The morning call., 1893-05-18
SERGT. WITTMAN'S DEFENSE

The Board of Police Commissioners met
last night and resumed the trial of Sergeant
George Whitman. accused by Judge Con-
Ian of having accepted bribes from fallen
women, gamblers and lotterY-keepers.
The prosecution on Monday night had
produced many witnesses, who testified
that the accused officer had blackmailed
them. They said they had paid him from
So SO to S5 a month for immunity from
arrest.
AS on the first night of the trial, Com
missioner D. NJ. Burns was absent, and the
testimony was heard By Commissioners
Tobin and AIyord, Chief of Police Crow
ley and as many lawyers, politicians and
newspaper men as could be accommodated
in the little room in which the Commits
sioners met.
Judge Conlan wa 8 the first witness called
to the stand last night. He mopped his
fiorid face with his handkerchief and
swore to tell the truth and all of ii.
"TelI Us when you were admitted to the
bar and when you were elected Judge"
was the first question asked by Attorney
Dunno, who represented Whitman.
Attorney Sullivan, who represented Con-
Ian, thought the dates of ten of the most
important events in COnlan's life had
nothing to DO with the case.
"These charges made against Whitman
are absolutely false" Dunno declared
passionately. 1--WE will show that they
were based upon perjury"
'I have practised law throughout the
State.'' said Judge Conlan, "ln the Supe-
rior Court and in the Police Court"
Dunno tried to show that the most of
-Conlan's practice had been in the Police
Court, but his honor would not admit that
such was true. He Informed the Commits
sioners that he lad been an Assistant Pros
ecuting Attorney for four years. and was
familiar with Police Court practice.
Have You ever, prior to the time you
became Judge. been attorney for one John
ORanlon?" (O'HanlOn is the king of
the Macquereax" who was dismissed upon
his own recogn zancs by Judge Conlan
after he had fractured the skull of rival.)
son one occasion. 1t was some time
prior to the election"
''Were you ever attorney for Blanche
Comm erie of Quincy street?"
AZ was"
For one Langla is?"
'Inever heard of him."
"He kept saloon near the corner of
Pine and Dupont streets. Don't you know
him?"
mo. sir"
Ever been attorney for any one who
kept a saloon there?"
'No, SIR"
'tEver officiate as witness in a case in
which O'Hanlon was interested?"
''On one occasion. testified then that
O'Hanlon lived in Mayfeld."
1t was the purpose of the defense to
show that Judg ge Conlan and certain dis
reputable men and women had entered
into conspiracy to blacken Sergeant
Whitman because ne had injured them.
Commissioner Tobin wanted to know
what Conlan's relations with O'HanlOn
and the other persons named had to do
with the case.
Dunno replied that it was necessary to
show their relations before the defense
could be established.
"Were you ever surety for O'Hanlon? ?"
Dunno asked of the witness.
II don't remember anything of the
kind"
"Are you friendly with him?'
81 know the gentleman. speak to him
and / visit his saloon"
After the Judge made his charges
against Whitman it was intimated that
O'Hanlon was his (the Judges manager
during the political campaign.
'Have you ever had any political rela-
tions with O'Hanlon?" Dunno inquir ed.
81 don't propose to say anything about
my private business" was the tart re-
sponse, and the Commissioners ruled out
the question.
Several questions asked with view to
showing that Judge Conlan had been at
torney for women who had testified against
Whitman were asked, but the Commits
sioners sustained Judge Conlan in his re.
fusal to answer them.
"We want to know" remarked Mr.. To-
bin ''whether our officers have been receiy-
ing bIibes. Have you ever seen or do you
know of any one who has given money to
Wittman?"
Judge Conlan did not. He had gathered
his Information from other persons, and
since he had made his charges against
Whitman he had been visited by persons
who had much to say against the sergeant,
but did not dare to speak because they had
been told by the police that if they gave
evidence in the case they would be driven
from the city.
"Give us the names," said the Chief,
sand they will be protected"
"They say that il they appeared against
the police officers would be stationed al
their doors and they could not do busi-
ness" was the Judges reply.
81 detail the officers" ed the
Chief, land these people will not be mo-
Iested."
But the Judge did not give the names,
and the first witness for the defense was
called.
She was woman named Matilda Nor
rette. She lives on Quincy street.
"Did you ever give money 10 Sergeant
Wittman?' she was asked.
mo. sir. never"
Conlan's attorney objected to the ques-
tion and answer on the ground that the
woman had not been charged with bribing
the officer and also because she was an in
mate and not the keeper Of the house in
which she lived.
Have you been arrested since you be-
came acquainted with Wittman?"
mo. SIR"