The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-27
He REFUSED TO ANSWER
An Obstinate Witness in the Chi
nese Boycott Case.
MRS. HOLMES EVIDENCE
She Was Boycotted Because She EN-
ployed a Chinese Cook-Her Board
ers Left Her-Kennedy Forced
to Answer Questions.

Only two witnesses were examined
yesterday in the Chinese boycott cases.
the testimony in which is being heard
before Special Examiner Judge Blake.
One of them. Robert Kennedy. clerk,
gave the attorneys for the complain
ants and the master in chancery a
great deal of annoyance by refusing to
answer questions and it became neces-
sary for the examiner to peremptorily
order the witness to reply properly.
The other witness was Mrs. Louise
Holmes of 40 West Quar- street. She
told of being boycotted for employing
Chinese help.
called She testified that in the fall of
1896 and spring of 1897 she conducted
a boarding house and employed a Chi
nese servant. When the boycotting
commenced. George B. Walters and
John Helm called on her and demand
ed that she discharge the Chinaman,
saying they would secure her white
cook. She was told that unless she
complied, a boycott against her house
would be declared and it would prob
ably cost considerable to get 1t raised
She took the matter under Amusement
and finally decided to retain the China
man.
Mrs Holmes had six boarders. among
them a Mr.. and Mrs. Holbrook. who
left, and informed her they did so be-
cause they We're so badgered by the
delegates from the union Gradually
her other boarders deserted her under
the influence brought to bear upon
them. The witness saw banners pa
raded about the city proclaiming that
the Chinese were being boycotted.
Robert Kennedy. clerk employed
by the Kennedy Furniture company.
was next called. He said he roomed al
the VIII house at the time of the al
legged boycott and left because Chinese
help was employed.
Attorney Francis Brooks then took
the witness in hand, and putting the
first question to him, said:
Il will ask you to state whether or
colt being declared upon the Will house
by any labor organizations"
4 don't care to answer that ques-
ton" replied Kennedy.
"Why?"
Because ! am under oath not TO an
swer it
What oath have you taken that will
prevent you from answering that ques-
tion?'
Before God | took an OATH
MY question is do you know whether
or not there was a boycott placed upon
that house?'
Yes. there was a boycott on it, I
know that"
do you know why the boycott was
mo l don't know anything about
that"
do you know by whom the boycott
was placed?"
Mo-
Have you any idea?''
mo"
did you ever hear any person or
persons about that time say anything
about boycotting the Will house,"
Il have seen banner on the street,
that's ALL
Mr.. Brooks repeated the question to
the witness.
Il don't care to answer that" he re-
piled
We'll, we want an answer" said Mr.
Brooks.
Il am afraid you will have to wait
for it," returned Kennedy.
Il will ask you why you refuse to
answer. what reason you give for re-
fusing to answer that question: the
attorney continued.
We'll. ] don't think it necessary to
answer IT.
Mr.. Brooks appealed to the examiner
to require the witness to answer and
Judge Blake said:
You will have to answer the ques-
tion just the same as if you were in
the presence of the court: If Won have
any legal reason to offer why you
should not answer the question, the
same will be made a matter of record
and then passed upon"
Mr.. Kirk of counsel for the defense,
in behalf of the witness. said Then
we ask the examiner to state to the
witness that If his reason for not an
swering the question is that il may
tend to incriminate him, then 1t is for
the examiner to say whether he shall
answer the question or not
Judge Blake instructed the witness,
saving:
IF you wish to have the record show
that YOU decline to answer the ques-
ton because Il may ineriminate you,
or tend to show that you have COM
mitted crime. YOU can say So
Il don't think J have committed a
crime" said Kennedy.
In answer TO the question. he said:
why, no. only the sign that | have
seen on the street.
Il will ask Won whether or not you
are member Of the Clerks assem-
biv2" pursuing the inquiry.
Il don't care to answer that ques-
ton
why do YOU not care to answer that
question: what reason do you give for
not answering it2'f
simply because ! don't care to an
A..