New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-27
MKANE'S WEAK POINT.
HE IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH THE
OBSTRUCTION PROCEEDINGS
AT GRAvEsEND.

AT GRAvEsEND.
49, cno,.rs TESTIMONY Is TO TELEPHONE
MESSAGE A DAMAGING BLOW TO THE
DEFENCE - PROCEEDINGS ON THE
FIFTH DAY OF TIE TRIAL
A criminal trial can sometimes be rendered
amusing even TO the prisoner at the bar There
have been murderers conscious OF their own
gu,lt. and without hope of escape from Judiciai
death who were known to laugh mmoderatei!
and with frequency over certain eplsoues oh
such occasions. These exhibitions OF manner
ence have been styled by some stolcai anu ny
critics possessed Of the taste for genie use Vi
words. as impressive
In tho criminal trial Of John Y. Mckane In
Brooklyn yesterday there were moments wheh
the Judge not only smiled. but laughed When
the Jury laughed. and the lawyers on po'h
sides laughed; but the face or the oeieho-
ant remained throughout the day as ire
sponsive to suggestion OF mirth as
death mask. The incidents which excited iaugh-
tor we're. to be sure somewhat trlfins. and
possibly not worthy OF mention; but the habitu-
ally solemn countenance Of Mckane seemed 70
! indicate that he at least in all the thronS
which attends his trial. can see nothing funny
In the proceedings He sat at the table with
his counsel. writing. or feignng to do so. and
leaned forward keeping his nose close to the
paper.
There was great crush Of people at the court
room door early in the morning. The Gravesend
followers of the chief were conspicuous Dom IN
numbers and appearance. with becoming inou-
es,y they took possession OF the gallery ieaV-
ing the floor to representatives Of the more re-
snectable element Of Kings County. who from
day TO dav assemble there to watch the trial In
vindication of their political rights.
Though the proceedings were devoid OF start
| ling dramatic incidents. there was mrch OF
| routine interest In the morning session. Inc
| day opened with the cross-eXam!nation or james
| NJ AIas,erson. lie told Of the existence OF pad
| loc,,s an the outer doors Of the Town Hall q
! Gravesend when he and companion sought an
inspection OF the registry lists. Mr.. Roderick.
for the defence. pressed the witness closely
without any tangible effect but delivered part
| ing shot when he asked whether Mr. Maserson
| had not told reporter that he was u be
yitness and requested that his name he printed
In italics
There was a laugh which extended from the
Judges bench TO the gallery Mr.. Mastersons
| face expanded into a smile as he said. on that
| was all Joke" Mr. Roderick also attempted
to show that intoxication had been one OF the
concomitan.s Of the visit to Gravesend by the
witness and his associate. Maxwell. but all that
was shown was that they drank a few glasses OF
! beer
Serious business sprang from the temperance
| OF John L. Voorhis. the town clerk OF GraVesenc.
General Tracy sought TO snow that by the redis-
trcting Of the town the vote had been mar
vellously increased. Long arguments ensued as
| to the admissblity Of the evidence. The defence
| contended that this was an incident OF 1890. but
| General Tracy insisted that II was the purpose OK
the prosecution to show that from the date OF the
redistricting the vote OF Gravesend town had not
! only doubled but nearly trebed. by the time OF the
| election Of 1893 which was indubitably an abb
normal increase. lie insisted that this was
effected through an organized motive. ana that
John Y McKane was the author Of this remark
able scheme He had divided the districts under
the law authorizing the redistricting or the town.
I'm manner that would bring all the voters OF
the six election districts provided for. to one
| central point, the town hall at Gravesend.
| map demonstrating the plan as drawn by Wit
ness: Richard G. Schermerhorn. a civil engineer.
| presented the appearance OF a central point. Of
which the Town Hall at Gravesend was like the
hub of wheel In other words the Town Hall
was the voting place Of the six districts. and the
different apartments thereip which were simply
six polling places OF tn, districts. The defence
raised the point that this plan having been
brought into operation far back 1890. the re-
suits would have bearing on the election OF
1893 The contest on the part OF the defence at
this point was most bitter
Judge Bartlett finally suggested to General
Tracy and the prosecution that in his judgment
the proximity Of time to the date when the re-
dstricting occurred and when the alleged frauds
were committed, was an important element.
There were prolonged arguments by counsel but
the court accepted for Identification official
records submitted by Town Clerk Voorh!s, show
ing the increase of voters since the changes were
effected.
JUDGE BARTLETT IRRITATED.
Mr. Voorhis then told what he knew respecting
the location OF the polling places in the Town
Hall. Mr.. Roderick thought that the testimony
should be limited to facts bearing only on tho
First District polling place which is the one
! covered by the indictment. Judge Bartlett ruled
adversely TO the defence but Mr. Roderch in
sisted with much vehemence, much indeed
that his voice was raised to so high a pitch that
his tone and manner seemed to many specta-
tors as a sign OF disrespect 70 the Court. 1t
was evident that Judge Bartlett was rrtatcd
His gavel fell sharply; his face flushed with
Roderick. do not want you to speak to me as
you do to some Of the witnesses"
The pale face OF Mechanics counsel REDEEMED
W