The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1895-06-15
THE COMMITTEE SURPRISED
BECAUSE REV. MR., M1SON DID NOT
APPEAR

Among Members of the General Assem-
bIy-What MI. Mason says-He Received
No Official Notice Nor Sunmons-Th'
Senate Committee Issues n subpoena fol
MIR. Mason and Mr.. PiddOck-The Hear.
ing Adjourned to Monday.
Hartford, June 1.-THE national flags
flying from the roof of the capitol told
the people Of Hartford that this was
flag day. But they told nothing of the
meeting of the senate committee APP
pointed to investigate the charges of
corruption among the members of the
general assembly made by Rev. j, II,
Mason, pastor of the First Baptist
church of New Haven.
Possibly the fact that the flags did
not tell Of the investigation was respon-
sible for the very few who sat around
the senate chamber from 1890 until 11;SO
awaiting the appearance Of Mr.. Mason.
Promptly at 1920, the hour set for
the investigation, Senator Webster of
Waterbury, chairman Of the commit
tee, and Senator Palmer, the second
member, appeared in the senate cham
Der and looked around for their col
league, Senator Lounsbury.
A minute afterwards a telegram was
received from Senator Lounsbury say
ing that he would be unable to reach
the capitol until after II o'clock
Rev. Mr.. Mason had not appeared,
neither had Rev. C. A. Paddock of Hart
ford, editor of the Christian Secretary,
the Baptist paper which published the
charges made by Mr. Mason.
There was good deal of talk dur
ing the interval before the arrival of
Senator Lounsbury in reference to the
non-appearance of the minister who
made the charges.
There was one rumor ailoat that Mr.
Mason had announced that he would
not come unless the hearing was pub
lie. Another was to the effect that
been officially notified
One member of the committee said
that Mr.. Mason would come before the
committee even If he came with hand
cuffs upon him. When Senator Louns-
bury arrived the COMMITTEES held con-
ference, after which Senator Webster,
the chairman. appeared in the senate
chamber and asked twice:
rs Rev. John H. Mason of New ia
ven or Rev. G. A. PiddocK of Hartford
or any representative OF either pres
ent?"
No response was heard and Senator
Webster then announced that the COM
mittee would meet at IL o'clock next
Monday morning.
1t is understood that both Mr.. Mason
and Mr.. Paddock will be subpoenaed and
if they do not appear a capias will be
issued for them.
The hearing on Monday will be pub
lie. The general feeling at the capitol
is that Mr. Mason will not appear un-
less compelled to and when he does APP
pear his charges will prove to be ground
less.
There was great disappointment at
the non-appearance OF the reverend
gentlemen and many reasons were, vol
unteered as the cause of his absence.
Rev. DR.. Poteat came up from New Ha-
ven in the morning, but was not at the
capitol Others from New Haven were
Representative Elliott, Fred s. Clark,
and F, w. Pardee. Others present in
the senate chamber during the waiting
were Senators Coffey, Marlgold, Fuller
and Averill, Representatives Warner of
Putnam, Lewis of Westbrook, Tibbals
of Milford, Washburne, the Father of
the House." from Stafford, Brwer of
Norwich and Gabb of Bloomfield.
SUBPOENAED TO APPEAR.
A subpoena was issued this afternoon
for Rev. John II. Mason of New Ha-
ven and Rev. c. A. Paddock Of Hart
ford, requiring them to appear before
the senate investigating committee in
Hartford next Monday morning at
o'clock.
Failure to obey the summons will
make the reverend gentlemen liable
to fine of 1000 and Imprisonment for
4 year.
WHAT PASTOR MASON SAYS.
Rev. John H. Mason was seen at his |
nome this afternoon by represen- |
ative of the Connecticut Associated |
Press and asked why he failed to APP
pear at Hartford to-day
He replied that he did not go before |
he committee because he was not in |
,ited or summoned. He announced |
hat he was both willing and anxious |
o appear III case ne WAS summoned, j
He said he was not in favor of a secret |
rearing. He wanted it to be public |
The whole affair was Of public nature
md should be given full publicity.
TWO LETTERS GOT MIXED.
Hartford, June 14-Rev. G. A. Pid-
locks explanation of non-appearance is
hat he received an envelope addressed
o him, but that the letter 1t contained
vas addressed to Rev. John II. Mason
f New Haven.
He explained that on Thursday he re-
eived a letter on which there was two
ents due. He opened it and found a
etter addressed to the Rev. Mr.. Mason.
# course he could not read the letter,
ut he looked at he signature and found
to be Senator Webster. He at once
rrote postal card to Senator Webster
skiing what he should do with the Rev.
Ir. Mason's letter.
OF course he had no official informal
on of the hearing to-day and did not
ttend.
This afternoon he was subpoenaed by
heriff Smith to appear at the adjourn
! hearing Monday. He says he shall
ertainly be on hand.
The Rev. Mr.. Paddock said he desired
public hearing, as he had no sympa-
ly with private investigation.