Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-27

The weather bureau investigation started of
earlier this afternoon than usual, aud at few
minutes after 2 o'clock Gen. Colby was in his
seat. and Mr.. Perry had handed in a letter
which he said he would not try to read. The
letter, however, was as follows:
CITY OF WASHINGTON. D. c.. April q, 1893.
To Mr. Assistant Attorney General Colby,
Sir: In this case the witness James B. Nc
Laughlin appears also in the character OF
an assistant prosecutor. He began his tes-
timony in chief on Saturday, April %, in
the absence Of Prof. Harrington. On Monday.
April "a. he was placed on the stand BY
Gen. Colby to resume his testimony, but was,
against my objection, allowed to stand aside
and other witnesses were examined. This ex-
animation, including the cross-e1amin-
alton Of other witnesses, was con-
tnued on the 25th and 26th instsnts,
also against nv objection, the witness Nc
Laughlin taking part in these examinations.
On the 26th instant Mclaughlin was present
during the whole Of the cross-examination of
Henry l. Heiskell, which cross-examination
necessarily covered part of the field Of Nc
Laughiins own future cross-examination.
Whatever the purpose be in thus withhold
ing Mclaughlin. the effect is to educate him
for further examination and cross-examination.
Such line OF prosecution would not be toll
Grated in any court OF justice. Here can only
protest against it. and this l now do for the
iour'n ume- Nespecuully.
r. Ross PERRY,
Attorney for Prof. Harrington.
DOES NOT RECOGNIZE GEN. coLBYs CALLS.
MIR. Perry then further said that Prof.
Harrington had received the calls from Gen.
Colby, printed in yesterdays STAR, for papers,
and he most respectfully saws that he could not
recognize such a call. II the Secretary or
acting secretary made a call for papers they
would be promptly furnished
MIR. Perry then put in evidence several let
tiers and kilograms from Davis. which show
that MIR. Davis was transferred from
Norfolk to Wilmington. from Whining
iankton at his own request. and this de-
molished, said Mr.. Perry, the plea that Davis
was transferred from Norfolk as q punishment
FOR his treatment of Nichols.
AS TO THE EXPERT CoMprLEns
Alfred J. Henry was then called to the stand.
Mr.. Henry testified to being q clerk in
the record division Of the weather
bureau. Mr.. Henry had some knowl-
edge Of the expert compilers when they
first entered the Office. and before they were
put under Lieut.. Purssell. Mrs. Plummer had
said at once that she could not do the
work. Mr.. Madden he had consid-
cred slow and under the average as a
clerk. Witness thought these persons could
no be called expert compilers." In answer
10 question from Mr.. Mclaughlin the witness
faid that there were clerks in the records Office
drawing less salary than these newly appointed
expert compilers who we're better qualified to
do the work.
A. B. CRANES TESTIMONY.
A. B. Crane, the observer from Norfolk, was
then recalled to the stand and questioned by
Mr.. Perry as to what he had said
to Mr.. Heiskeu during his CONVEX sation in
March. Mr.. Crane denied emphatically that
he had said that Nichols was q ''habitual
drunkard." He had said that Nichols was
incompetent and worthless and that he thought
his nerves had been shattered by the
Kelley cure. Mr.. Perry then questioned Mr.
Crane as to his conversation with Mr.. Heiskell
after seeing Mr.. lockwood. Mr. Crane testified
that Mr.. lockwood, after the Nichols case had
been laid before him. had said. What you
want is another assistant" Witness was
not prepared to say whether Mr. lockwood
had meant that Nichols was to be retained at
Norfolk. Mr.. Crane denied that he had said
Mr.. lockwood had remarked, "But Nichols
must be kept at Norfolk" He had said after
ward: ut appears to me that Mr. lockwood
wishes to keep Mr.. Nichols at Norfolk
Mr.. MLAUaHLIN cRoss-ExAMrNED.
This ended Mr.. Cranes testimony, and Mr..
Mclaughlin then went on the stand, and Mr..
Perry started In on a rigid cross-e1amination
that promised to be rather severe. Mr.. Perry
started at the beginning Of Mr.. XcLaughlin's
life.