The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-08-13
DECLINED TO TESTIFY.
David Martin Meets the Philadel-
phia Investigating Committee.
NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE COUNSEL.
The Committee Decides That 1t Simply
Sits as q Grand Jury. and Witnesses
Thereupon WIthdraws,

/
Sits as a Grand Jury. and Witnesses
Cannot Have Legal Aid-Mr. Martin
Thereupon withdraws.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 18-Citizens and
politicians of high and low degree braved
the intense heat and crowded together at
yesterdays session Of the senatorial in
vestigating committee. Tho attraction
was the expected testimony of David Mar
tin, the Republican leader Of Philadelphia,
denying that he received SIS, 900 worth of
stock in the Mutual Automatic Telephone
company for securing the passage of that
company's ordinance through councils
two years ago Additional interest was
manifested because Senator Charles A.
Porter, Mr. Martins associate in politics
for many years, had been summoned to
appear, it being charged that he also re-
ceived the same amount Of stock for using
his Influence to pass the ordinance.
Mr.. Martin was accompanied by his
counsel A. s. L. Shields. The committee
announced that under the act by which 1t
was created an inquiry was being made
into the alleged abuses that have crept
into the city's charter and not to try ind-
viduals. The committee, it was decided,
simply sat like grand jury, and under
these circumstances II was deemed advis-
able to allow no counsel to represent wit
nesses. Mr. Martins counsel thereupon
arose and appealed to the committee to
afford Mr.. Martin the same privileges 1t
had afforded itself-the advice and assist
ance Of counsel, Mr.. Martin, being un-
trained in the law md tho examination of
witnesses was entitled he thought, to the
same privilege Counsel for the commit
tee thought otherwise and advised the
committee to stand by its original posi-
ton. Chairman Andrews hero called the
committee around him. and after few
minutes private consultation announced
that Mr. Martin would be afforded full
hearing, but he could not be represented
by counsel
Mr. Martin, who had been quietly lis
tening to the proceedings thon arose and
in husky voice denounced the committee
for its action. He said: II consider it an
outrage that this committee does not give
me the same opportunity to be heard as it
did my accuscrs. will be guided entirely
by my counsel" He and counsel con-
vcrsed for few minutes and then left tho
room together, amid tho applause of the
spectators. As they were leaving counsel
for the committee announced that sub
ppna would be issued for Mr. Martin.
Yesterday he was present by his own vo-
lition.
Senator Porter was then called several
times, but did not respond 1t was tcsti-
fed that a subpoena had been served on
him. Counsel for the committee an
nounced that he purposed bringing this
witness by process Of law If he would not
come otherwise, and also several others
who could not be found. These latter
were John p. Persch and Thomas Stack
house, officials of the telephone company.
William ]. Roney, receiver of taxes of
this city and brotherinlaw of Mr.. Martin,
was then called. He said that he had seen
legged to have been given by Mr.. Martin to
John p. Pcrsch to vote ,5?5 shares of
Mutual Automatic. Ho declined to state
where and under what circumstances, or
to answer any further questions until he
had consulted counsel. This was accorded
him. Hewas then excused for the present
Charles Q. A. Furbush, one of the in
corporators.. of the company, proved an un-
satisfactory witness. He said he met John
Pcrsch in Trenton several times during
the councilmanc investigation last fall
year, and talked about the telephone COM
pany 5 affairs, but did not remember what
ne said or what Persch said Tho rest of
Mr.. Furbush's testimony amounted to
practically little because of his poor mem.
Dry.
The committee then adjourned until
further notice