New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-03
MR.. RopER1cK OPENS FOR THE DEFENCE.

absolutely that he had not seen this person, or
talked with that person, or had been addressed
by the other person. at any time curing the us
turbances at Gravesend, preceding or upon E"iec-
ton DAY. He had been advised by telephone
from Coney Island that there were strangers
there intending to come there, and had gwen
instructions that they should be watched DuI
had cautioned all his men against any use OF
clubs or resort to violence of any sort. lie &c
MED that he had made remarks attributed 10
him by Colonel Bacon. the Rev. Mr. Kent Mf.
Worthley and others. and asserted his entire
innocence Of any responsibility for the arrest
of the men who went down as copyjsts, 10 serve
injunctiOnS or as watchers.
The witness became a little confused at some
points For instance. in one place he said that
as he approached Colonel Bacon he saw MN
waving something in his hand At another
point in the direct examination he sdid ne had
nothing in his hand. When remarks alleged 10
have been made by him to visitors at Gravesend
were repeated he positively denied that he had
ever uttered them. and In some Instances with
meek and lowly air assured counsel that he never
talked in that way 10 anybody-a remark which
caused a litter 10 float over the CHAMBER
HIS MEMORY RATHER WEAK.
The cross-examnation was begun at O'Clock
by General Tracy. who plunged at once INTO the
subject Of the government OF the town OF Graves
end He invited the witness to explain the IN
debtedness Of the town, but he found much diff
Guilty In exploring the memory Of Mr. Mckane
for facts The witness seemed TO start out after
the manner of Captain Hnman. whose memory
was terribly defective when he appeared on the
stand a few days ago. but General Tracy finally
secured a statement to the effect that the town
was bonded for about 100000. Then the counsel
brought forward the name of John W. Murphy
who was the messenger between Mr.. Mckane ana
Mr. Gaynor. The witness, in answer TO questions
first said that. Murphy was in his employ as
clerk for the keeping Of accounts from Decoration
Day until October /. McKane answered TINS
question in an offhand way, evidently sup
hot ed IN material hearing
the case, but General Tracy wanted TO know
whether Mr. Murphy was not public Official.
He learned that ne was connected win M, NIX
memory was revived. and he said that he had
made mistake Murphy was public officer
during the four months OF the season ana mat
he did private work for him during the other
eight months. 1t a laundering. slipshod
statement and this recovery Of his error. which
came in a rather awkward way. caused broad
smiles to pass over the courtroom.
HOW THE POLICE WERE PAID
Then counsel drew out an explanation Of the
manner of paying the police by the private
check OF McKane 1t was evident that the wit
ness was anxious to explain his hearted
ness and public spirit in this connection. He
said that owing to the rapid growth Of Graves
end In later years, It had become necessary to
largely increase the police force; that the tax
had increased for this purpose, from 5000 Il
year to $50 O00 $24 900 OF which raised by
taxation, and $4,000 from licenses. Mr.. Mckane
said he treasurer Of the Police Board, but
kept no account Of the payments made 10 the
men except those contained on the stubs OF his
check books. He said that, owing to this rapid
increase, the town had run year behind in
the collection of taxes and that he had per-
sonally furnished the money to provide payment
for the men. He seemed 10 take considerable
pride In making this statement, and glanced in
the direction Of the jury box several times while
making It, and whenever the subject was re-
ferred to afterward. The witness said that
there was no other OF the public moneys coming
into his hands except in connection with the
act passed by the Legislature In 1892, provid-
ing that the money In the hands OF the Commits.
sioncrs Of Investments may be taken by the
Board OF Supervisors and used for redeeming the
bonds improving roads or constructing public
buildings He said that he so far as the school
funds were concerned. received them Super.
y1oer. and paid them over to the trustees in the