New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-27
SHEEHAN WILL NOT ANSWER
A PIG.HEADED WITNESS.
THE COMMISSIONER LOSES HIS TEMPER
COMPLETELY.

PLY TO THE oUEsTIoNs-cONFUsED AssER.
TIONs ON THE SUBJECT OF HIS 'INFLU-
ENcE' THAT WAS soUGHT-HE UN-
BLusHrNGLY SAYS HE WANTED
WILLIAMS MADE COMMISSIONER
"BLUE-EYED BILLY"
BROTHER. HELPS HIM OUT
HOW CROKER CLOSED
THE PooI-RooMs
The Lexow Committee had long and inter.
esting session with Police Commissioner John 9.
Sheehan yesterday. He the only witness
examined before the committee during the day,
and his testimony was not completed when q
recess taken late in the afternoon. At times
he was most stubborn witness. refusing to an
swer questions propounded by John w Goff. Of
the Committees counsel. and there several
exhibitions of anger account Of the questions.
The Commissioner declared more than once that
he would refuse to answe1 questions not bearing
upon his official duties, or upon alleged bribery
and corruption IN the Police Department. Lieu
tenant Governor Sheehan. the brother Of the
witness was present to give all possible aid
and announcement to him. and he remained
there in spite Of the publicly expressed intma-
ton that he was giving assistance TO the VIII
ness There a change in the scene OF the
examinatior the courtroom Of Part | OF the
Superior Court having been set apart for the
use of the committee and the room was crowded
with spectators.
Commissioner Sheehan wes questioned closey
about his contracts in Long Island city, ana ne
insisted upon making long explanations regard
ing the manner in which he had obtained the
contracts amounting to 100000. He denied that
he had obtained contracts in return for influence
o,iclo
brother. the Lieutenant-Governor. He also de-
clared that his brother had no interest in the
contracts IN Long Island City suit for soo'oo''
the witness said had been begun against news
paper on account of published articles about the
contracts.
The influence which Police Inspector Alexander
s Williams might have exerted IN regard "
Mr. Sheehans contracts was inquired into. "l'i-
Jams is a subordinate OF the Police ComNissio"
in this city and Williams's brother Is h'e"-
her of the commission In Long Island CITY tnat
awarded the contracts t. Mr.. Sheehan. Inc
kind Of Republican that Inspector "iiiidms %
may be inferred from ohe part OF the Coihi's-
sioner's testimony yesterday MI sheehah ao-
mitted that he had desired the appointment VI
rrsnactor Wul,ams as q Commissioner or Ponce
several months ago. when the term OF Vliies "a
Commissioner MacLean was about 10 eAp.re an1
Mayor Cilroy had decii ID to appoint Repu1-
ucan In Mr.. Macledn pldC'. =.
iams with a brother having voice IN tre
awardirg ~ contracts. nal even asked for the
Influence Of Commissioner Sheehan a laiiidny
loader In the effort 10 secure appointment aS q
commissioner Mr. Goff had the witness .ei'
10 the committee yesterdaj some OF the pau re-
ports he had heard about Williams ana 'heh
asked: r.. n.,t.o cor,-
rnissioner-your preference.
Commissioner Sheehan answered les
In the afternoon Mr.. Goff drew from Commis-
sioner Sheehan an admission that the poolrooms
had been allowed 10 run IN the cty uh'ii i,'CIiiu
croker Tammany's boss at the time, had gwen
,ba ,vorI 10 have the police close the poorooms:
The testimony indicated mat Mr.. Croker hao
givar tho word to President Martin the otner
,r,mn,anv member Of the Police Board ana tnae
Mr. Martin had passed the word To Superintena-
eot Byrnes who had given me ORDERS 10 INC
nolice 10 shut up the poolrooms. Mr. Sheehah
asdrnitted that all he personally did was to coin
I eide" with Mr. Martin. The other TWO Coiillnis
siorers had not been consulted. so far as ne
knew and there had been no ohlcial actoh W
the Police Board on that subject
Mr. Sheehan had heard something ABOUT lioneS
| hoing naid for the protection II the poorooms'
| baf,re no "coincided' with his Tammany col
/ league upon the suggestion 10 nave .nG p0t ~
rooms closed He had made an investigation ne
declared by asking some OF the proprletois -
the pooirooms II any money had peeh pau y.
them Mr. GOff's nsinua;ions regardihs thas
ne,hod of making an investigation led 10 one VI
tho Commissioners Outbursts or anger 80, -.
! Mr. Sheehan also tried 10 give clean pli Q.
,eolth to the Pcduod Club Of which ne Is the
nresidant and incidentally admitted that ola.
/ n,ond necklace had been given by members VI
the club to his bride at the time Of MS marriage.
Tho committee will continue the lnVesusdio"
on Monday.
,,nr,c coppr-S FOR MRS HERMAN.