The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-27
LIKE AN OYSTER.
Counselor Clarke Again
in Trouble.
He Refuses to Disclose Where His
Property Has Gone, and Is Conn
mitted for Contempt.

Counselor Alfred Clarke is In trouble aga In.
He is once more within the clutches of the law,
and, as before, all through his Obduracy In re-
fusing to assist his creditors TO get an idea OF
where his estate has gone.
On account OF the intention of the counselor's
attorney, frank NJ. 5 one, 10 undertake an
Eastern trip very shortly the examination OF
Clarke, originally fixed for February 2, was
held yesterday by mutual consent That is TO
say, II was called by courtesy an examination,
although it was we'll known beforehan nd that
CLARKE would refuse to answer single ques.
lion. However, the parties appeared IN court
Yesterday before Judge Levy, and warren
0lney, ON behalf of Eli L. Sheppard, assignee
of the creditors proceeded TO ask The coun-
selor few questions.
"Mr Clarke, how long have you resided IN
San Francisco?"
'FOrty-tbree years"
Have you made any conveeyances OF property
belonging you within the last two yearS?"
Clarke looked thoughtful ITO that last
question:" he replied, 1.-THE witness answers
that Alfred Clarke positively declines TO give
any information on the subject He declines to
answer on The point hat such answer might act
TO his prejudice in the case of criminal pro-
ceedingS being taken against him."
1he question was again put, but Clarke still
refused 10 answer.
Have you disposed of any property since the
petition In insolvency was tea ?''
Still no answer.
Have you not from time to time purchased
the warrants OF police officers and employees of
III CITY SiuCc lLo ullUR Oh mat
Tie counselor answered not.
Nov, If you did purchase, where did you
get the mOney?'
Clarke looked something like martyr as he
preserved his grim sill nee.
Then Warren Olney asked that the court
make an order compelling Clarke!to answer The
questions or else be commit 10 jail for con-
tempt OF court Stone SAID that he had himself
advised Clarke not TO answer. he knew that
such answer would tend 10 convict in the event
OF criminal proceedings being taken. He asked
that il the court maze any such order Clarke
be turned over 10 the Sheriff merely In formal
manner, in order that counsel might have time
TO take the necessary steps 10 procure writ Of
ha Dea corpus from the Supreme Court.
OlDey said that Clarke had tritied with the
court long enough. His conduct was without
parallel as instanced by his refusal to file the
schedule of his assets aud liabilities. The
creditors were getting tired
Judge Levy said be was satisfied that the
questions put to Clarke were perfectly proper,
and should be answered. 81 shall make an
order" he sad committing Clarke TO the
County jail until he consents TO answer these
questions. OF course. Mr. Stone, | VIII give
you time TO apply to The Supreme Court. Then,
if that court decides TO release Clarke on
! bonds, this court has nothing more TO do with
tn case"
Eventually it was agreed that Stone should
have until O'Clock TO prepare the necessary
papers, and Mrs. Johanna Clarke was called
TO the witness-stand. But when be first ques-
ton was put to her Stone objecl ed on the
ground that the law did not compel a wife TO
testify against her husband without luis con.
sent.
Mr.. Oiney Insisted that the proceedings
Levy continued the examination, refusing to
pass upon the objection until the SUPP eme
Court bad dealt with Clarke himself.
The necessary order was signed in Judge
Levy's chambers during the afternoon, aud
last evening Stone got out a writ of habe as
corpus returnable before the Supreme Court.