The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-05-08

City Solicitor Albert A. Baker was pres
ent as legal advisor TO the board and to
examine the witnesses, Chief Matthews
was representa- by Judge Richard r. Ly-
man. John b. Nash had as attorneys
Messrs. Comstock and Canning, and Mr..
Cristy appeared without counsel
The witnesses present included John p.
Nash, Police Inspector Bartholomew
Shea OF Fall River Samuel ]. Meinhold
and n number OF others who remained in
the chiefs office.
AT the outset II was made plain that
Chief Matthews would object strenuously
10 the Introduction of anything tending
10 connect him with the intimidation OF
Nash. as well as TO the relevancy OF tes-
timony previously given.
Judge Lyman manifested a disposition
to interpose every possible obstacle. on
behalf OF hts client. TO a complete revela
tion OF all the details OF the subject.
City Solicitor Baker. however. appeared
to incline to the board policy already in
dicated by the board; and all his rulings
as the legal adviser OF the commission
were I'm the line OF the fullest and most
searching inquiry.
II was very evident that the police
department knew nothing OF the pur-
poses OF the board TO make the hear
rived a small regiment OF officers was
on hand TO prevent any one from ap-
proaching nearer than 10 feet OF the
room where the hearing was held.
John b. Nash was the first witness
put on the stand. His testimony had
not proceeded far when the commits
sion adjourned the hearing for lunch,
and all that had been presented was
practically repetition of the evidence
given by him on Friday and printed
exclusively in the News on Saturday.
which the other newspapers will have
to publish this afternoon at second
hand
The commissioners were slow In get
ting together, Chairman Luther arriv-
ing first at 9:45, looking tired and
declaring that he-was cross"
Commissioner Gross followed Is min
utes later. wearing big pink, and
Commissioner Pierce. with silk-lined
overcoat on his arm, came next ~
minutes late.
city Solicitor Baker followed, and,
within a few minutes after his arrival,
the board,-which had admitted counsel
for Nash, gave out the following state
ment:
AS soon as the board convened this
morning, Commissioner Gross spoke as
follows:
MIR. Chairman. / would like 10 have
a little something to say regarding the
matter When the hearing opened the
original charges took the position that
the case should be heard In accordance
with precedents established by this board.
and by it's predecessors In control or the
police department. namely. the police
committee OF the board of aldermen.
"I believe. however. that conditions
have changed and that II Is due TO Mr..
Cristy. due 20 the chief of police and due
10 the board that anything that Is heard
In this case from now on should be open
10 the public 10 the extent OF allowing the
reporters and counsel for the chief, coun-
sci for Mr.. Cristy and Mr.. Nash, the
counsel which we have for the board. Mr.
Baker, 10 he present.
"T have every belief that this board has
done everything honorably in this mat
ter and we have nothing To fear: and \
believe that public opinion now demands
that we should take this matter up in
this way.
"T therefore move you that the oose ne
thrown open TO the public To the extent
I have mentioned
In regard 20 the same matter. Chairman
Luther said: '1 want IL TO be understood
that I am heartily IN favor OF n public
hearing 10 the extent mentioned by Col.
Gross. and, I'm view OF the changes In
conditions, believe that the testimony
taken from this time should be taken In
tho presence, OF newspaper Representatives.
and tho hearing pushed To an Immediate
conclusion. am heartily In favor Of the
motion"
Commissioner Pierce said: II want the
case 90 proceed promptly and in accord
ancc with the motion made by Col. Gross.
with which I am heartily In favor"
Counsel for the chief objected at the
outset 20 any attempt 70 hold n double
hearing on tho question ~ purging John
b. Nash of contempt and the alleged com