The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-18

The scope of the inquiry was again
the main point of contention in the
fourth sitting of the kinsley investiga-
tors last night. Il. c. Newcomb, attor-
ney for the Sunday World, wanted to
have the mayor compel Mr.. kinsley to
produce his private bank account to
show what his revenue has been since
he took charge of the street commits
sioner'S department, 1t being the pur-
pose of the prosecution to make Mr..
Kinsley account for all his wealth and
II there was some of 1t he could not or
would not account for allege that this
was derived from crooked methods pur-
sued in the administration Of the af-
fairs of his office.
Messrs. Chittenden and Sanderson
expressed the belief that 1t was not
morally fair or legally within the pro-
vince of the inquest to drag a mans
private affairs into such an investiga-
tion as Is this one. Mr.. Newcom' re-
torted at length with dissertation on
the powers and scope of the investi-
cation. contending that 1t was not
court of justice where a man was being
tried, but an inquiry for satisfying the
mayor as to the truth or falsity of cer-
tain charges against one of the officials
whose conduct he is directed by statute
to supervise. The mayor was empoW-
cred to call for any documents or books
he might see fit to call for. His powers
in this connection We're not limited. he
said, by the laws and customs which
govern a trial In court. They were
rather to be measured by the rule
which obtained In the LexOw investi-
cation, when an accused official was
not only compelled to show his bank
account. but tell of his investments and
speculations.
Mayor Bailey and the committee re-
tired to the private office to consult in
secret over this point and after few
minutes deliberation returned with the
decision that Mr.. Kinsley's bank ac-
count was not matter which ought to
be dragged into this investigation.
A. b. GREEN'S TESTIMONY.
The evenings proceedings opened
with A. B. Green on the stand. He Is
the blacksmith who at the previous ses-
sion could not tell positively when his
account with Harry II. Kinsley was
begun. In the interim he refreshed his
memory by referring to his books and
last night stated that the first entry in
the Harry Kinsley account was dated
Oct. S, which was one day after the
World charges were first printed.
X. A. Holly. of Green Ridge. testified
that he knew Richard Ross well, ard
was sure that Ross never owned team
or worked for the city. Mr.. Newcomb
called attention to the fact that the
pay roll contained items crediting Ross
with having worked for the city last
spring.
Joseph Brcc, who had worked on the
street gang last summer,was called,but
all he knew that would tend to bear on
the investigation was that man
named Jake. who possibly might be
Jake Betcher, drove carts on street
work during portions of May and
August.
The next witness was one of those
kind of fellows who would like to see
the lawyer that could fool him." He
came there with the intention. appar-
emily, of having his examination con-
Quoted to suit himself. and to show the
assembled onlookers that he was too
much for Mr.. Lawyer" and that sort
of thing. Mr.. Newcomb'S ideas of how
the examination should be conducted
did not exactly coincide with the wit
nesses, and as a result the witness got
himself into hot water. His name he
gave as Richard Ross, his residence,
Breaker street, Green Ridge, and his
business, horse trainer. He answered
Mr.. Newcomb's questions well enough
until he was asked If he hadn't resided
for time at Cobb's barn. He couldn't
see what that had to do with the in
vestigation. Mr. Newcomb sugggestcd
to him to answer the question without
argument. but Ross remained silent.
Mayor Bailey directed him to answer
the question. but he made no response.
Mr.. Newcomb reiterated his question.
Ross shifted his position in the chair.
rested his chin an his hand. and assum-
ing u just-see- If you ca n make an
nj ftrnod hiu r1o ha
ceiling and commenced drumming on
the arm of the chair with his disengag-
ed hand.
MIR. ROSS WEAKENED.
Then you don't intend to answer"
queried Mr.. Newcombe in a threatening
tone.
No reply.
VERY we'll then. The stenographer
will kindly furnish me with manu-
script of this proceeding before o'clock
tomorrow morning and I'll see IL the
common pleas court can make you
answer
Now I'll tell you mayor" broke out
Ross with much vehemence. This
here lawyer and a lot of other fellows
got me mixed up in mess down there
at CObb's barn and l amt going to let
him drag that up here. / am willing to
answer everything squarely and fairly
on anything that's anything to do with
this here case"
That's enough Of that, I guess"
rejoined Mr.. NewcOmb. Tell us what
you are working at now?"
II am caring for horses and letting
'em out to rent"
"Oh, oh! I'm glad to hear you have
some horses. I've got bill of costs
against you, believe I will be around
to see you
They're not my horses. I only hand
le them"
How long since you owned team"
Maybe eight years."
"Wh0Sp team did Won drive whap