The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-01
MANY ARE CALLED.
But Few of General Brennan'S Wit
neSSeS Ever Show Up.

Nobody answered aye last night when
General Bren nan called the roll OF his
witnesses at the 18th session Of the license
investigation, and there was an awk-
ward silence in the council chamber
which lasted 40 minutes by the watch OF
Chairman Fuller.
The burlesque was largely OF a panto-
mime nature with but few speaking parts.
The committee retired into executive
session three times during the evening to
see what they would do about ii and finally
decided to do just what General brennan
wanted them to and adjourn subject to
his convenience.
In the meantime, however, and between
the intervals OF the committees secret
sessions there were three men on the
stand.
At the outset the prosecuting officer in
the interests of an unnamed client said
that two OF his very important witnesses
would not be present and he asked for a
continuanc with the assurance that they
would be there sure next time. lie was
reminded of the fact that he had given
that assurance twice before and this made
the general mad. He told the committee
that IL they wouldn't investigate oil he
wanted them to another committee
would. That's the third time he has IN
dulged in that pleasantly.
He enumerated the witnesses who had
refused 20 come and would nave one mr.
rested and then with sweeping gesture
that took in oil the portraits of the May
ors he said ''Mr. Patrick w. Baxter
please take the stand" +"
But Mr.. Baxter, who was leaning back
in Councilman Trueman's seat, said,
"General, not on your life; have not
been summoned
This troubled the general and chairman
Fuller and they cried in chorus for
taaC n oh y
Baxter was there individually and admit
ted 1t, but not officially and the legal
lights on the committee were puzzled.
They went outside to consider ii and the
general conferred with MIR. z. j. McCar-
thy, anu Mr.. Baxter awaited develop
ments.
They came finally in the shape OF a sug-
gestion that he be offered 60 cents as wit
ness fees and that would constitute a
summons. This seemed to work and Mr..
Baxter allowed Chairman Fuller TO admin
lister the go cent oath. Then he testified
that four years ago he received horse and
carriage at fair given-by the Continen-
tai Band because he had the biggest vote
on the "most popular man issue" 1t
was good horse, with white star on
its forehead and later on Mr.. Baxter sold
the horse to Comm issioner Paine for s400.
This was the conclusive evidence by
which General Brennan wished TO prove
gift from Tobias Burke. lie failed to show
the connection between the band fair
and the Torrens system. Chairman Full
Ter was convinced, however.
Mr.. James Dolan was the next witness
under protest General Brennan called
him with an air of a man who had a dead
sure thing, but Dolan had heard thu pre-
limiuary Baxter dialogue and wasn't easy
a bit. He replied: "Gen'ral Brennan,
not on your tintype. amt summoned
and amt under no oath and won't say a
thing"
Chairman Fuller gave the general n
sympathetic Kick under the table and
assumed the task OF getting Mr.. .Dolan
into the arena.
"Mr. Dolan," he said, "by the power
vested in this honorable committee to do
all things to its liking, do summon you
to come hither, and that goes"
This was irresistible and Dolan saunt-
cred in, but he said ne wouldn't say any
thing. lie handed I'm rescript To the
effect that being sworn once before didn't
amount to anything. General Brennan
fished for 60 cents more Chairman Full
Ter intimated that he had oaths to burn
and administered another one to Dolan.
Alderman burbank administered n rebuke
ard the ex-prize fighter said, "that's
different"
lie wilted as he never had before since
and ties flied that at one time he tended
bar Of Weybosset street. The secret was
out and the session was adjourned until
1erman Fuller feel like little diversion.