The morning times., 1896-12-27
GUESTS FAILED TO APPEAR
Unwilling TO Testify Regarding
Raid on Sherry'S Hotel.
NONE OF THEM HAVE TINE
Police Captain Chapman VIII Prob
ably Escape Punishment for Dis
turbing the Seeley Dinner Party.
Affair Has widened Breach in
New York's Police Board.

New YoIk, Dec. 26.-Louis Sherry, on
ghose fashionable restaurant Police Capt.
Chapman made a raid last week, and
caught the Seeley dinner party s it was
about to be entertained 10y a number of
risque dances, has refused TO make an
affidavit against Capt. Chapman.
The hearing ON the charges was sci 10y
the police commissioners TO begin at Ia
O'Clock today.
None vi the diners TO whom invitations
were sent 10 appear and give testimony,
Were present. They all replied that they
had been suddenly called out OF town or
were otherwise engaged.
Chief Of Police Conlin produced the fol
lowing letter, written 10y Mr. Sherry on
Thursday:
'Your favor Of this dateis received.
Ny letter to the board OF police commits
sionerS which you mentioned refers only
TO facts submitted by Capt. Chapman, and,
as / understand, stated in his report. 1
have nothing to add, so see no necessity
OF any affidavit from me. l simply sub
init that what Capt. Chapman admittedly
did in connection with his supposed just-
ficatiOn, and taken precisely he states
il, calls for rebuke and punishment in some
way at your hands or those OF the board,
THE method / do not undertake To suS-
EeSt. / ought TO add, however, that IT the
complaint TO which you refer is IL pro
ceedings for removal from the force or
suspension, have not asked and do not
wish any such proceedings.
Danr Want Him Dismissed.
Il do not think that Capt Chapman de-
serves punishment so severe. or course,
n N q
desire, but l shall not call OH saturday.
as you have suggested. unless / hear from
you again. / beg TO remain, very truly
yours. Louis SHERRY"
1t is expected That Nathan Sceley, father
of Clinton Barnum Seeley, in honor of
whose marriage that dinner was given, VIII
keep his promise to appear against Capt.
Chapman. He declared that if Mr.. Sherry
did not press the complaint he himself
would do SO.
Each OF the guests had received a copy
of tie following letter signed by Cld II
Conliu:
Dear Sir-There has been placed in
my hands statement of Mr.. Herbert
Barnum Seeley OF No. % East Thirt y-nin- IA
street, this city, detailing the occurrences
al the dinner given by hIm TO his brother
at Sherry dining ROOMS in this city on the
night OF Saturday, the 18th inst, paTticu.
larry in reference 20 Police Captain Chap
man s action on that occasion
Il propose to make charges against Capt.
Chapman, aud wish to make the case
against him strong as possible in order
20 justify my action. The invanable pro
cedure in cases OF this character is TO per
sonaTly interview the witnesses or the mat
tiers complained Of.
Il therefore request you, as one of those
present upon the occasion in question, to
call at my office, at police headquarters,
No 800 Mulberry street, this city, On
Saturday, the Goth inst, at 10 O'Clock d.
M Should this hour not meet your con-
venience, will you please indicate i'm
mediately upon the receipt OF this a more
convenient time. Awaiting a favorable re-
ply, / am, very truly yours,
PETER CONLTN, Chief of Police"
Inspired 10y Parker?
The raid is now said to mark another
phase in the Roosevelt-P Parker feud.
Commissioner Parker is believed TO have
had hand in the desc ant on the diners who
are friends Of President Roosevelt, OF the
police board.
a rumOr bearing the impress OF truth is
in circulation which lifts the responsibility
FOR the raid from Capt. ChapmanS shout
ders 1t is said that Commissioner Parker
authorized it.
When the information concerning the
nature Of the entertainment was received
at the West Thirtieth street station, Capt
Chapman at once notified Parker, it is
said. For an hour before the raid and dur
ing its progress, Parker was present at
the West Thirtieth street station There,
1t is asserted, he received reports OF the
progress OF the raid.
The reason advanced as "a why the com
missioner kept his connection with the af-
fair in the background is that the raid was
virtually a failure. Little Egypt should
have beend scoveredi in the act and arrested.
Failing in this the raid was a fiasco.
SeeIeys Friends of Roosevelt.
Mr.. Harper and the Seeleys are personal
friends Of Commissioners Roosevelt and An
drews. This would place Mr.. Parker's al
legged action in an unfavorable light.
Chief Conlin's friendly feeling toward
Mr.. Parker, and the chiefs evident disin-
Clination TO holding an Investigation, are
cited in proof OF this
II is said that he has carried out his
threat TO summon every guest at the din
ner.
The examination today was ordered after
Chief Conlin and Commissioner Parker had
held conference. Louis sherry made the
complaint and requested that the matter
be Investigated Accordingly large num-
Der, if not all Of the guests present at-that
sensational banquet have received notice
60 attend the examination