The herald., 1897-11-27

and in words that cannot be misunder-
stood. l do not intend, in making this
statement, to in any manner appear as
one who speaks to the gallery" for If
there is any person whom heartily de-
test it is man holding a public posi-
ton, who, for effect, talks to or poses
before "the gallery"
On Saturday morning, after the state
ment and aflidavits which we are now
considering were placed in the hands of
the secretary of this board, and before
any official action by the board had been
taken thereon, I went to Mr.. Adams and
in the presence of others told him in un-
mistakable language that if any one of
the statements concerning him con-
tanned in those affidavits was proven to
be true he need expect no sympathy or
consideration from me.
On the evening of the same day. being
the first time that saw Mr.. Axtell after
these affidavits had been filed, I made
to him also similar statement in the
presence of witnesses.
At the meeting of this board held on
last Saturday morning, I presented a
resolution for adoption by the board,
calling LOT lHe appointment VI es Soi'i-
mittee to investigate these charges AS
you know, that resolution was adopted,
not, however, without opposition; and
the president appointed myself as chair
man, with Mr. Webb and Mr. Braly as
the other two members. At that time
l believed, and still believe, that the
proper and most expeditions way in
which this whole matter could be inves-
tigated was through a committee; but
the public seemed to think otherwise,
and as Mr.. Braly refused to act, Mr..
Webb and myself were only too glad
to be relieved of the arduous task and
the great responsibility of taking this
testimony and making this investiga-
tion and it was with no regret whatever
that at the next meeting of the board
we offered the resolution which led to
the discharge of the committee and the
placing of the investigation in the hands
of the whole board.
AS you well know, the investigation
which that committee was authorized tC
make was Immediately proceeded with
and on Saturday evening the most inn
portant witness, Mr.. Cooper. was eX-
amined before two members of that COM
mittee. a majority of the members OF
this board being also present in the
room. You may readily see that I, as
chairman of that committee, had nc
time to specially prepare myself for that
examination during the few short hours
which interviewed between the appoint
ment Of the committee and the COM
mencement of it's work, especially as the
affidavits referred to remained in the
possession of the clerk of the board.
am not an attorney, learned in the law
nor in the modes of conducting q lega
examination. l never examined a wit
ness before in my life, and if in the ex-
animation of Mr.. Cooper any materia
points were omitted by me it was be-
cause of lack of knowledge, and not
from any desire to withhold or cover ur
any of the material points in the affi-
davit. And l submit to you, gentlemen
that the examination of Mr.. Cooper
which was had last Wednesday before
this board differed in no material degree
from that which was held before the
committee except in one instance. And
If any person whatever desires to satisfy
himself of the truth of this statement
he is at liberty to inspect the TRANSCRIPT
! OF that testimony as taken before the