New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-04
NOT YET READY FOR WORK.
THE SENATE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
TO BEGIN BUSINESS ON FRIDAY.
NO CERTAINTY TUAr MR.. CHoNTE WILL BE
COUNSEL FOR THE COMMlTTEE-ANoTuER
AtI.1,r1A.c, 10 III, 1IE1 Ii M0RROM.

~ this citv met again at the Hotel Metropoe
AZ noon Yesterday and adjourned. having done
little toward the real work Of the investigation.
II was made plain that the taking of testimony.
would not begin until next Friday. and it was
evident that the members of the committee were
disappointed at the lack of preparation for an
investigation Senator Cantor was absent from
the meeting again yesterday, and X was said
that he was i'll with attack Of bronchitis at
his home in e-hundred-and-twen -ffth-st.
Senators LeXOw. OCOnnOr Robertson, SaXton,
Pound and Bradley We're on hand punctually at
the time appointed for the meeting. and the Rev.
DR. Parkhurst. Charles Stewart Smith president
Of the Chamber OF Commerce; Gustav Schwab,
Jacob Hess. w Harris Roome, Of the City Club,
and a number of other men We're present
Chairman LeXow asked Mr.. Smith # he had
report TO make about counsel TO conduct the in
ycstigation. and Mr.. Smith replied: Il sent
telegram 10 Mr. Choate last evening lie is still
in Washington. but l received a reply from him
half an hour ago. He says he Will be at his
home in this city this evening. and will be
pleased there before replying 10 the
invitation to act as counsel in the investigation.
The telegram is entirely personal to me. but
have given YOU the substance Of ii. l will
him This evening, and viii be able - report
Monday II he is willing to accept the position Of
counsel for the committee. Failing to secure
the services Of Mr. Choate. which hope will not
be the case. I would be able to telegraph to
Albany by Wednesday the name Of another gen
tleman to he selected in place Of Mr. Choate'
MR. CHoAkE FORMALLY ASKED TO SERVE.
Chairman Lexow said that 1t was the unan!-
nous opinion Of the committee that counse.
should be selected Sho was agreeable - the or
ganzations Interested in the investigation. but
the character Of the man should be guarantee
that the investigation would be thorough and
satisfactory. Senator OConnor moved to invite
Joseph H. Choate 10 act as the committees
counsel. and the motion was adopted unani-
mously. Senator O'Connor also said he would
be glad to have lawyer representing the Union
League Club associated with Mr.. Choa;e in the
investigation and Senator SaXton explained that
while there had been no request from the Union
League Club from any committee of the
club. for the investigation, it was true that a
number of men who happened II be members of
the club had Interested themselves In city re-
forms as a volunteer committee. of which Elihu
Root said to b. the chairman.
Dr. Parkhurst was asked by the chairman If
he had any suggestion to make and he said: AS
1t is not certain that NJ. Choate will accept the
position Of counsel might suggest the name Of
John E. Parsons. He is lawyer Of ability VINO
has the confidence of the community. and he is
known 10 be painstaking and energetic. His
Character would be sufficient guarantee or
faithful work
Senator Bradley said the name Of Simon Stern
had been suggested also. but Mr. Smith made
haste TO assure the committee that Mr.. Parsons
would be acceptable to the Chamber of Commerce
in the event OF the refusal of Mr. ChOate 10
serve Regarding the choice Of an associate
counsel. he said that such an appointment should
he at the suggestion of the man who took the
laboring oar.
Mr. Schwa5 was asked if he had any sugees
ton 70 make to the committee, and he said ne
would only second what Mr.. Smith had said
Chairman Lexow then turned 10 DR.. Parkhurst
and asked:
Have YOU any suggestion TO make TO the
lines Of investgaton?'
DIR. PARKIIURsT HAS A GOOD LAWYER ~ MIND
Dr. Parkhurst said mo- without leaving his
seat. Then. after a pause he rose and said: II
might suggest that 1t would be well to select as
an associate counsel a lawyer who Is familiar with
the workings Of the Police Department. think
/ know Of such a man
Senator Saxton said that several Of the
members Of the committee lived a, a distance
from the CITY, IL might be well 70 have sub
committee meet Mr.. Smith on Monday and make
the final arrangements about coursel. Upon his
motion Senators Bradley and Robertson were
delegated 10 act with Chairman LeXOw as such a
subcommittee. II was agreed that they would
meet at the hotel at noon tomorrow
Mr.. Smith. in reply 10 question as 70 the best
place for the committee 70 hear the testimony
at the investigation. said that the committee
might make Of the large room Of the Cham
Der Of Commerce. which was suitable FOR the
purpose OF such an investigation. His offer was
held for consideration The committee passed a
resolution authorizing the empc ymcnt OF
etenographcr t. make copies OF the testimony
taken before the committee, and then adjourned
10 await the call OF the chairman. II was the
understanding that the committee WouId proD-
ably return 10 the city next Frlday ana besih
the taking Of testimony.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE DISAPPOINTED.
bo, al b.. lborq Of
the Senate committee talked in a manner which
indicated impatierce with some Of the persons
who had asked for the investigation Of the Police
Department and had failed to prepare lines Of
investigation previous 10 the arrival Of the COM
mittee in the CITY.
Senator SaXton said: "Dr. Parkhurst's attitude
has been disappointing. lie intimatcd that unless
we pursued the questionable course Of making the
investigation secret. We might expect little on no
help from him or from his society. The fact
that his society did not invite US down here Is
immateri He had pictured state Of affairs
in the city. resulting. as he declared. from IN
ment which demanded an investigation II is
the duty Of every citizen who can throw light on
the subject to waive minor considerations ana
Cooperate with US in the investigation"
HE EXPECTED SPECIFIC CHARGES.
Senator Lcxow, chairman Of the committee.
said: Il confess thai in view Of the publications
IN the newspapers / expected that would find
specific charges against the police when we began
our session here. We look TO the people Of the
city to aid us by laying before us any evidence
in their possession. DR.. Parkhurst has assured
us that he is in thorough accord with our mis-
sion. AS he has taken part In the discussion or
choice OF counsel, and thus identified himself
with our Investigation. take IL mat ne VIII lay
before US all the facts in his possession"
Il surprised" said Senator Pound. ",hat
so little preparation for the investigation had
been made by the people who have been de
manding e. I suppose however. that they are
holding back important information untl couh-
sci has been selected 10 map out the lines OF
inquiry"
SENATOR RoBERTSoN's VIEWS
Senator Robertson said: THE failure Of DR..
Parkhurst and OF the representative or the
Chamber OF Commerce TO present something
tangible i'm the way Of charges or indictments
at he o1tsnt WAS diaannointing to me. Ihe