The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-05-19
PUBLIC OPINION AROUSED
STREET SPRINKLING ADVERTISE
MENT INVESTIGATION.

MENT INVESTIGATION.
First Inquiry Attended by a Largo Crowd
-kules of Conduct-AudienCe Applaud
Alderman Rourke-Attorney Goodhart
Employed by tho eCommittee-Manager
Jackson and Editor Osborn on the Stand.
1t was twenty minutes past eight
o'clock last evening when Alderman
Carrington's investigating committee
before whom the alleged irregularities
in the recent street sprinkling adver-
Using are to be aired, filed into the
councllmanic chamber. They were ac-
companied by Town Counsel Goodhart,
who will conduct the examination of
witnesses, Corporation Counsel Ely be-
ing interested in the case.
The committee found upon entering
the inquisltorial chamber an array of
witnesses who had been detained from
business while the committee formulat-
ed the rules of procedure in the mayors
room below. In addition to the large
LQIlDGI Ol WlIllGSStS lIlGle WClC SSOlSko
of taxpayers in the room, eager to hear
whether there is or is not any founda-
tion for the alleged irregularities
charged.
Chairman Darlington called the COM
mittee to order. Clerk Fuller read the
resolutions of the court of common
council ordering the Investigations. The
chairman then announced that Attor-
ney Goodhart would conduct the exam
ination
AS to the mode of conducting the in
quiry the committee was divided. Al
dermen Rourke and Brown favored
giving the witnesses all the latitude
they desired In their testimony The
balance of the committee confined
themselves to the rules formulated
If the demonstrations made by the
audience were any criterion it was in
sympathy with Alderman Rourke.
Several times during the evening his
motions and remarks were applauded.
The rules by which the inquiry is
governed are as follows:
Rules Governing the Investigation.
l. The committee shall meet every even
ing at s o'clock during the progress of the
2. All witnesses shall be duly sworn or
may aaffirm.
3. The committee will hear any and all
testimony bearing upon the resolution un-
der which the committee is acting and rele-
want to any one of the following inquiries
which the resolutions embrace:
(a) Has the recent advertising OF street
Sprinkling assessments been done because
Of the deliberately formed purpose of mem
bers of the city government to benefit a
newspaper or newspapers In which they are
pecuniarily interested?
(b) das any city official or any other per-
son committed or attempted to commit any
dishonorable or dishonest act In reference
to this advertising?
(c) Has any city official or any other per-
son exercised or attempted to exercise any
Improper influence In order to secure this
advertising for any paper or papers in
which he was interested?
(tD What are the facts in relation to the
street sprinklng advertisements?
4. The order of the testimony shall be
left to the discretion of the committees
counsel subject however to the approval of
the committee.
+. Upon objection made, the admissibility
of any particular testimony shall be left
to the decision Of majority of the com
6. AL persons whether subpoenaed by
the committee or not, having any informa-
tion or knowledge tending to aid the com
mittee in it's investigation concerning the
subject matter of this resolution, shall be
given an opportunity to be neard in rela-
ton thereto, subject to the limitation pro-
vided.
T. The investigation shall be open to the
public but the committee reserves the
right at any time to go into executive ses-
sion for the purpose of hearing the testi-
of a majority of the committee the best in
terests of the investigation require It,
s. Any citizen requesting any question to
be answered by any witness shall put the
same into writing, ard If, in the opinion of
the committee such question shall be rele-
want to the issue. it shall be put TO such
witness through the counsel Of the commit
tee.
Ex-Judge Henry Stoddard said:
II desire to make suggestion and a
request in reference to the form and
substance Of one of your rules. I rep
resent certain taxpayers, who are op-
posed to the payment of this bill or
these bills and l believe by a brief cross
examina ton of some OF the witnesses
upon their knowledge of the subject
matter of these bills can aid the com
mittee in arriving at a conclusion as TO
their legality.
TT will suggest itself to anyone that
it is impracticabe to reduce to writing g
the questions I shall ask, and I re-
spectfully ask to put a few questions to
those who are likely to have some
knowledge of the subject. AS to the
morality of the city's officials we have
no concern. But as to the legality Of
this bill the taxpayers have an inter
est. They should have an opportunity
to cross examine when they desire.
Should the course signified by the rules
just read prevail this opportunity would
not be given"
Mr.. Goodhart at this juncture looked
at the republican members and move
ment as if the committee We're about
10 retire was made, when Alderman
Rourlke sprang to his feet and said; 81
object If Mr.. Stoddard or anyone else
wishes to cross examine these witnesses
they should be given that privilege and
there is certainly no reason for leaving
this room to decide the matter.
therefore move that Mr.. Stoddard be
given this privilege, subject to this
committees discretion.
There is already a motion to go into
executive session. said the chairman.
There is not" replied Alderman
Rourke. Mr.. Goodhart made the mo-
ton and ne is not member Of the
committee"
81 beg your pardon. was about to
scggest to the committee that the re-
marks of Judge Stoddard contained