Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-01-03

charged by Louise Smith, keeper of 4
disorderly house, with taking from her
six pocket handkerchiefs, a gold
headed cane, a pistol, a pair of slip
perS. velvet vest, and a dozen and q
half pairs of socks. Williams said he
did not remember it.
The afternoon session was called to
witness chair. The testimony was
opened by Mr.. Golf asking Mr. Will
liams number of questions as to the
number of women in disorderly houses
IN the eighth district Mr.. Williams
objected TO the document from which
Mr.. Golf read
L don't know where you got it." said
he, and it was long time ago.
Don't mind where l got it, replied
Mr. Cot. 1T contains matters that
have been suppressed by the police de
partment. They suppressed a good
many things about you, you know
They seemed to suppress everything
good Mr.. Williams replied
DR.. Walsh testified that Captain Me-
kin was not able to be out and prob
ably would not be for several DAYS.
Now DOCTOR said Mr.. Golf, in his
sweetest tones, will you bear this
message to Captain Meakin? Tell
him that he has been accused before
the committee of being guilty of brib-
cry and corruption. Tell him, also.
that if he is an honest man he will
come here in obedience to the sub
poena served on him.
inspector Williams was recalled and
said that he knew of three panel
houses in the eighth precinct.
You Swore before recess that there
were no panel houses in the precinct"
Yes, to the best of my recollection"
Senator O'Connor then entered into a
long legal argument with Mr.. Golf as
to whether the inspector was guilty of
perjury.
Louis Streep, green goods operator
was called. This witness created a
sensation by telling a story involving
Anthony ComStock. May %, 1889"
said Streep, two indictments were
found against me for operating in
green goods. Anthony Comstock was
the prosecutor. Comstock told me
that if | would give up the name Of
my accomplice 1 should get off with a
light punishment l refused to do so.
Edward Bechtat called and gave my
time was $1,000 but was reduced short
ly after to $4,000. In August, 1890, 1
called On COmStOck with my brother.
He told me that the state indictment
would be dismissed on the payment of
$1,000. Mr.. COmstock said: Mind the
$1,000 is not in the shape of d bride.
1t is, a subscription to the society," 1
asked whether if L paid the money 1
might not be brought up at all. On
Comstock's promise, l paid him $1,000
the following Friday the indictment
was, dismissed. Comstock subsequent
IL called on me to get me to swear
that Bechtel was an accomplice of
mine, l refused and he threatened to
bring me before the United States
court. l asked him for time to con-
slider the matter. Bechtel was arrested
on the charge of stealing 500 from
the American Express company. He
Shields. Negotiations We're carried on
with him by Comstock and he paid
Comstock $1,000. The following day
he was discharged. United States Dis
trict Attorney John A. Mott also got
$1,000. l was then arrested and en-
plOyed Lawyer Hess. / told all about
COmStock to Commissioner Shields.
ComStOck was asked to tell what hap
pened in his office but declined to do
so. | was held for trial and was con-
victed last June. My case has been ap-
pealed,"
Robert Streep, a brother of Louis,
corroborated the formers testimony.
Mr.. Golf said that the committee while
inquiring into the abuses of the police
department had a perfect right to en-
quire into the administration of the
law Sc far as the state is concerned
and that was the reason that he sub
mitted this evidence. 1t has been
shown that green-goods operators
could escape punishment by bribing
Mr.. Comstock, agent of the society for
the suppression of vice. The commit
tee then adjourned until today.