The morning call., 1895-01-24
Regarding the Alleged Bribery Of
Police Judges.
ALL AFTER An OLD MANS MONEY.
Exciting Time Between The Witness and
AttOrnGyS-IHVeStigatiOn Not
Yet Finished.

erlnaQ, bOU jessie street, against ATTORNEY
John A. Harris, that he had asked him for
an extra heavy fee of $3.50, saying that
most of the amount would have to be used
bribing the Judge, Prosecuting Attorney
and other officials, was taken up yesterday
afternoon for an hour.
After Mrs Rosie Samons, Seventh
street, known as ''the gypsy life-reader, "
had given her evidence in the case against
Alderman of committing an indecent act,
she was questioned as to what she knew
about the bribery scandal.
Attorney Mack, counsel for Alderman,
Attorney Pistolesi, special prosecutor in
the case against Alderman, and Attorney
Harris took active parts in the proceed
ings. Personal determinations were fire.
quently exchanged between Mack and
Pistolesi, until finally the Judge threatened
to order the bailiff to put them out of
court.
Mrs. Samons is a woman of prepossessing
appearance about 80 Yeas of age. Her
husband is an invalid and is in Los Angeles
for his health. She was inclined to be
hyteriCal at first and complained of heart
trouble, but when Attorney Harris began
to question her all signs OF hysteria or
heart weakness disappeared as if by magic
woman with a sharp tongue.
ESIn answer to Attorney Mack she said she
had known Alderman for two years. She
and her husband lived for a month in his
house When Alderman had the trouble
with Mrs. COombs about her children he
went to witness house, and stayed there
till he was arrested.
attorney Harris came to my house, :"
she continued, ''every day to ask the old
man for more money. The last time he
called accompanied by a friend, l made
up my mind to hear what was said as
had been told to watch Harris. l heard
Harris tell the old man that he must have
$3.50 more, as nine or ten policemen were
willing TO saear that he had been acting
more like q giddy youth running after
young women than a sensible old man,
and it would require money to shut peo-
pies mouths and open the prison doors
for him.
'The old man told him he had no
money, and Harris asked him to sign a
note, but the old man said he did not want
to have anything more to do with him, as
he had employed another lawyer.
when Harris left I followed him to the
door and spoke to him about the way he
was trying to get so much money out of
The old man, and he told. me it was neces-
sary to bribe the policemen and get the
Judge squared
Now, madam" said Attorney Harris,
Ibid you ever hear me use the word
Judge or police in the presence of the old
MANI"
mo" replied Mrs. Samons, after a
pause, but you said it to me-"
who was present when you say spoke
about the nine or ten policemen"
The old man, Fanny, your friend and
yourself
And they could hear every word that
was said ?''
4 suppose so. They were near enough.
is it not fact that you induced the old
man 70 make will in your favor OF all his
property?"
at is false" said the witness, sharply, as
her face flushed with anger.
Had you arranged to keep the old man
for the remainder OF his life for S25 per
month? ?"
Yes, admitted the witness, 81 was to
live in his house and care for him."
Attorney Pistolesi took up the examina-
tfon and the first question be asked raised
a storm Attorney Mack objected and
holly remarked that IF this investigation
Is to 90 on | want a lawyer who under
stands the rules of evidence to conduct it. F"
q don't require any lessons from you,
retorted Pistolesi, angrily. Il have for
gotten more about the rules of evidence
than you ever knew"
'Stop that said the Judge The at
torneys kept jangling at each other till the
Judge instructed the bailiff to escort them
out of court. Then there was peace.
Pistoiesi asked the witness some ques-
tons about her husband and her means of
livelihood, and reused her to fury by call
ing her 'The Gypsy Queen"
81 want you to understand, sir" she
said, with flashing eyes, ''that l am re-
spectacle woman, and will not allow YOU
or any other man to call me the Gypsy
Queen. That woman lives on Market
street"
Tut, tut" said the Judge, soothingly. !
Don't lose your temper"
Now, madam" chimed in Attorney
Harris, sis it not fact that you told me
to use my influence with the old man to !
get rid OF Fanny, as she was always getting
money from him and you wanted to get it !
all yourseif?"
II did not, said the witness, defantly |
land # you say did, you lie"
you must not use such language in my |
court said the Judge.
THAT man there is trying to blacken nv |
f" retorted the witness. 81 told |
him that Fanny was always asking the old |
man for money, and IT was a shame, but |
did not say l wanted it all for myself. He
was always telling us, continued the wit !
ness, that his partner, Graham, was
-essing him for money, and he must have
OIdndD Was Never III NY mouse, DuB
lat man was there every day.
This concluded the testimony of the wit
ess and the further hearing in the inyes-
CATION was adjourned till this evening.
S Mrs Samons left the court with
emale companion she looked daggers at |
Harris and said: "He made me SO mad I |
telt as if could have scratched his eyes
out"
Attorney Harris complained to the Judge |
hot cd hao1 Cd Ha
was at a loss to understand why he was
still on trial He denied that either in |
case or any other had he been |
guilty of any corrupt practice, and OBJ |
iected to remaining under cloud on the |
testimony Of such people.
The Judge told him the case was more |
serious against him. The whole evidence |
would be submitted to the Bar Association, |
and he would have every opportunity of |
defending himself before the Investigation
was concluded.