New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-03
IN HIS OWN DEFENCE.
MKANE,S SWEEPING DENIA Is.
GEORGE W. RODERICK MAKy's A PLAIN
TIVE APPEAL TO THE JURY.
ACCORDING TO THE DEFENDANTS TESTIMONY.
HE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING
THAT HAPPENED AT GRAvEsEND-A
COMBINATION OF AUDACITY AND
FORGETFULNESS.

THAT HAPPENED AT GRAvEsEND-A
COMBINATION OF AUDAcITY AND
FoRGETFULNEss.
George W. Roderick delivered the opening ad.
dress for the defence yesterday morning In the
Of John Y McKane The fact that The
trial had proceeded to this point attracted n.
unusually large crowd to the courtroom, am
throughout the day the officers were taxed To
the utmost in repelling the throng endeavor1ng
to obtain admission to the chamber.
Mr. Roderick closed his appeal at 1915 o'clock.
A recess was then taken until O'Clock. the an.
nouncement having been previously made that
the defendant would be the first witness. This
news circulated rapidly. and when the hour
Of assembling arrived it difficult for those
having business in the courtroom to reach the
entre noes thereto. Throughout the day unusual
interest was manifested and excitement
was apparent.
Mr.. Roderick began speaking shortly after
o'clock and for three hours occupied the attention
Of the Court and jury. His speech simple
denial in detail Of NE charges against his client
There no attempt at oratory. He led out
with general statement Of the high character
and business influence Of his client. and pointed
to the incident that he had raised himself from
carpenters apprentice by honest and upright
dealing and had position Of respect in the
hearts Of the people Of the town Of Gravesend.
Then counsel turned his attention to what he
characterized as the persecution Of the defend
ants. He said that every citizen had an equal
right to make a copy of the registry list, whether
he running for constable or for Supreme
Court Judge. He said that the statement made
by Mr. Mayer 10 Mr.. McKane to the effect that
Mr.. Gaynors men had been refused access to
the list aStOniShed the latter and he denied
that Mr.. McKane had given order TO any
in charge OF the lists the effect that copies
should not be made without his individual sane
ton. He argued that inspectors should have
been Informed by mail that copies Of the lists
were wanted and in that event the papers
wotld e at the inspectors houses for use. In
stead of pursuing this course strange went
around to the houses Of these officials and made
demands upon attendants at the doors. This
action was characterized by Mr.. Roderick q
pretence, for the purpose Of establishing basis
for charge Of refusal on the part OF the In
spectors to furnish the lists. Mr.. Roderick
dwelt upon this feature of the indicating
purpose on the part OF those conducting Mr.
Gaynors campaign 10 exploit the matter in the
newspapers for effect upon voters Coming to
Colonel Bacon's experiences. he said it would
be shown that he had been crowded from sta
ton platform and fallen He added that II
would not be disputed that in the excitement
some men were struck and some were knocked
down, and that some OF the party may have
had Injunction papers IN their hands, but re-
lection OF attempted service was not Intentional
and McKane himself had received offer Of
paper in this connection. He declared that there
was no violence except that caused by the at
tacking party. Then. in pathetic way. he said
1t would appear to the jury that Mr. McKane's
az all their witnesses were under Indictment
He argued that there no evidence to show
that Mr. McKane counseled advised the in
spectors of election to violate any law, and the
jury were asked by the prosecution to draw
an inference from certain alleged facts In order
to convict the defendant of crime.
With respect u the redistricting Of the town
Of Gravesend he discaimed any motive Of fraud
on the part OF the defendant but said that the
concentration of the polling places at the Town
Hall was in accordance with the wishes OF the
visits on the part OF Mckane 70 citizens In the
different localities. Their preference, according
10 Mr.. Roderick and subsequent testimony OF the
defendant was that the election booths for the
several districts should be located in the Town
Hall in order that the people might meet to-
gether. country folks enjoy doing on town
meeting occasions. Mr. Roderick said that In
1892 the population Of the town was In the
neighborhood of $1,000 though the state census
gave the population as 5000. lie explained this
by saying that during the summer months there
are thousands OF people living at Coney Island
and in other portions of the town aggregating
more than double these figures. Some OF them
live there until after Election Day. and do not
return to the city until the severe weather comes,
and these have a right to vote there. They
choose the town their legal residence. and
the law gives them the right 10 do II.
After a pathetic appeal to the jury. read from
typewriter manuscript not to blight the good
name of McKane. who according to counsel was
of fxFra q0h nfda nd
impulse. Mr.. ROderick took his
seat and Mr.. McKane was called the first
witness In bis own defence
BEGINNING THE TESTIMONY.
On the reassembling of the court at o'clock
the defendant took the stand. His demeanor
was calm and suggestive Of the consciousness
on his part Of sense Of deep outrage upon
him. His countenance Is ordinarily heavy, and
the expression on his face as he took the oath
was quite solemn, and his manner some
what nervous. He looked embarrassed. and In
response to the earlier questions his voice was
so low that he had to be reminded of the
OF speaking louder in order that not
only his counsel but the jurors might hear. The
courtroom crowded There was much
shufng OF feet and coughing and other an.
moving sounds and Judge Bartlett was obliged
at times to sterny pound the desk in front Of
him with his gavel to preserve order. About
o'clock he directed the gallery doors to be closed
against the surging crowd seeking entrance
where space remained for their accommoda-
tion
Judge Troy conducted the direct examination.
The witness asked 10 his age and nativity
and he said he was ffty-two years old. born
In Ireland. but had been resident OF Gravesend
or It's neighborhood since he two years OF
age. He had been builder for many years, but
vas now engaged in real estate business. He was
serving his sixteenth year as Supervisor OF the
town: at one time he had refused TO be can.
iidate because he desired to show. in the pres
ance OF some opposition. that he did not seek, Of
his own ord. To retain the position,
and also because the office entaed con-
siderable labor upon him and much trouble. His
requests however were not compiled with. and
ne continued to serve. He said he was a member
If the Board OF Health. Of the Town Board, OF
he Water Board. OF the Board of Police and the
Improvement Board. and Supervisor he was
member ex-officlo Of all. number OF questions
we're asked him TO the functions OF those
bodies He said that the police force the year
'ound. consisted now of about thirty-six men.
md during the summer there an increase