The herald., 1898-01-15

June.
Director Conrey was called by the
prosecution, and told of an incident by
which the prosecution again attempted
TO impeach the evidence of Secretary
Johnson. 1t will be remembered that
when Axtell was on the witness stand
the second or third time he was shown
his signature to then mysterious docu-
ment which he identified. Axtell also
told of Webbs having forced him to
sign a resignation. While Axtell was
looking at the signature Mr.. Conrey said
he was in conversation with Secretary
johnson, in which the latter said: II re-
duced one Of those papers to type
writing. 1 don't know which, I may
have BOTH
THAT ANONYMOUS LETTER
Webb's attempt to injure reputable
newspaper man by casting at him some
of the mud with which he finds himself
smeared was the last matter dealt with
by the prosecution. The purpose of
bringing out the facts was to show how
much dependence can be placed in
Webbs word. George M. Trowbridge
Of the Times staff was called, and in re-
sponse to questions told of his learning
that Webb had received an anonymous
letter in which his name wassfnention-
ed. Immediately upon hearing of it,
Trowbridge tried to secure an audience
with Webb in the presence of witnesses.
In this he finally succeeded, and with
James B. Scott and two other gentle
men he called at Webb's store and asker
about the letter. Webb admitted that
he had received such a letter, which
was then in the hands of his attorneys.
He stated positively that he did not
think that Trowbridge had written the
letter, or that he was capable of such a
thing. He stated further that he did
not believe the letter came from anyper-
son on the Times staff, and had not paid
much attention to the matter. He
promised to preserve the letter. and re-
iterated his belief that Trowbridge had
had no knowledge of the letter previous
to it's being sent. In spite of this asser-
ton Webb few days ago secured the
publication in the San Francisco Call of
a two-column statement in which by
inference AMI almost by direct assertion
he had attacked Trowbridge as to the
matter, knowing that his implied charge
was false. Trowbridge made full and
complete statement of the facts, and in
concluding characterized Webb's action
as cowardly in manner which the de-
fendant did not relish.
]. B. Scott fully corroborated Trow-
BRIDGES testimony, even to the most
minute details.
At the conclusion of this evidence
Webb jumped to his feet and brazenly
asserted that as a member Of the board
he would object to any more evidence
being introduced which would defend
outside persons. He said he did not
know what else might be brought for
ward, but he had heard Judge Cheney
say that there were other rumors
which he intended to introduce. The
Judge had not said any such thing, and
Webb knew it. His effort can be taken
as nothing more than grand stand
play to divert attention from what had
been sworn to against him. Judge
Cheney told him in plain language what
he had said, and Webb subsided.
JOHNSON EXPLAINS
Secretary Johnson demanded an OPP
portunity to explain what conversation
he had had with Mr.. North. He denied
that he had ever said to Mr.. North Shat
he had to read Webb's testimony so as
to be able to corroborate it. He pointed
to the fact that it would be impossible
for him to get the transcript of Webbs
evidence before the afternoon, and then
there would be no time to look it over
even If he had so desired. He had said
to Mr.. North that he had been reading
Adams testimony and that he consider
ed him one of the greatest liars he had
ever heard of. He admitted that he had
said that he would stand by Mason
and that all Masons should stand to-
gether.
Prior to that Mr.. Johnson had explain
ed what Mr.. Conrey had stated with ref
erence to the paper Axtell had been
shown. He stated that what he had said
to Mr.. Conrey had reference to paper
which Mr.. Meserve then held in his
hand and he thought Mr.. Conrey had so
understood 1t.
This closed the case so far as the evil
dence was concerned. Mr.. Meserve
stated that he would be out of the city
all next week. He therefore suggested
that the board adjourn until January
26. 1t was finally agreed that an ad-
journment be taken until January 81.
at which time the argument will Begin