Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-29
ANTHONY COMSTOCK,
BEFORE THE LExoW COMMITTEE, BUT
NOT FOR vINplcATloN.
Williams Examined ~ to His Finances
Commissioners Martin on the Stand
Adjournment To-Day.


NEW YORK. December 2s.-Anthony
Comstock did not appear before the Iexow
Committee to-day for vindication. al
though he was present as a spectator at
one stage OF the proceedings. AT the out
set the chairman announced thai the
committee had received letter from
Mr.. Comstock In regard to Streets testi-
mony. I'VE have considered the letter
OF Mr.. Comstock's," said the chairman.
"and have come to the conclusion that
the matter is not within our province,
therefore we cannot hear Mr.. Comstock."
Inspector Williams resumed the Witness
stand and was examined as to his fnan-
cal condition. After a great deal of
sparring Mr.. Con- obtained from the In
srector the stitement that he was worth
about $4,000 or $4,000. which did not in
clude the family residence, In Tenth street.
Wills ms admitted having received $1,000
or 5000 from Fleiss and Hoey,
whiskey men. This was paid in cash
In various sums, and was voluntary
offering on the part of the contributors.
AS Williams put II, "Mr. Fleiss told me
he was dealing In stocks. and he would
take chances fer me and give me the re-
s0t. That was In 1875"
ibid you ever invest a dollar with him
FOR the purchase of stocks?'
mo, SIR"
'what had you done to cause him to be
so friendly to you?"
Nothing"
"And you-a police captain-accepted
sums of $1,000 or 5000 from a man in
whose hands you never placed a dollar for
speculation
He was friendly to me-"
''How did you look at that transac-
tion?"
"Fleiss offered me the money, and
took it,
Ibid not you consider IT indellcate?''
mo sir; thought II was good thing"
BY implication. Mr.. Gor, in his ques-
tions. accused Williams of receiving valu-
able presents from keepers Of dives. dis
orderly houses, ETC.. but Williams could
not be cornered. He denied everything,
and sometimes with considerable heat.
DOESN'T KNOW WHAT DIVE"
MEANS.
In the course of his part of the ex-
animation Williams professed ignorance
of the meaning of the word dive"
MT. Etdu ltSsci WhiNh HiayCA
Hewitt wrote to the police commissioners
complaining about the. violation OF the
laws In the Tenderloin Precinct when
Williams was captain.
"Did Mayor Hewitt write what was true
or false?"
"He wrote what was false"
"Did the grand jury, when they entered
a proteslation against you, state what
was untrue?'
"Yes, SIR"
"Oh! they IRE all liars, suppose" f"
snapped Mr.. Goff.
The Inspector was excused for mo-
ment, and young man named Morris
Rosenfei took the stand.
"Where do you live?" asked Mr.. Con.
81 am afraid TO give my present resi-
dence as the police would Kill me- said
Rosenfeld
He sah he visited Inspector Williams
on September TIN last. ~ was standing
by a saltwater stand when q police
man came up and struck me without pro-
vocation. / went TO headquarters to COM
plain about the officer / met Inspector
Williams and he asked me how much
money 1 would settle the case for said
| | came TO get justice. and did not want
| money. The Inspector said, Then you
| don't care for money l said / did not,
and ne called me a liar 'Sheenys,' said
| ne, killed Christ for a few pieces OF sill
yer.' He then or6ered me out OK his
room"
But Inspector Williams" said Mr.. Con
"said to-day that II you swore this you
/ " .re' telling a l!e."
~ am not lying, sir. Inspector Williams
| Is liar IL he said So"
After ,ecess 1t was definitely announced
~ n hat fha mi
| would sit tomorrow and then adjourn.
Captain John Delaney was called and
examined. He owns some property, and
| his answers to questions about how he
acquired II soon secured his release from
| the stand. Mr.. Goff said: Captain De-
| laney, in mercy to you I will allow you
| to go without further question. In re-
| spect for your dead wife I will not ask
! you anything further about this money.
COMMISSIONER MARTIN.
Commissioner Martin was then called
| He said he was a prominent member oi
| Tammany Hall, but he knew nothing
| about payments from liquor-dealers tC
| Tammany. He heard that money wa'
| being paid to the police by liquor-dealers
| but could get no proof OF 1t.
| Mr.. Goff read letters from Tammany
| Hall recommending applicants for the
| police force. Among tne WHITES OF tn'
| letters were william II. C. Sulzer, Chair
man Hinckley, and Roswell p. Flower
| "And So" said Mr.. Con. ut comes tC
| pass that the New York police force ha.
| been made the stamping-ground for ap
| picatons from all over the StateT
| "Yes, SIR" responded Mr.. Martin, "an(
| from other States"
The witness was asked what he though
| of the organization Of the police at th'
| Chicago Fair by General Rice, who sait
he would not accept letters of recon-
| mendation from any public man.
| II believe" said he, that 1t would
| be hard to find body better In physiqu'
| than the New York police?'
| "And 1 say" added Mr.. Goff, ''that +
| would be hard to find a more DEGRADED
| body of men than the New York police
| force"
"welI, they haven't Lexow committee:
| in other cities yet" laughingly said th'
| witness.
Mr.. Goff then asked II 1t were possible
for corruption to have existed In th'
police force without the knowledge o
the witness.
Eyes. SIR" replied Mr. Martin, "and l
did exist without my knowledge by Cap
| tain Schmlttberger."
The Commissioner was released afte
| promising to return tomorrow and ex
i ylaf, hfa financial affairs