The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-28

The long g-talked-of investigation Of the
police department OF Central Falls. con-
Quoted by the board of aldermen OF that
city. was started at late hour yesterday
afternoon and after a number of wit
resses had given their testimony 1t was
realized that il would be impossible to
bring the examination 10 a conclusion at
one sitting and an adjournment was taken
till this evening at o'clock.
II was remarkable gathering in more
ways than one. Ia the first place there
was very large attendance and the coun-
ell chamber In which the investigation
was held was filled as full OF specta.
tors and witnesses as it could possibly
hold But the one feature which stood
out every minute from the time the first
question was asked by Attorney Bowen
till the adjournment was that the cards
were stacked against Mayor McNally and
his counsel. John j. Fitzgerald OF Paw
tucket and James A. Williams of Provi-
dence.
The former was selected some time ago
10 be the legal advisor OF the board Of
aldermen, but he was something more
than that laet night. The president, Mr.
Davenport. was prepared 10 carry out
every suggestion which Mr.. Bowen made
and TO turn down everything offered by
Messrs. Fitzgerald and Williams. and II
at any time during the evening there was
the slightest chance OF his wavoring
Alderman Smith was right on his feet
ready TO bolster up the president
A COMPLETE FARCE.
So far as anything which came out last
evening was concerned the Investigation
was a farce from beginning TO end. The
whole purpose OF practically every ques-
tion was Z, show that Mayor McNally
had given the liquor dealers who wanted
10 do an illegal business protection and
that he had been paid for this protection,
but there was just one man who made
any statement which by any twisting
could possibly be used AIS connecting the
mayor with taking bribe money and the
cross questioning which this man got from
Mr.. Fitzgerald showed that his state
ments were hardly worthy of belief.
He was very certain that he had paid
20 Mayor McNally about $50 for protec-
ton, but his other answers We're so
twisted and illogical that IT Is difficult
TO see how the members OF the board
could accept them at their face value.
Alphonse Bienvenue was the .fnan who
made this statement. but Il was a notice
able fact that during the entire time he
was being questioned ne was very careful
not 10 let his eyes wander I'm the drec-
tion OF the mayor. and then when ~ came
10 remembering the most important mat
ters which had occurred only few days
ago he was suddenly stricken with loss
OF memory that was absurd.
The session did not close without a
sharp tilt between Attorney Bowen and
Mayor McNally. who had at the begin.
ming OF the session taken a scat at the
side OF the president OF the board al
though that official showed his bias by
practically ignoring the presence OF the
chief executive OF the city.
MAYOR MADE ANGRY.
.. 1t was while Mr.. Bowen was attempting
to get some hearsay information out of
a witness that the incident occurred that
attracted the greatest attention OF the
evening and for time there was consld
erable OF an uproar I'm the chamber as the
result Mr.. Bowen had stated when call
ed 10 account by Mr.. Fitzgerald for his
unprofessional conduct towards the wit
ness. that he expected TO prove I'm this
way that Mayor McNally desired certain
money TO come 10 him indirectly and AZ
this point the mayor could contain him
self no longer but arising in his chair he
told Mr.. Bowen that he was d liar
and he would cuff his ears before he got
through with him"
This was the signal for President Dav-
snport TO show his bias for he not only
told Mr.. Fitzgerald 20 refrain from maxi
ing objections but he also ordered the
mayor TO take his seat. OF course Mr.
Bowen was permitted to continue as he
had begun