The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-14

tic lNttllkAlAOn Vi A. IVY N~eN -
cross between an outrage and a farce
characterized the opening scenes of inves-
tigation, number two, series of 1896,
which was begun last night in the NUM-
cipal court room. The Alderman from
the Second Ward is on both committees
Investigation number two Is the result
of certain charges against the Board OF
license commissioners. The committee
in charge consists OF Aldermen Fuller,
and Burtank and Councilmen Waterman,
Smith, Howard and Miner.
The Alderman from Ward Two and Mr..
Smith attempted at the outset TO have the
hearings secret, in order that the public
might MOI get the impression that the
investigation should be reversed. Il.
would have been better in some respects
II their desire to shield themselves from
IL Jllc opinion behind closed doors had
been granted. A sense of the fitness Of
things, however, on the part OF the other
four gentlemen on the committee prevail
ed and the doors were wide open. No
standing room was left by 8 O'Clock, and
the atmosphere was most appropriate.
The first..point to be investigated was
on the claims of certain residents In the
vicinity of Bishop and Plain streets that
a license had been granted to Tobias
Burke for n FALCON on the corner of these
two streets in spite of a remonstrance
Ex-Counciiman Il. j. Mccarthy appear
red as attorney for the remonstrants and
examined the witnesses.
The first man called was Thomas Nixon,
clerk Of the commission. He was sworn
by Chairman Fuller and promptly became
q victim of witness-stand -fidgets.
Mr.. Nixon's ~ervousnes was painful.
There was not a question asked but that
he could have answered ~truthfully and
of fha QQrna Time in n UNIV TINT wnnIH
have disappointed the evident desire OF
the corruption hunters. But unfortunate
ly he became badly mixed in his state
ments.
Mr.. Mccarthy had a man named Me-
Donald answering questions in a way sug-
man talked about indignant property
holders, land plnts n distances most
glibly.
Commissioner Burnham asked one or
two questions which Mcdonald could not
answer, without showing that his side
had q ~ridiculously weak case. After he
had admitted inaccuracy and n lack of
knowledge concerning matters which he
had before been very positive about, the
committee OF Investigation became ner-
vous and Chairman Fuller informed Mr..
Burnham that his questions were out of
order.
THE INVESTIGATION BEGINS.
Chairman Fuller then announced that
the committee was ready to proceed with
the business for which 1t was appointed
n that the clerk woul first read the
resolution under which it was acting and
the accompanying papers. Clerk Daniel
+. Hayden read the resolution and the
petition for the inquiry, n when he
had concluded Chairman Fuller stated
that the committee was ready to hear
anyone representing the petitioners. r..
j. Mccarthy. ESQ.,, Immediately arose
from the chair he had previously occupied
at the reporters table and addressing the
committe e said:
"Mr. Chairman and members OF the
committee am requested by the petit
tioners to represent for your consideration
the facts n circumstances bearing on
the case stated Ia the petition. They real
lie that the board of license commissioners
are by the statutes vested with discretion
airy power In the matter of granting
licenses, that there is no relief to be OBJ
tanned through the commissioners Office
or even any explanation from the COM
missioners as to why the protests of the
Petitioners were d1sregarded in this
case; that the only method of procedure
available was TO petition the City Coun-
Gil In the manner that has resulted in the
appointment Of this committee.
Common report assigns partizan politi-
cal reasons as the moving cause. No doubt
that the rumor was formulated and put
In circulation by those who are most in
terested in creating partizan sympathy on
behalf OF such traders as participate in
elections with a view to demonstrating
the potency of their political influence
IN demonstrating the political complexion
OF our municipal administration, and
thus earning q right to recognition and
al exchange of favors of value. There
are no politics in this case. II is purely
non-partizan and instituted for the pur-
pose Of emphasizing the fact that IL the
board OF license commissioners in the ex-
ercise of their discretionary powers are
to continue In their disregard OF the
wishes OF the people-people who are di-
rectly interested-there is need of an
Immediate amendment to the law reg
uIatlng the granting OF liquor licenses.
1.-THE petitioners are here in the interests
OF good government and efficient, non-
partisan service from our public servants.
IL there Is any real cause of complaint
against the board may il not have arisen
from the abuse Of that wholesome dis
erection dictated by justice and reason
rather than the observance and use OF that
quality and degree of discretion contem-
plated by the legislation that created the
commission. SO far as / know the only
political point in the case is the fact that
1t Is a case located within the sixth Ward
and the petitioners required their Alder
man 20 present their petition, regardless
OF the effect the performance of such a
duty might have upon his future poll
tical prospects.
"The petitioners have instructed me TO
state that whatever may be the result of
this investigation, they tender to the
City Council their most sincere thanks
for the very prompt action taken py both
branches In regard to the petition"
MR. NIXON ON THE STAND.
After concluding his opening remarks
MIR. Mccarthy announced that me would
first call Mr.. Thomas Nixon, the secre-
tary OF the board OF license commission
srs. Mr.. Nixon responded to the sum
mons promptly and was sworn with due
soleninity by Chairman Fuller. At Mr..
McCarthy's suggestion n chair was
provided for the witness and the exami-
nation began. MIR. Mccarthy first obtain
ed the full name Of the Witness and
elected the further Information that he
IL the clerk and not the secretary Of the
board of license commissioners dis
function which the examiner did not
seem 10 have made before.
"Hcve you," queried Mr.. Mccarthy,
20 record OF the matter PERTAINING 10
The of a License Tor A ~certsin