The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-04-18
Richard Croker Again
on Stand.
Refuses to Answer Some More
Personal Questions.


vastigating committee reconvened today.
Several seats were reserved for a delega-
tion of women representing the society
for political study.
At conference of the committee held
before the proceedings opened Assembly
man Hoffman offered these resolutions.
They were defeated by a vote of five to
two, all the Republican members Of the
committee voting against thems
Whereas, 1t is rumored that a certain
law firm in the city of New York, by and
with tnsIassistance of,other persons and of
corrupt means, secured the passage
through the assembly Of the state of New
York, bill known as the Astoria Gas
franchise, and
"Whereas, 1t is said the real purpose Of
the Astoria Gas franchise was to enable
the consolidated gas company to force a
consolidation of all the gas interests of
the city to the end that the supply of gas
might DO controlled and the price of the
same regulated by the so.called consoli-
dation, and
Whereas, The price of gas in said city
is OF great concern to the consumers and
is a necessity to the people and almost in
| 1t
"Resolyed, That this committee deems
1t necessary to subpoena the following
persons, namely: The law firm of Tracy,
Boardman S Platt, Eihu Root, the
incorporators of the Astoria, Heat, Light
and Power Company, Hon. Thomas G.
Platt, Benjamin b. Odell, Demuel ELI
Quigg, John ID. Grim minis. and such ad-
ditional persons as may be deemed neces-
sary.'
Mr.. Mazet, speaking of the resolutions,
said the COMMITTEES had certain work to
perform, that it's mode of procedure had
been settled and that ths present is no
time for the taking up of
"EXTRANEOUS MATTERS"
1t was understood that he spoke for all
the Republicans of the committee.
The actual proceedings commenced
when MIR. Moss called for George Tuohig
but the sergeant -at-arms was unable to
find any body of that name. Mr.. Moss
then excused Chief Devery for the day
and called Charles Stephenas, a waiter
in the Broadway Garden. He testified to
being in the Broadway Garden on the
night when exMsyor Mcgowan Of Iren-
ton alleged that he had been rot bed there.
Stephenas said that as far as he knew
Mcgowan was not robbed. Simon Butt
ner, the proprietor of the Broadway
Garden. was arrested upon the complaint
| of Mcgowan and the place was closed.
Stephenas said that while recently out OF
work he was approached by a man named
Schultz and another named singer.
| Singer asked him IL he wanted to make
$3.50 easily and that he answered that he
did.
singer then said that the money could
| be made by swearing that Mcgowan was
robbed. Shepherds told singer that he
had alpaady the witness stand
and sworn tnat Mcgowan had not been
robbed He did not then decide to accept
Singers offer, but met him later at
henry Sohultz's restaurant on 24th street.
Frank Farrell, pool room keeper, joined
them. Stephens satd Schultz gave him
$40, and he, the witness, said he was Will
ing TO 90 down to the courts and swear
that Buttner took the money from Ma
eowan on the condit ionthat he might have
another man in with him. Schultz agreed
that another man would be furnished and
promised Stephanas $500 and steady job
If he would swear the way desired.
Stephenas testified that he had already
told Schultz that he had seen no robbery
committed. Stephanas SAID he had told
Buttner of the plot and Buttner had sent
him to Mr.. Moss Moss had told him to
go back and say nothing about the mat
ter to any body. Stephens then said he
went to work in pool room. lie won
Sl4 on the races anu Sob % uaS l"t
Cooking after piekpockets. That was
the work which ne was told to do.
Shepherds admitted that he would not
know a pickpocket If he saw one. he
finally found u second man for the perjury
Job. That was George Touhig. Farrell
talked with 1uobig and said ne was "all
right" The day before the false afhdavit
was % be drawn up, Iuohig backed out
and said he would not DO 1t.
~ told Singer about 1t and he was
angry" said Stephens.