The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-03-10
BOTH SIDES
ARE HEARD.
MIR. McVey Proves Benson
An Individual of EX.
tremely Bad
Character.

noyor, March o-B.rnard j. MoVey's
side of the Ford McVey fight was heard
by the Senate Investigating Committee III
the House this afternoon, and that he
vindicatel himself of the damaging charge
7nade against him by John II. Benson
Tuesday night was beyond the peradven-
ture of a doubt The lobby was crowded
with an anxious lot but there was none
of the excitement which characterized
Tuesday nights hearing Mr. McVey's
attitude was quiet because his friends were
prepared to drive to the winds the charges
and their success was complete.
. Tho hearing began at , o'clock. Chair
man B!akely and Mr.. Pyls occupied tho
Speakers rostrum and opened the hearing
by calling Oh james A. Anderson for
testimony.
Mr.. Anderson Is one of tho best known
colorod residents of Wilmington whose
character Is bsyond reproach. He said hc
was acquainted with John II. Benson.
who had previously sworn that he had
paid Mr.. McVer SEQ weekly as hush money
at a timo when policy gambling flourish
ed in Wilmington, and would not believe
him on his oath; that he had been accused
of theft; had obtained money nnder false
prctense and on one occasion had known
him to forge n NOR gage to the amount Of
e15OO. Mr.. Anderson was damaged by
the forgery and he threatened to prosecute
Benson il he did not strike the mortgage
from the court records. Police Captain
Thomas A. Kane of Wilmington would
neither be!cve Benson Oh his oath, He
had known of Benson being before the
Municipal Court on two occasions for SELL
Ing liquor without license and for back.
Ing lottery policy gambling. Other wit
nesses who declared they would not b.
lievo Benson on his oath wero Officer
Harry Taylor and Harry A. jacobs, both
Of Wilmington.
Thcn Mr. McVoy gave testimony in his
own behalf, saying that ho was surprised
when Benson stated ho had paid, McVey,
$40 wcekly as hush money whilo Benson
was gambling in the city of Wilmington.
, Mr.. McVey also stated that while he
was sergeant OF police he had arrested
Benson four times for violation of the
gambling and liquor laws
!, mo man or woman directly or indirectly
ever gave mo one cent that was crooked
and when Benson said so he lied, said MIR.
McVcyi In conclusion.
GAttorney General White then spoke in
behalf of MIR. McVey, prefacing his state
ment with the remark that inasmuch as
tho testimony was hcarsay in large meas
ure, he would make statement which
Chancellor Nicholson requested him to
make 1t was that while Mr.. Nicholson
was attorney general four years ago he
had tho utmost nldonco in Mr.. McVey's
honesty and fidelity. Mr.. White alse had
the utmost confidence in Mr.. McVey, be-
neylng him 10 be beyond bribery.
Benson's reputation had convinced Mr..
White that he had been prompted to
mako his damaging accusations against
Mr.. Mcvey because of desire for revenge
Mr.. McVey having arrested him on sew.
eral charges Of gambling OH which he was
severely punished by tho Now Castle
County Court.
h Furthermore Mr.. White hold that offen-
ses which may have beeu committed by
McVey twelve years ago while ho was q
sergeant of police did not effect him in his
present position.
If Mr.. McVsy is turned down because
OF these trumped up charges said Mr..
White continuing, 'my Office will DO
greatly crippled inasuuch as the men,
bers OF tho House Of Representatives have
refused to allow me contingent expenses.
Hyou put in now man with no means
at my command to givo him experience
1t means that crime will simply run riot
In this state for two years or until suoh
time ns the House allows me fund in Or
der that may employ moro experienced
man. The punishment of so many crimi.
mails in this state for several years has
been due chiefly to Mr.. McVoy and his as.
socato who have ably gathered testimony
which brought conviction.
II Mr.. McFUy had committed any Of
fense inconsistent with his duties while l
have been Attorney general would be
the last man to recommend his conflrma-
tion to so important position.
With these remarks the investigation
closed, Mr. McVey considering other
statements mado against his character SO
triflipg and immaterial as 10 require no
denial.
Neither Mr.. Ford nor his attorney Mr.
Biggs, was ON hand 10 cross examine Mr.
MoVey's witnesses.
Chairman Blakely of the investigating
committee announced that he would pre-
sent the committee's report to the Senate
before Saturday.
The House passed the act allowing
women to practice law in this State. Con-
erla John p. Donohoo opposed the bill,
whilo Representative Jester championed
che cause Of the women.