The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-02-24
REPUBLICANS QUESTION JURISDICTION.
Clerk Thompson Tells of the
Organization of the Demo-
cratic Senate.
ADRAIN AND THE JOURNAL
Clerk Mott of the Republican
Senate Testifes "A Fatal
Admission.
spseial 70 the Jerscp oitp Ne,rs.

Special to the Jersey Guy Neics
TRENTON, Feb "a 1s94.--Supreme Court
Commissioner S. Meredith Dickinson began
the taking of testimony this morning in the
quo learranto proceedings instituted by
Governor Werts to end the deadlock. The
Chancery Court room, in which the testi-
mony was taken, was crowded with inter
ested spectators Senators Adrain and
Rogers, the rival presidents, and Samuel
Thompson and Wilbur Mott; encountered
with books and'papers, were among the first
to arrive.
Judge Stevens and Richard V. Lindabury
appeared for the Governor, while the inter
ests of Senator Rogers and the Republican.
Senate were guarded by Joseph Coult,
Judge William Lanning of Trenton. R.
Wayne Parker of Newark and Gilbert Col
Inns of Jersey City.
In opening Mr.. Coult made statement
in which, in behalf of Rogers, he protested
against the jurisdiction OF the court, and
reserved the right to raise the question OF
proceedings.
THE FIRST WITNESS
Samuel Thompson, Secretary of the
Adrain Senate was the first witness. MIR.
Lindabury conducted the examination
Thompson was asked if he was elected Sec
retary of the Senate Mr.. Parker OBJ
jected to the question as leading.
1t was admitted, and Thompson said
he was elected secretary and served during
the session of 1898. He reached the Senate
Chambef about two O'Clock january last,
and was there when an attempt was made to
organize the Senate. He gave the names of
the nine Democratic holdover Senators who
were present at that time. He recorded
what took place in the journal. He was al
lowed to look at that to refresh his memory.
He then read his minutes of the Democratic
organization. He called the role twice, but
only the nine answered.
COUNTED THIRTEEN.
A recess was taken. About fifteen minutes
past three Senators Smith, Stokes, Skirm
and Hoffman entered He then called the
roll again and the thirteen holdovers were in
their seats. He believed all answered to
their names, but there was much noise out
side band playing, ,ssetc.-at any rate at the
end of the roll call he told the President that
thirteen were present and objection was
made to his statement. The witness then
told how Stokes asked what was to be done
with the credentials of the new Senators
and Dalyis resolution for committee.
Skirm addressed the chair and was ruled out
of order because a resolution was pending.
The resolution was then put and adopted
His answer was objected to as it was con-
cldSlOn. NE FOlS WIS Viva fOCS
PRESIDENT PRO TEN SAID So.
The reason witness Knew the resolution
was adopted was because the President pro
tenn declared it adopted. He heard no OBJ
jecting vote. Mr.. VOORHEES,, witness said,
had attempted to address the chair, claim
ing to be Senator from Union. The Presi-
dent said he had no right to speak and
ordered the Senator to preserve order.
VOORHEES, subsided, and Stats credentials
were presented and referred to a committee.
These were Immediately approved and he
was sworn in.
A resolution was adopted declaring that
no one should be admitted to the body un-
less by s'votes of duly qualified Senators"
Witness then told of the receipt of the
Governors message. All subsequent reso-
lutions were carried by viva yoce vote and
the witness heard no negative voice.
Some of the Senators left their seats dur
ing the business, but witness did not remem-
ber seeing them go, and would not tell
whether they went in body or not. He
first noticed their absence by seeing their
seats vacant. The witness then detailed the
proceeding Of the various motions of the
Democratic Senate He believed that the
journal kept by him and his assistant to be q
correct record of these proceedings
THE HALF HOLIDAY.
When twelve o'clock came Lindabury
asked If there would be any objections to
going on, as the Court had decided that no
on Saturdays against his will. Counsel for
Mr.. Rogers and all others in the case con-
sented that the examination should proceed.
After stating that none of the Republican
Senators ever attended any OF the Democratic
Senate's meetings. Thompson was turned
over to the defendants for cross-examination.
As they had but little time to prepare,
Rogers lawyers asked that the cross
examination be postponed This was
granted.
Adrain, who appeared for himself, wanted
an adjournment to Monday evening. He
disclained all idea of wanting to delay the
proceedings but it would be very incon-
vsnient for him to get to Trenton earlier in
the day This proposition met with such
hearty disapprova1 that the Middlesex
Senator quickly Withdrew
Mr. Lindabury examined Thompson
further upon journal of the Senate of 1893,
to show the election Of Adraln as President.
OBJECTIONS TO THE JOURNAL.
Mr.. Lindabury then offered in evidence
the journal kept by Mr.. Thompson:
Mr. Coult objected on the ground that it IS
not the Journal of any organized body under
the Constitution of the State; it is not legally
authenticated; is not legal evidence OF the
action of any body; its Statements are not
legal or even prima facie evidence against
MI. Rogers; it is not made by any officer
authorized by law, and it has never been
adopted, approved or recognized by
quorum of the Senate
Mr. Lindabury wanted to know what Mr.
Coult meant by the Journal not being auh-
thentic.
Mr.. Coult said he would not answer.
ADRAIN on HIS DIGNITY.
The counsel for Rogers began examining
the Journal when Mr.. Adrain very officious-
" said to Mr.. Coult:--
Il have no objection to anything on this
side being examined by you, Mr.. Coult, but
wish to say that that Journal belongs to the
state of New Jersey and cannot go out OF
onf possession.
MI Collins said that it was on exhibition
and the Rogers counsel had right to
examine it,
Mr. Adrain denied this right, but the mat
4a1. was adjusted by the Comissioners and the
Rapers men examined the journal to their
hearts content. Wilbur, Mott Rogers and
the other republicans gathered around it,
s1,d ssern to find considerable amusement in
the innocent looking book
George Coleman, Journal Clerk OF the
drain Senate was the next witness. he
told how be and the other clerks kept the