The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-14

far forgot himself as to break In here in
SO unceremonious q fashion. but 1t makes
me more than certain that some Of my
theories In regard to this case are correct.
Interrupted Argument Resumed.
Then Mr.. Scragg continued his argu-
ment from the point where occurred the
interruption. 1t was practically a plea
to have impeached the testimony Of
Karcber and Koehler in particular.
four important witnesses.
Mr.. Hawley's argument for the prose-
cution occupied about half as long a
period as did that of the opposing coun-
sci. He made no reference to the char
acter. good or bad. of the accused off,
GERS. but argued almost entirely upon
quotations he made from the testimony.
He laid special stress upon his allega-
tion that the words directed" in the
afiidavits Of denial signed by all the
policemen had a pen mark drawn
through them. and that the words lied"
stood alone In the affidavits instead Of
lied or directed" as contained in the
original composition. This, he said. was
no doubt done because the policemen
would not perjure themselves by swear
ing they had not directed" persons to
houses of infamy, and to evade DIR. Rob-
inson's correct language that young
men in whom he was interested had
been directed to houses of infamy. ETC.,
ETC." Continuing. he said:
In New York. through the Lexow COM
Vv,tft inft nd tu,v,
onments OF police officers were caused
and in every case there were the same
salient points as in this case. They were
convicted on the testimony OF prostitutes,
greengoods men and others associated In
police crime. although in each case there
was denial and good character evidence.
That our witnesses were bad enough to
inquire about houses Is not. strange.
Would you have US put our testimony for
ward through other sources? When they
first made their affidavits they did not
know their testimony would be used
against the officers: they were only pre-
vailed upon to give their public testi-
mony afterward: so there could not have
been any desire to harm the officers.
About the denials Of the accused. They
have done only what most anyone would
have done under the same circumstances,
but there are three witnesses against one
and two against the other. This tes.i-
mony has hurt the standing. may be. Of
our witnesses among certain element,
but not among those who know what
was their humiliation.
There Is no need of introducing impossi-
bilities. New York policemen have been
convicted on less testimony than was
introduced In this trial. Yet with our few
witnesses, they have not been allowed 10
testify to their subsequent reformation.
II you are going to base your decision on
the fact that these young men were too
debased to give competent testimony, you
will wait until the judgment day before
you see a similar decision In a court of
law.
Remarks OF Mayor COnuclI.
Mr.. Hawley took frequent occasion to
say that public sentiment had been
turned against DR.. Robinson and Mr..
Guernsey through the reports in the
newspapers The remarks of Mayor
Connell after Mr.. Hawley had conclud-
ed. created no little attention and inter-
est. He said:
II had no intention of making any re-
marks at the conclusion OF this investi-
cation, but owing to what has occurred
here tonight l will state publically what
i had intended communicating to DIR.
Robinson In personal letter. Whether
this court of inquiry shall sustain the
charges against the accused officers or
not, the honest motive which guided DR..
Robinson In making his charge on
Thanksgiving Day Is not questioned by
Inc. l want to state that I believe he
made his assertion in a complete and
conscientious Christian spirit" Here
Mayor COnnell read a digest of portion
of the act designating the mayor as the
head of the police department., thus in
dicating the cause for his action in re-
Questing that DR.. Robinsons charge be
sustained.
The words directed" in the police de-
nial affidavits. he said, We're stricken
out by his own hand because they were
considered superfluOus. When the in
vestigation began there was a tacit
agreement between the court and both
counsel that directed" and lied" should
be considered as synonymous words as
was the word. ."guided," which he, the
mayor, used in his question to each of
the accused officers and the four chief
witnesses Of the prosecution.
Rest Thing That COuld Happen.
81 wish to publicly announce" said
the mayor. that I think the charge
made by DR.. Robinson il one Of the best
things that could have happened. be-
cause, no matter what the result of this
investigation will be. it will impress up
on the policemen of this city the fact
that they are in the public eye and are
constantly in danger of overstepping
a dangerous boundary
This closed the investigation. DR..
Robinson approached the table at which
sat the mayor. They clasped hands.
Il thank you, mayor" said DR.. Rob-
inson.
THANK you. Doctor" said the mayor,
Mayor Connell told Tribune reporter
that the time for announcing his decis-
ion upon DR.. Robinson's charge is un-
certain. He said he would have to con-
suit the convenience. of mis- three coun-
sellors for conference.
DINNER TO MIR. HARRISON.