
of it, Mr.. McCurdy had made some
suggestions In fact. Mr.. Bowers. Mr.. Root and
Mr. lIornblower had been proposed by McCurdy.
III Bowers however had declined TO serve. stat.
ing as his reason that he had already expressed
his opinion as TO the matters involved.
Up TO this point the examination had proceeded
in an entirely amiabc way, but now Mr. Reilly
squared himself for an effort. Did you not
know he said, that others besides Mr.. Bowers
had expressed opinions?'
No, the witness did not know anything Of the
kind. Did he believe the committee to be an
impartial one? lie certainly did. Did he make
any inquiries TO ascertain whether il was impair
tial or not He made inquiries; the
mittee was composed of gentlemen known 10 him
personally and known by him TO be gentlemen o4
the highest character and lawyers of the highest
ability and Of their full competence, of their