The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-11-04
CROKER ON STAND.
Denied shs Charges Made BY chsirmsn
Mazet.

Denied the Charges Made BY chsirnssn
Mazet.
New York. November 6.-Thers was 9
good sixsd audience present when tbs Ma
zes investigating committee opened 10
session today drawn BY desire 70 hear
Richard Croker, who had been promised
hearing. Mr.. Croker was prompt aud
was followed BY Frank II. Plat and Al
bert b. Boardman Of thu firm Of Tracy,
Boardman and Platt. Before calling the
COMMITTEES to order, Chairman Nszst
called his Republican colleagues, fallows
and Wilson, and Counsel Moss Into IN
ante room for consultation. Mr.. Fall
lows remained but few minutes but the
other had long conference. Mr.. Croker
became impatient and said that he had a
good dsai OF work 10 do.
Five minutes later the chairman came
In and raped for order" am here under
oath, presume" said Mr.. Croker, ad.
dressing Chairman Mszct, land I want
to deny . Statements which you mads In
Jour campaign speeches In your district. %
Mr.. Mszst-"what 10 It that you want
to contradiotf"
Mr.. Croker-"I want to contradict the
speeches you have made In reference to
my dealings with the Consolidated Gas
company tried to sell Amsterdam
ct ,ok to that company. That Is what 1
understood you TO say In your speech. I
deny that now on the stand"
Mr.. Mszet-''ls that all. Mr.. Crokerf'
Mr.. Croksr-"That 10 ALL"
Mr.. Maset-"You arc excussd.''
Mr.. Croker -"win you take the stand
and TESTIFY to what you saidf"
Mt. Mazet-'Mr. Croker. will you
please step down from the standr'
Mr.. Croker complied.
AZ he left the committee room the pep
pie In the corridors oheered him wildly.
He made his way to the elevator and was
taken down stairs. The crowd oontinued
to cheer and 1t was necessary to call q
policeman from the street to clear the
passaseway. Most Of those In the CON-
mittae room followed Mr.. Croker and left
the room almost deserted.
Shortly after Mr.. Croker left the sand
Chairman Mazet gave out the following
statement: "Mr. Croker knows that this
IL no place and no time In which to settle
the question between him and me. What
I said upon the stump said not Of my
own knowledge, but upon good and
sufficient authority.
"If Mr.. Croker really wishes to have
the truth Of my statement tested he can
sue me for libel or he can prosecute me
oriminnlly by friendly district attorney
Here We cannot even compel Mr..
Croker to answer proper questions or
compel any witness to testify on this
matter a. the question between US 10 not
relevant to this inquiry.
(Signed) "Robert MAxet"
Two subpoena servers testified that Dis
trict Attorney Gardner had refused to 90
Dept subpoena from the committee and
then Mr.. Newberger was called. he testi-
fled that It was false that he had used the
district attorneys Office TO intimidate
witnesses In civil suit.
:sNr. Boardnan and MI. Platt then left
the room after being told that their pres
ence was not requested. Mr.. Moss here
offered In evidence list OF convictions
for certain offsnsss since January /. 1898.
1t was submitted By ths clerk Of the court
OF general sessiona 1t show that there
were thirty-one convictions for keeping
disorderly houses. twenty-thres for keep.
ing gambling houses and three for book
making; ffty-three for keeping policy
.hcc. oua for kaaninO N vool voon and