The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-02
JOHN Y. M'BANE'S DEFENCE.
MS TRIAL ON 1HE CONTEMPT CHARGE
BEGUN ~ BROoKLTN.

Men Came to Gravesead aud Were Ar
rested for Their Own Good some OF
These Meu Swenr In TITS Brhaif-SnSs
He Was Not served with nu Injunction.
Dictator John Y. McKane OF Gravosend was
put on trial for contempt OF court yesterday.
1t was the first time in his life that he had as
sumed defensive role. and It Ia no wonder
that he did not secm TO like tho innovation.
1t must not DO supposed that he acted az IL
he we're alarmed, for ho was no less confident
OF his escape from punishment than he has
been at any time since he became the object
OF tho Indignation resulting from his alleged
conduct OF tho late election in Gravescnd. but
he has grown SO much accustomed 10 dlcta-
torship that he could not accustom himself TO
hearing people question his acts in his own
presence.
When Justice barnard opened his Special
Torn OF tho Supreme Court In room 10 Of tho
BROOKLYN Court House. two distinct sets OF
spectators filed all the chairs and much OF
the standing room. In the front seats were
the stern faced citizens who represented the
largo body that had inspired Mcknne's prose-
cutlon. In tho rear and in the gallery were
Mechanics own con tituents, men with weather
beaten faces and the odor OF the sea about
them. Nearly all OF the latter chewcd tobacco
and kept their eyes fastened in admiration
upon their chief. There was not woman
present
There we're I'VE other defendants in tho
court room. including the Chiefs first heneh-
man. Justice Richard v. b. Newton. One do
PENDANT was absent. That was Policeman IL,
and an order was issued for his arrest.
II n person unfamiliar with the facts upon
which the proceedings were based had entered
the court room after the defence was begun.
he woud have been unable to understand why
they had been Instituted. AS IL with fine
sense OF humor the defendants had refused to
mako any excuses for their alleged offences,
and had turned the tables by attempting to
show that they had been anxious to preserve
tho law against the attacks OF the complain
anta The score OF aflldevits charGing Me-
Kane. Newton. and tho others with defiant con-
tempt OF court were ofIset by a larger number
denying all the allegations contained in tho
former. and charging the leaders among the
complainants with attempting to incite riots.
Even the men who had been employed by the
latter had been induced to furnish testimony
against them.
The proceedings began shortly after 10
o'clock. Ex-Judge Troy was associated with
George ". Frederick Tor the defence OF Nc
Kane. Tho latter made separate defence.
and the devotion Of tho other defendants was
shown bv their surrender TO him OF the greater
part OF the time and argument Gen. Catlin
Represented Justice Newton and George q.
Eldridge. and James II. GlendenninG appeared
for the others. Mr.. Gaynor. who was not pres
emit was represented by Lawyers Z. NJ. shep-
ord. Col. +. A. Lamb. aud Jore. Weinberg +.
NJ. Grout and Col Bacon law partners OF Mr..
Gaynor. and participators in the election day
affair. were present also. District Attorney
pickey Of Newburgh sat beside Justice
Barnard; In 9peninG f9r tn, the COMPLAINANT I
appointed n deputy Attorney-tie General Tor the
purpose OF prosecuting the alleged election
to secure copies OF the registry lists u Graves
end. the arrest Of the men sent for that pur-
tice Barnard OF the Injunction order. the Sc
curing Of certificates Uy the men appointed "a
Gommtso q the sn rscepos scsordsd WaVcS,
ers and their compan Ions by Chief Mchane
and his associates and the sq ib t legal
stfidayits and referred to the written evidence
as 70 the various stems TAKEN Ken by Mr. Gaynor
Comparatively little interest was manifested
In Mr.. khepard's presentation Of his side OF tho
present. but when Judge Troy arose to give
his clients version OF the affair. everybody
htSq SnG been ns
the ceiling decorations during Mr.. Shenard,s
feels the need OF appearing to be listening
patiently. Now he put his right elbow on the
eyes were turned downward. but they winked
and blinked almost constantly Otherwise he
remarks. The latter said that he proposed to
waive technical objections for ths time being.
to make about Justice Barnarl's jurisdiction
until he had removed some erroneous impress
sH IN s sRHn % Se read
After recitinG that as Supervisor and Chief
OF foice he was invested Win powers
tSalsd in the s6Hy t6st h as OF
Gaynor, and alleged that it was between u :.
600 and 10000; He denied conspiring to make
3d. laala NJ nfafH faNa nF fran N
i neTeSse the se Vote 81 the town. lie had no
knowledge OF any illegal registering or voting
CURED tho inspectors Of election to keep poll
lists OF preceding elections and to copy on the
proved to have ceased TO be legal yot;
ers. The number Of name: REGISTERED
was 1900. being, an Increase Of only
Q few hundred over those Of the last election.
Ire Incorporated In this explanation AN odi-
toriai from the Eage. one OF his Interest crit,
les. Of Oct. 70, 10 which It was asserted that ~
time In Grayesend and had registered there
desired to vote there, Mckane could not pre-
ss S New the
billy for PTstent,6RS ne repeating y yba %5H
IL. Sse ai5R Ss bsS sea M
nor amt himself had leen ot the !riendliest
character. He frequently consulted Mr.. Gay
nor, who was counsel Tor tho trustees OF the
common lands OF GTayesend. about town mat
tiers, aud mad never had difference with HIM
GAynor wanted 10 copy the registry Lists. As
a matter Of courtesy he lad offered To have a
copy made for Mr.. GayuOT and had sent
Election lpspe,tor MugpES to tell Nj, Gay;
nor so Mr.. GaynOr used 'prJ!ans and
abusive language 70 NlrrhE' and sad
he would make his own copies. from
which he gathered ihat what Mr. Gas nor
wanted wa. not COPY o. thr I"EtStry. h,ls.
but an opportunity to exploit himself In the
nswspRpers b. srnding men down 20 ths Town
Han to get a copy % tie lists an! demaHliGg
that tie iist- slic4ll be given 70 their .o-scs-
sion exclusively" He denied thaJ he Lad or.
dared the arrest Of the tuurteen men sent
down 10 cory tile lists on NOV. ; Aui had 30.
fused them tail When they we're lu'ked ~ Jn
false charges. .-i.--,.,.
phone mesEage nom toneY ls."nl t3lta
HeadGuaTter- whi at h 3 Office IN Br,9h!yh
on that day. in which hc was informed that 2
numBsr Of strange men wereHround the OWE
Hall, and that they were drums ulsoIis D.
and sighting among themselves ne lo'a
pnoned back. ordering the sergeant not "
modest tho men II thrY hau been seat % Ar
GayuuT as Lee did not want 10 give MN .
ehaute 10 rEIluit himself in the hewsIalet-
lie was inferined that the men had E.hE !,
tl- Town Hall about y . o'clock that evtnlns
aud had pretended TO want . maze a 20!
81 the rolls. iVt tgRt - thtT W'Fe l'
no condition for that work. Later h'