The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-17
HAMILTON ON
WITNESS STAND
Former Police Commissioner
Denies Statements
MADE BY MAYOR VAN WYCK.
Old Not Use Official Position 10 Enforce the
Payment Of a Bill
REMOVAL OF CHIEF MCULLAGn.
REMOVAL OF CHIEF McUlLAGH.
No Charge Of InsficIsncy Was Ever Made al Tho
Meetings ei Tho Board Hamilton May
Sue Van Wick.

New York, May 15.-The Mazet inves-
tigating committee resumed it's session
bare today. 1t was evident that Mayor
Nan wyck's statement yesterday that
ex-Police Commissioner Thomas l..
Hamilton was 'blackmailer" was not
to pass unnoticed for Job Hedges,
counsel for Mr.. Hamilton. was In the
court room early with a demand upon
the official stenographer for n certified
record of the mayors words. Mr.. HAM
ilton himself declined TO discuss thu
matter beyond saying that the CONS
mittee had promised him an opporun-
ity on the stand to contradict the
mayors statement. and also 10 give
his version OF the facts that led TO his
removal from the police board.
Mr.. Hamilton was the first witness.
He testified that no police reason was
assigned for the retirement OF Chief
McCullagh, nor was there any accusa-
tion of suggestion of inefficiency mada
against him at the meetings OF thu
board. Witness had insisted upon Me-
Cullagh being retained.
Mr.. Hamilton said he heard the testi-
mony of the mayor yesterday i'm which
the chief executive said that Hamil-
ton had used his official position TO CO.
cree the Casino into the payment OF
bill and this was one of the reasons
why he removed Hamilton from the
police board.
Mr.. Hamilton swore that the mayors
statements were absolutely false" H.
declared that the bill the mayor re-
ferred to was not settled until about 80
DAYS after witness was out OF the police
board and that the license for the Ca
sino was granted While he was in the
board, and that he voted I'm favor OF
granting such license while the blu
was still unpaid.
The mayor in his testimony yesterday
said that Mr.. Hamilton had refused
while In conversation with him TO vote
for the transfer OF any police officer
unless Mr.. Quigg or Senator Platt were
agreeable. This statement Mr.. Hamil-
ton today denied. He also said the
mayor had not threatened TO remove
him. Witness admitted that he had
told the mayor that he wished to con-
suit with the leaders OF his party and
had mentioned Senator Plat. but the
consultation he desired was in regard
10 passing a resolution which defined
the powers OF the chief 10 make trans
fers.
Job II edges. lawyer for Mr.. Hamilton,
corroborated the latters statement re-
garding the Casino bill.
Police Captain Herlihy was then
sworn. II was brought out yesterday
that Devery's first official act was -
transfer Herihy from the somewhat
important precinct of Fifth street 10
Kingsbridge. where there Is little to do.
Herliby ON the stand said that he was
obliged to Devery for transferring him,
because he was having a better time az
Kingsbridge.
Mr.. Moss seemed 20 think that Her
lihv had changed his mind about
good many things within recent dates
and frankly confessed that he could do
nothing with him.
Philip Cohen testified that he had Of
ten played I'm pool room i'm the Stur-
tevant House.
Cohen said that he thought he had
been cheated and complained To the
sergeant az the desk of the Fifth street
police station. That was two or three
months ago. A week or two ago. moth
ing have COME OF the first complaint,
Cohen said he went 10 see Inspector
Cross and again complained. Cross
sent for Capt Diamond. who was ina
command OF the Fifth street station.
Cohen said that he had been taken
20 MAGISTRATE Wentworth's police court
and that there the clerk had made no
attempt 10 give him a warrant and he
had said TO The clerk that n he I'D not
iss1e the warrant he would go before
the Mazet committee.
Magistrate Wentworth then accused
CoheE OF attempting 20 threaten the
court and told him TO get ont. Final
ly warrant was issued but II gave the
policeman no authority TO enter the
house. Accompanied by two policemen
Cohen went To the St Marks place
pool-room. but there entrance was
barred by a lawyer named Goldsmith
who claimed that the place was closed.
Judge Smith was arrested but there
was no evidence against him and that
was the end OF the case.
Mr. Moss asked the witness II the va
rious delays of the police I'm the case
had been made with the intention OF
allowing Goldsmith opportunity To be
at the club when the police arrived.