Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-28
Mr.. COMSTOCN INVOLVED
Grave Accusation Made Before the Lexow
Committee.
Said to Have Receised 81 900 for Ceas-
ing Prosecution Of "Green Goods'
Man HeI Denies 1t.

closed yesterday, Inspector Williams beng
on the stand, was asked
Did an officer named Willigan report
robbery in panel-houses to you when you
were in the eighth precinct?"
Il don't remember"
do you remember the number of In
mates In the eighty-three houses of i'll
fame?"
mo. I may have stated what the num-
Der was. 1 may have asked the proprie-
tress of eac-- house how many inmates she
had"
The witness and Mr.. Golf then had lit
tie tiff. Inspector Williams objected to the
document from which MIR. Golf read.
II don't know where you got It," said he,
land it is long time ago."
Don't mind where L got it," said Mr..
Goff.
1T contains matters that have been sup
pressed by the police department"
''rhey suppressed a good many things
about you, you know"
''They seemed to have suppressed every
thing good" was Williams reply.
Then Mr. Con maze some inquiries about
Williams Japanese possessions. Williams
SAID that they lay in Hakodate, in the
northern part of Japan, and that the title
popSio WSiC III thC poSSSoSioh u
Wllkie, who was once commercial agent for
the United States government.
Mr.. Goff reminded Wiiiiams that no for
eigner could hold Japanese land except
In treaty ports. Williams said this was a
treaty port. Mr.. Con replied that the con-
sui general Of Japan hat told him that 1t
was impossible for forei gner to own prop
erty in HakOdate at the time Wiinams
CLAIMED to have bought his, because there
had been no treaty, and therefore the port
was not a treaty port.
Williams then left the stand for brief
time.
Dr. Walsh was called and testified that
Capt. MealSin was not able to be about
days.
Now, DOCTOR" said Mr.. Golf, in his
sweetest tones. will you bear this message
to Capt. Meakin: Tell him he has been &C
cused before this committee of being guilty
of bribery and corruption. 1t. has been
stated that he has grown rich on the fruit
of this corruption Now tell him, also,
that if he is an honest man he VIII come
here in obedience to the subpoena served
on him."
The doctor then left the stand.
Then DIR. Daniel l. Donovan, one of the
police surgeons, gave synopsis or the
procedure of the police surgeons with re-
gard to meh reported i'll. The witness said
he had reported Capt Meakin i'll.
How much did you pay for your ap-
pointment?"
Nothing" -
"Who appointed you?''I
commissioner Maclean. Mayor Gilrcy
used his influence for me, as he was a
friend of mine. / was member of Tam
many Hall. l asked several well-known
political friends to use their influence for
ination. 1 was recommended by several
prominent physicians"
The Inspector Resumes.
J..nootor yyr;,I;o M, moo raoona1 IIo old
he knew of l.. &c panel houses in the
eighth precinct.
"You swore before recess that there were
no panel houses in the precinct?"
Eyes, to the best of my recollection"
Senator OConnell then entered INTO a
long legal argument with Mr.. Golf rs to
whether the Inspector was guilty OF per-
jury. The senator held he was not unless
the testimony was given with false and
corrupt intention. Mr.. Golf said that the
inspector might have been mistaken.
Yes" said the witness, II admit that
what / swore this morning was false, but
when / gave it believed it to be true"
Might there not have been more than
one panel house in the district?'
Yes. Do you know what panel house
is?"
This question by williams created laugh
ing his testimony in more becoming
manner.
II only want to give my evidence
straight" said the witness.
"Sergt. Grew swore that In these 81
houses of ill-fame there were 346 inmates.
He swore that he made complaints of these
houses to you. This evidence was given
before the commission. Is it true?'
II can't say"
WAS it not when these charges were
brought UP that your dismissal was de-
manded by one of the commissioners as an
Incompetent and disgraceful MANI
He did nothing of the kind
Mr.. Golf continued TO question the in
spector as to the disorderly houses. The
inspector admitted it was his duty to dis
cover and suppress them. This ended the
examination Of Inspector Williams.
Charges Against Anthony COmstOcl<.
Louis s. Streep, a green goods operator.
was called This witness created a scnsa-
ton by telling a story involving Anthony
Comstock.
ION May %, 1882" said Streep, two H.
dictments were found against me for oper-
ating in green goods. Anthony Comstock
was the prosecutor. Comstock told me that
If would give up the name of my ac-
complete / should get off with a light pun
ishment. l refused to do so. Edward
Bechtal called and gave my wife 5000 in
bills The bail was at that time 5000, but
was reduced shortly after to 5000. In
August 1890, ] called on Comstock with
my brother who told me that the state in
dictment would be dismissed on payment
Of 81, 900. Comstock said: Mind, the Sl,COO
Is not in the shape of a bride. 1t is a sub
scrption to the society l asked whether
II / paid him the money, / might not be
brought up at all. On Comstock's promise
l paid him 81 900, of which j got $500 from
my brother and 500 from my printing
office at &c Beekman street, which l sold.
On the following Friday the indictment was
dismissed"
Mr.. Goff produced the indictments which
bore in Endorsement, bearing date Septem-
Der %, 1890, that the district attorney hav-
ing moved that for reasons affecting the
administration Of law, the indictment was
dismissed.
"Comstock subsequently called on me and
asked me to swear that Bechtal was an ac-
complete Of mine. l refused, and he threat
ened to bring me before the United States
court. / asked him for time to consider
the matter. Bechtal was arrested on the
charge of stealing 500 from the American
Express Company. He was brought before
Commissioner Shields Negotiations were
carried on with him by Comstock and he
paid Comstock 81 goo. The following day
he was discharged. United States District
Attorney John A. Mott also got $1,000.
Il was then arrested and employed Law
Commissioner Shields. Comstock was ask
ed to tell what happened in his office, but
declined to do so. 4 was held for trial,
green goods circulars last June. My case
has been appealed
Robert Streep, brother Of Louis, corrobo-