The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-14
He CAUSED A SENSATION
Investigation Of the DR.. Robinson
Charge Is interrupted.
COLONEL BOIES MADE A SCENE

.
References to Dr. Robinson Caused
No End Of ntiOu -DccisiOu
Of Mayor Connsii II Reserved.
An exciting episode last night marked
the close Of the investigation In Mayor
Connell's reception Office Of the pulpit
charge of Rev. DR.. Charles E. Robinson
against Lieutenant of Police Davis and
Patrolman Block. A decision was not
given last night. Mayor Connell and
his advisors will meet soon to consider
the case.
The proceedings were suddenly in
terrupted by Colonel H. M. Boies. who
protested against what he alleged were
malicious imputations by Attorney John
F. Scragg against DR.. Robinson. pastor
Of the church Of which Colonel Boies Is
a member. Mr.. Scragg was In the
midst of his argument at the time. Be-
fore any of the chief parties to the in
Quiry could regain his composure. there
was a spicy bit Of dialogue in which
Colonel Boies, Mayor Connell. Mr..
Scragg and DR.. Robinson had their say.
1t was something for which the spec
tators were wholly unprepared.
As early as o'clock spectators began
to gather in the main corridor Of the
building. They were not admitted to
the mayors office until the attorneys.
their clients. the court and friends of
DR.. Robinson were seated. 1t was then
7.30 o'clock. When the doors were OPEN
ed there was wild scramble and much
pulling and hauling for positions of
vantage.
The beginning Of the proceedings wit
messed Mayor Connell and his advisors.
Thomas ]. Foster, Luther Keller and
Captain w. A. May. seated in their GUS
tomary places behind the large oak
table. each with a 96-page copy Of the
evidence before them. Attorney scragg
was attended by only one Of the ac-
cused officers, Patrolman Block; the
other. Lieutenant Davis. was attending
his usual duties as night commander Of
the central precinct squad.
DIR. Robinson was accompanied by
]. w. Guernsey. James A. Linen, A. B.
Williams. II. C. Shaffer. ]. A. Lansing,
and F. c. Fuller, each an officer of DR..
RobinsOn's church.
Ills Presence was Almost Unknown.
Colonel Boies did not put In an ap-
pearance.until the proceedings were
well under way, and then he occupied
a position a few feet distant from the
north wall of the room behind;a pillar
and several reporters. SO his presence
was almost unknown until he so sud-
denly startled everybody by his inter-
ruption.
In the beginning there was some quib-
bling between counsel as to which
should make the opening argument.
Mr.. Scragg, for the accused. said. al
though it was the custom for the de-
fense to open, he hoped Mr. Hawley
would waive legal precedent in this
civil case. Mr.. Hawley's brief objection
was sustained by Mayor Connell, and
Mr.. Scragg began his address.
He argued nearly an hour and half.
and devoted large part of his intro
ductiOn to scathing reference to Dr.
Robinson and Mr.. Guernsey. He laid
especial stress upon his belief that a
motive. which had not been revealed.
prompted DIR. Robinson in his persecu-
tiOn of the two accused officers. Per
secution" and not prosecution" he
several times repeated. ~as the proper
designation of the action.
Mr. Scragg had intimated It might
have been political influence. or, the
motive might be found "in the fact that
some Of the sons Of aristocratic houses
on the hill had fallen from the way
of rectitude; certainly, the whole pro-
ceeding from beginning to end reflected
particular shame upon this man Guern-
sey. and shame upon the pastor"
1t was at this point that Colonel Boies
opened the sensational feature of the
investigation. After his voice was first
heard he was seen standing with
flushed face and fairly quivering with
anger. Mayor COnnell was the first to
recover and made reply to Colonel
Boies. Then followed the dialogue
among several Of the principle figures,
and during its progress there was not
so much as the shifting of foot or
other sound which might have rendered
difficult the hearing Of what was said.
This is what was said:
Would Not submit to 1t.
Colonel Boies-I protest. your honor.
against the language being used here.
should be ashamed to be a witness of your
honor's permitting this attorney (Mr.
Scragg) to villify q pastor of the church
Of which am a member and not raise my
voice in protest. As DIR. Robinson's friend
I will not submit to any more such
Mayor Conne,l--I think you do not un-
derstand the matter. cannot guide Mr..
Scragg in his statements. Whatever he
has said has been been uttered as the at
torney of the accused officers. He
Colonel Boies-He has impugned the
honesty and character Of a Christian min
lister, and as his parishioner and as
citizen I shall continue to protest.
Mr.. Scragg-If you want to give testi-
mony here, we'll be pleased to halt the
proceedings.
Colonel Boies-As member of the Sec
ond Presbyterian church, It's my privi-
lege to protect my pastor.
Mr.. ScraggA guess the motives I re-
ferred to are appearing now.
Mayor Connell-Wait. Mr.. Scragg. You
must understand Colonel Boies that there
Is certain amount Of legal license which
is bound to crop out In a matter OF this
kind and which even court of law does
not attempt to suppress
Colonel Boies-I reiterate, your honor.
you ought not to permit such statements
to be made.
Mayor Connell--I cannot regulate the
speech of any one engaged In the argu-
ments. I have watched DIR. Robinson's
face and have not discovered that ne was
annoyed.
Dr.. Roblnson-1 appreciate Colonel
S-t- l-ta