The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-27
GOADED BY MIR. GOFF
POLICE COMMISSIONER SHEEHAN
ANGERED WHILE UNDER FIRE.
Didn't Want to Answer Questions
That Might show Unlawful In
huences i'm Securing Contracts.

NEW YORK, Oct 26-Police Commits
sioner Sheehan was upon the witness stand
before the State Senate police investigating
committee to-day. At the outset he was
asked to say what he had desired to testify
to On yesterday regarding his contracts
with the Long Island Improvement Com
mission. The commissioner said the bids
were returned because the authorities want
ed them to go to another party.
Mr.. Sheehan became angry at Mr. Goff' s
inquiry about lawyer Kelly having sought
his influence in the matter of leasing the
Seventh Judicial Court building. Don't
make any side speeches." he said curtly to
Mr. Goff.
IF you argue with counsel said Chair
man Lexow, "the committee will withdraw
it's protection
More than one witness has hanged him
self by similar conduct" put in Mr.. Goff.
The commissioner denied that he said
yesterday that Kelly had tried to gain his
influence against the removal of the
Seventh judicial Court to the Grand Op-
era House. Mr.. Goff appealed to the rec
ords which contradicted the witness.
WAS your answer yesterday true or false
about Kelly's seeking your infiuence?"
asked Mr.. Goff.
Mr.. Sheehan refused to make direct
answer to the question. and Chairman
Lexow directed the stenographer to note
the facts @ co5 MT sheehan said the m best nan an
taken yesterday. I'll not answer any
question that does not affect corruption In
the o RoSe seu said he Mr adeS Go
something has come over the spirit Of your
dreams. Yesterday you were prepared to
pitched into the witness for looking at his
brother the Lieutenant Governor. who was
seated among the witnesses. Il object to a
Lieutenant Governor acting as your coun-
SELL said Mr.. Golf.
you are looking at him before answer
ing You were comforting with him."
rescue. and denied that the Lieutenant
Governor had prompted his brother. Lieut..
draw If the committee objected to his pres
mot at ALL" said Chairman Lexow.
Mr. Goff then again delved ir<e, the COM
missioners' contracts for public work Mr.
Goff read from the record of the Long
island commission, which stated that Mr..
had voted TO award contracts to Mr.. Shee-
han; Some of the contracts We're given
name had been used. and received this ex-
'.The newspapers were trying to get up
strikes on the work l had so the contracts
were made in O'Brien's name"
HAS your brother, the Lieutenant Gov
ernor of the State. any interest in these
contracts"
None whatever"
"If your brother told committee in the
hall of Legislature that his interests in the
Long island contract were vast did he tell
the truth?
'T don't know anything about it."
''Did you know O'Brien said he had to go
in partnership with you TO get favorable leg
islation?"
"He never said so. He is not the kind of
a man to say that.
Questions about an alleged protest against
the inspectors OF the firms work In Long
Island City ELECTED nothing definite. Mr..
Con- then took up the subject OF selec-
ton of police commissioners.
.'Does the executive committee of Tam
many Hall confer with the Mayor about
appointments? he asked.
mo, never"
s.Did Inspector Williams ask you to use
your influence to make him police COM
missioner"
1--WE talked on that subject"
s.Did you send to Thomas c. Plat to have
him assist in making Williams commits
sionerg'
"You wanted to see Inspector Williams
appointeds
Republican,; he is a good officer. One OF
the best In the country, and no fakir,"
answered the Commissioner
Now. Is not a fact that you favored
the appointments OF Inspector Williams be-