The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-21

| ance at last nights hearing before the
| committee appointed to investigate the
| license commissioners, but it was decid-
edly more quiet than it was on either OF the
| two previous evenings on which it gath
cred in the city hall. There were no
demonstrations of approval, mo hand clap
ping and stamping OBJECT. Indeed, Coun-
seilor Mccarthy must have felt quite lone
some without the noisy applause which
at previous hearings the crowd had show
| cred upon him every time he addres led
| the committee or seemed 10 make point
from the testimony of the nervous Mr.
| Nixon.
Perhaps the summary ousting ofJimmy
Murphy during Tuesday evenings pro-
ceedings had something to do with the
suppression of the disturbing outbreaks
Possibly, also, Chairman Buller's an
nouncement on that occasion that SIM
liar fate 10 that which overlook the gar
rulous Murphy awaited any Others who
interrupted the proceedings. But what
ever the cause, the fact remains that there
were no Interruptions and for the first
time since the hearings began the pro-
ceedings were conducted with reasonable
decorum aud quiet.
The only witnesses examined were Chair
man Spfague of the board of license COM
missioners and MIR. Charles Edward Paine,
mony was direct and TO the point, show
ing first.of ell that the transfer of the Con-
! nell license to Tobias Burke, was made Just
as other transfers had been made; that
the remonstrance against II was not sutfi-
cient TO defeat 1t and also that many of
those who appeared as remonsirants had
subsequently, signed petition asking for
the granting of license TO another dealer
whose shop was but a very short distance
away from the one occupied by MI. Burke.
This was significant in view CT the fact
that these individuals had raised all the
row and demanded an investigation on
the ground that the granting OF the Burke
transfer was inimical to the well-being
of the neighborhood.
When Mr.. Wilson sought to show the
insincerity of the persons who appeared
as remonstrants and subsequently be-
came petitioners for the granting of a
license in the same locality Chairman
Fuller seemed to,think he ought to limit
his inquiry to persons whose property
W as within the two hundred feet limit.
Inasmuch as Mr.. Mccarthy had made
these remonstrances a part of his case,
and therefore those who signed them his
witnesses, this didn't look like very fair
treatment to the defense. because If per-
sisted in il would deprive the accused
commissioners of rebutting testimony
presented TO the committee on behalf of
the complainants. After n good deal of
w
ed in getting before Mr.. Fuller and his
confreres some of the matters in ques-
tion, though it took good while and a
deal OF patience to do it.
THE HEARING OPENS.
1t was Just 1885 O'Clock when Chairman
Fuller announced that the committee
was ready to proceed with the hearing.
All the members of the committee were
present as was Mr.. Mccarthy counsel for
the complainants, while General Wilson
arrived Just as the announcement was
made and Mr.. Page a few minutes later
Mr.. Mccarthy stated that be had only
two or three more witnesses TO present
and would call as the first one Mr.. SDrage
of the license board. Mr.. Sprague was
sworn by Chairman Fuller and his exami-
nation began.
"Are you ono OF the license commission
ers?p asked Mr.. Mccarthy.
eyes, sir. "
"WLat position do you hold on the
boardG"
81 am the chairman.
"Were you present at the meeting OF the
board on the 18th OF November last?"
"I cannot tell from the date whether /
was or not"
"Were YOU present at the meeting of the
board at which the iransfer of the license
of J. +. ConnelI TO Tobias Burk was voted
on?n
'Yes, sir; I was"
"Were all the members PRESENT."
eyes, sir. "
"was vote taken On the granting OF
the trunsfer?"
"There was.n
"How many voted in the affirmative?'
"Three.p -
"Have you any objection to stating
who they were?'
"No, sir, have not. Ii has already been
a. fot tnH IN Al m Mr bo
Mr.. Paine and Mr.. Nixon voted for the
transfer -
"Do you remember whether Mr.. Nixon
voted or not?'
81 counted him az / always did and as
he understood ] did.'
"Is there any rule in reference OF the
counting Of members who do not express
! themselves oTaly2'
"My method has been TO count as yot-
| ing in favor all members who do not ex-
press themselves against the question" "
"As, president of the board did you
"No, sir, there was no occasion for me
TO vote, there being majority Of the
| board
,'ls it customary to call the roll when
taking voter"
"No, sir, It is not"
| "In case there is a difference Of opinion
| between tho members as to the granting
OF license or transf-r do you call the
roll i'm that case2"
"No, sir there are only FIVE members OF
the board and that isn't necessary"
MATTER OF RECORD.
"Do you remember how many renon-
strances were against this transfer?''
"No, SIR, ! don't; it's matter OF
| record.
"Do you remember whether there were
more than oncP'
There was one before we granted the
| transfer -