The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-19

Jimmy" Murphy thought when Detec-
tive Parker ushered him out. Mr.. Murphy
would interrupt the meeting because he
got too excited when the lawyers were
arguing about the right to conduct the
examination in public He wanted IL
cense corner of Dean and Fountain
streets, according to Commissioner Burn
ham, who threw him down. as he be-
lieved. Consequently, he was after Mr..
Burnham, and took no pains TO conceal
IT when he thought the committee in
danger of siding against Lawyer Nc
Carthy. There was one other who was
tempted to aid in the talking, but Mr..
Murphy's election quieted him as it un-
doubtedly mad a soothing effect on others.
The municipal court room was filed to
overfiowing with spectators, SO that 1t
was deemed advisable TO adjourn to the
Common Councilschamber Here the wit
nesses, counsel and others connected with
the hearing sat within the enclosure.
Among these were: Aldermen Little and
Pierce, ex-Alderman Harris and General
Charles A. Wilson, who stated at the be-
ginning of the proceedings that he and
Hon. Charles III. Page had been reta ined
as counsel for tue license commissioners.
MIR. Page was late and came in mop
ping his brow while his colleague was in
forming the committee that they had
no right to order a public
hearing in the case relative TO
behind the rail and in the gallery, most
OF whom were obliged TO staBd, were
made up OF citizens, but, contrary TO ex-
pectation, there were very few liquor
dealers present. There were two or three
recognized, however, among them being
Bernard McCulia of the National Hotel,
"Lonn Hines o' the ST. James and James
Dolana There were few bsrtenders, one
gambler and the others were common,
everyday people. Beyond that and a
prevalent odor of beer, there was little Pc
culiarity in the CROWDS makeup.
THE HEARING RESUMED.
At 7.35 o'clock Chairman Fuller rap
ped for order and announced that the
committee was ready TO proceed with the
hearing. Mr.. Mccarthy assed for the
production of the original applications
for license and transfer which we're spec
ifed at the last hearing.
4 he chairman asked Commissioner
Paine If ne had the papers referred TO ana
he replied that MIR. Nixon had Their.
Gen. Wilson then addressed the commit
tee. he said that In order that he might
not be looked upon as an interloper he
would state that Mr. Page and himself
had beeen retained on the part of the Ii
cense commissioners to represent them in
b far as they may need counsel at this
or any other hearing that may be given
whether or not the committee was act
ing with the assistance and advice of
counsel.
There was moments pause and Alder
man Burbank answered that IL was un-
derstood that Mr.. Mccarthy appeared as
the representative of the petitioners for
the present investigation. Then Mr.. Will
son wished TO understand who the petit
TONERS were, to which Chairman Fuller
replied that a number OF citizens had pre-
sented petition to the City Council ask
ing for an invest igation of certain trans
actions of the license board and that
pursuant to that petition a resolution
had been passed creating the committee
and stating the duties 10 be performed
by 1T.
"I understand. then," said Gen. Will
son, "that a petition has been presented
to the City Council asking that some
sort of action be taken in regard TO cer-
tain transactions of the license board"
To this Chairman Fuller replied that
the clerk would read the petition and
also the resolution passed in consequence
OF its presentation.
Clerk Hayden read the papers referred
to and when he finished General Wilson
proceeded to address the committee.
"From what has just teen read, )" he said,
"this committee is acting, not on the
petition, but under the resolution, and
therefore those who appear here do so by
this resolution. Ii states in the first place
that the COMMITTEES Is appointed and duly
authorized to confer With the license
commissioner and any other persons it
may deem proper in relation TO the grant
ing of transfer of license from J. f.
Connell to Tobias Burke, and it is further
empowered TO inquire into any other
cases of similar nature which may come
10 its MOTTO and to give public hearings
as ii may deem best for the public good.
Now i submit that under this resolution
this committee has no authority to hold
a public investigation with sworn wit
nesses as to the matter Of the transfer of
q license TO Tobias Burke The only scope
given the committee is that TO confer with
the license board and other persons. That
is the only power you have. This Burke
matter is to tie considered by you in a
conference and not at a public examina-
ton. AS to the other matters you are
empowered il after that conference you
find anything to warrant further inquiry
TO hold public helrings. Buts this does
not apply to the Burke transfer. Your
only power under this resolution is TO
confer, as expressly stated, and | respect
fully ask ruling on this point"
GEN. WILSON'S POINT DISCUSSED.
Chairman Fuller called General Wilson'S
attention to the fact that the resolution
empowered the committee to confer with
otter persons as well as the license board.
"Yes" replied General Wilson, "but 1t
was 10 be a conference and rot a public
investigation. That petition was for an
inquiry into the transfer of n license TO
Tobias Burke and nothing else, and the
resolution passed In response TO that petit
tion simply gives this committee author
ity to confer with the com missiorors ana
with other persons"
"But," said Chairman Fuller. "the
r solution empowers the committee TO i'm
auire into each other simil matters and
cases as the public service may require. "
"All the power you have you get from
that resolution and oil the authority that
resolution gives you in relation 20 the
Tobias Burke trfnsfer II TO hold con-
ference" "
Committeeman Miner wanted to know
Al Nr. Wilson meant 90 say That Tie reso-
luton contemplatel secrei conference.
so " hicn the lntlgr repii Il that a. looked
tuibi-n "a though that was the Commol
setss view 10 take OF N matt.r Re had
brought up be point, ho ao cd. Tor The
purpose oi having the committee rule
upon II.
a. a. -.