New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-02
THE INVESTIGATION IN DANGER.

Mr. Moss said yesterday, with special refer
pnce to the proceedings of the day before, that
no other legislative committee had ever been so
nsulted and antagonized by its witnesses. There
is 10 reason to doubt the accuracy OF this state
ment. aud the performances which it character
lies are well worthy OF consideration. The
Mazet committee. acting under the authority
and instructions Of the Assembly, represents
the people of the State and it is matter OF
keen interest to the people that this investiga-
ton should not degenerate into an offensive
farce There is some danger, we think that
such Will be Its history. II a way Is not found
to prevent repetition Of scenes which have
been dlsgraceful in the highest degree. There
may he some advantage in permitting impu-
dent ruffans 10 make public disclosure of their
true quality. but such liberation can 20 too far,
and II seems to us that II is high time for the
committee 10 use whatever power it possesses
10 protect itself and its counsel from insult and
defiance. When a witness conducts himself as
Captain Price did on Wednesday, intelligent and
reputable citizens no doubt form a just estimate
Of the man. and gain vivid impression Of the
principles Of which be is an exponent, but TO
large minority of vicious or unthnkng persons
be appears in the light of bluff and daring fig
ure who has accomplished his object and made
the committee ridiculous His audacity excites
their admiration In greater or less degree and
SETS precedent for others who may be put on
the stand to follow.
The unhappy experiences of the committee
NAV be partly explained by the superstition that
Tammany's traditional contempt for decent pub
lie opinion has been so greatly enhanced since
its return to power that no such measure Of au-
thorty as Mr. Mazet and his colleagues possess
however firmly exercised would have been suf
hclent to restrain its expression. But Mr..
Moss's declaration that a legislative committee
was never treated so before does nevertheless,
suggest the thought that there is something
lacking in this committee The chairman ex-
plains that obstructive and impertinent wit
nesses cannot be punished, but can only be re-
ported to the Legislature next winter, which
revives the question whether, while the Legs-
Iature was still in session, n decisive example
ought not 10 have been made OF one or more OF
the witnesses whose conduct and demeanor has
since been so diligently initiated However that
NAV be. II Is certain that the committee has re-
Trained from using even the limited power
which II has and our belief Is that its tolerance
OF assaults on It's dignity has become serious
mistake.
DR. O'Sulvan the counsel for the city de-
partments has repeatedly taken gross liberties
for which he has suffered nothing more than a
mild rebuke or momeDtary suppression. Yes
terday he was unusually obstreperous. and Mr.
Moss several times called upon the committee
10 order his removal from the room. There
upon Mr. Mazet would tell him 10 sit down on
penalty Of exclusion; but as often as he sa,
dou,n no arose again and reneafpd his perforn.
ance and he was neither excluded nor really led
TO fear that he would be. The Queen In Ahce's
Wonderland was constantly exclaiming ION
with his headr' But nobody's head was eveI
taken off, Mr. Mazets CALCULATIONS yesterday
were Of the same fierce but inconsequential va
riety. Now, O'Sullivan is present in profes