New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-25
PRICE THREE CENTS.
MR.. CROKER ALLOWEDTO GO
FREED BY THE MAZET COMMITTEE
UNTIL AUGUST 20.
TO SAIL FOR EUROPE To-MoRRow-PLEADs
THAT HIS HEALTH DEMANDS A CHANGE
POLICE BENEVOLENT FUNDS

PROBED AT YESTERDAYS SESSION.
Richard Croker has foregone his impulsiveiy
spoken determination to remain in New-York
all the summer in order to be within reach Of
the Mazet Investigation Committee whenever
that body chooses to call upon him. Upon ~.
considering the matter he has decided to spend
the hot months enjoying the balmy breezes
which sweep across the heaths whereon most Of
Englands racecourses are laid out. He will sail
for Europe tomorrow the American Line
steamer New-York with the full. permission Of
the committee. to remain away until August
-, when he will be expected to answer to the
subpoena presented to him by Frank Mess when
the leave Of absence for which he pleaded was
granted
1t was Mr. Moss's purpose to call the Tam
many leader to the stand yesterday morning,
and upon the adjournment OF the hearing TO
serve him with another subpoena requiring his
attendance when the inquiry resumed on
May g. About half an hour after the nvestiga-
ton had been begun yesterday word was con-
veyed to Mr.. Mazet and Mr.. Moss that Mr..
Croker was waiting In an anteroom. and wished
to see them privately. Without interrupting
Police Inspector Kane, who then on the
stand. whose examination being conducted
by John Proctor Clarke, the chairman and Mr..
their surprise. after the supercilious attitude
which he has hitherto adopted toward the COM
mittee in his public comments and actions upon
the stard Mr.. Croker pleaded for indulgence
on the grounds of sickness. Holding down his
head, the king of all tine Tammanyites pointed
plaintively to a carbuncle on the back Of his
neck, and urged that 1t a matter of physi-
cal impossibility for him to undergo the ordeal
of being placed upon the rack again. He
pleaded that his health would suffer II he were
compelled to remain in New-York longer.
Neither Mr.. Moss nor the chairman OF the
committee has at any time been desirous In any
way of interfering with Mr. Crokers plans. and
after a short consultation with their colleagues
Informed Mr. Croker that he was at liberty until
the end of August The information evi-
IDENTIFY pleasing to Mr.. Croker inasmuch as. de-
spite the constrained position in which he was
obliged to hold his head, he laughed and chatted
for some moments and could be seen to hold up
the index finger Of his right hand in apparently
playful warning to Mr.. Moss.
THE TAMMANY CHIEFTAIN PLEASED.
He left the building in decidedly mere JOY
full mood than when ne entered His departure
will In no way interfere with the plans Of the
committee. It has been the members wish from
the outset to have Mr.. Croker before them at
the end OF the inquiry, when they will be In
position to put more pertinent questions to him
than they could hope TO do at the very outset
of the investigation
After a continuous session lasting until nearly
$3.50 p. M, the committee adjourned until May
o. when they will reconvene and devote four
DAYS week TO the investigation. They left the
city for Albany on the $50 train. prepared to
submit report to the Assembly summarizing
the progress already made. and advising that
the testimony far obtained is such as to war;
rant continuance of the committees powers
after the adjournment of the Legislature. II Is
expected that the Assembly will not only agree
to this continuance. but II possible will extend
the scope of the committee, and will make some
special provision for the handling Of contuma-
cious witnesses should il be found that the
Penal Code does not apply for the punishment
of a refusal to answer material questions.
The advisers Of Tanmany are still ccntendng
that the committee will be devoid OF any judi
cial authority after the adjournment OF the
Legislature. while 1t is theoretically true that
the LEGISLATURE" Dr. O'Sullivan was quoted
saying yesterday, las well as every branch and
COMMITTEES Of II lives until December 81, and
that we are never without the lawmaking body,
it dies practically on adjournment for the rea-
son that It takes $600tD or $4,000 TO call an
extra session. which is never done except In
cases OF great moment or emergency. so the
tree being dead, branch OF II cannot be alive.
This committee a IL stands cannot report to
subsequent Legislature not being any part or
it," Reference is made also 10 precedent set
in New-Jersey last year. when the Gledhili COM
mittee of Investigation. appointed 10 inquire into
the condition OF affairs In Hudson County.
agreed with the contention raised by the counsel
employed for the Democratic officials that tns
committee had no legal existence. that II expired
with the Legislature, and consequently ceaseo
its labors there and then.
PREPARED TO MEET THE ARGUMENT
Counsel for the Mazet committee. however.
are prepared 10 meet any argument that may be
raised In qu astion OF the committees validity
Mr. Clarke explained TO a Tribune reporter yes
terday that the Legislature did not die upon It's
adjournment, and that any committee belonging
to Il was clothed in full authority, as was proved
year after year by the appointment OF commit
tees to look after various matters during the
recess. Just let any one refuse 10 answer
subpoena on the contention that the committee
has no power and Mr.. Moss grimiy re-
marked. However in order TO meet any con-
tIngency the committee will be formally COM
missioned by the Assembly To proceed with the
Investigation.
The contempt proceedings against the witness
Samuel Miers will be instituted In the next day
or two Some criticism has been heard or the
action OF the committee I'm selecting so obscure
a man as Mlers. instead 81 seeking To punish
Croker Carroll or Freedman, or some otner or
the more important witnesses. whose recalci-
irant conduct was merely Initiated by hiers IL
il explained by counsel. however. that the case
against Miers is the mcst complete and un-
answerable for the reason that he refuf.d 70
answer questions which could not BY the widest
stretch OF thought be looked upon az personal
The proof OF his guilt Is regarded as inconfesta-
BILE for this reason. and II Is thought BY counsei
that there will be little difficulty In convcrng
him under the Penal Code and providing there
by a deterrent 10 others who may be inclined TO
set the committee at defiance.
The evidence adduced yesterday before the
committee was comparatively unimportant so
fsr as tangible disclosures were concerned The
day was devoted To probing into the allegations
that a corruption fund had been raised In the
early part OF the year TO defeat the bi.is penoins
In the Legislature for the reorganization OF the
Police Department Apparently the police OF
ncials had come prepared with an explanation
OF the various secret meetings they held IN Janus
arv and February last. IL was elected that the
grades OF the force. from the inspectors ana