The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-05-31

Sust after the police commissioners ad-
1ourned last Tuesday afternoon. after the
arguments had been delivered in the
Cristy-Matthews conspiracy case, there
was a most interesting verbal set-to be-
tween CHER or Police Frank A. Matthews
and Rev. Albert A. Cristy In the office
OF Secretary Samuel Gee OF the police
board
All through the argument made by Mr.
Cristy the chief showed suppressed emo
tion and occasionally interrupted the
speaker. as did his attorney. Judge Rich
ard f. Lyman; and, as Mr. Cristy was
about to leave Secretary Gees room in
company with Commissioner Luther
Chief Matthews walked up to him and
said:
1.-The minister you called liar at the
minister's meeting was one OF the finest
and most respected clergymen that ever
set foot in Rhode Island
"You thought you were getting back at
me when you said Rev Mr. Geisler's in
fornlant was a liar; and | wouldn't give
you the satisfaction OF telling you who
the man was" the cheif concluded. with
emprasis.
II don't know who the man was and
never called any man a liar" said Mr..
Cristy. mildly. II never had the opportu-
nifty 10 do so at the meeting"
well, you practically did so" said the
chief.
II did not" Mr.. Cristy responded. with
some warmth. II merely asked Mr.. Gels
Ter who was his informant: and he did
not see ht to answer That is all there
was 10 It,"
Chief Matthews who had walked into
the outer office. returned and repeated
his declaration that he had withheld this
information all through the trial; and Mr..
Cristy let IL go at that.
He left the building with Commissioners
Luther, who had been an Interested spec
tator OF the scene. and who seemed 20
think Il had been enacted for his benefit.
While Judge Lyman was making his ar
gument. Chief Matthews. who sat at his
side, lay back in HIS chair. his right hand
grasping an arm OF the chair and his
left toying with lead pencil. with which
he made arabesques on the blue blotting
paper that covered the table beside which
he sat Occasionally he shifted his right
leg ovec his left knee and grasped the
right knee with his right hand while his
left hand closed convulsively on the win
dow ventilator.
Judge Lyman closed his speech at 3;lb.
having spoken an hour and five minutes
-extempefaHAauslur- -u-lth-now and then
reference 10 his notes. He made no at
tempt at oratory but arrayed his facts
with skill and spoke with apparent con-
viction.
Rev. Mr.. Cristy followed Immediately.
standing between the desk at which he
eat and the witness chair. Mr.. Cristy
moved restlessly during his speech, grasp
ing the side and top Of the chair and
using his left hand to emphasize his
points while his right hand held his writ
ten speech close TO his eyes.
His gestures were in pulpit fashion.
At times he would extend his hand In
a comprehensive sweep. and again he
would close his fist and pound the back
of the chair
When Mr.. Cristy scored Chief Mat
thews for recommending licenses for Nash
IL he knew at that time that Nash was
a bad man. Mr.. Matthews smiled In a
bored sort OF way, scratched rapidly on
his pad. then scratched his right ear
and crossed his legs.
When the check incident was empha-
sized the chief cast a scornful look at
the speaker and then became absorbed
In something he seemed TO see out In
the street.
Judge LYMAN winked and looked tow
ard the ceiling when Mr.. Cristy empha-
sized this sentence. with the true in
stinct OF criminal lawyer the chiefs
counsel has sought TO put everybody else
on trial but>the chief"
once Mr.. Cristy was interrupted by
City Solicitor Baker. who said: I'D
like TO ask you a question. Mr. Cristy.
You say that complaints had been made
against some other place. What evidence
is there bearing on that points"
Mr.. Cristy. Mr.. Nash told of IL In his
testimony"
A little later Chief Matthews could not
restrain himself while Mr.. Cristy was
referring to the connection OF Rev. Mr..
Geisler with the case. He broke I'm with:
I'D like to be permitted TO say a word
here. This minister's name has not come
into evidence. He had made an explana-
tion in the public press completely vim
dicating himself; and l don't think he
should be attacked here"
Judge Lyman chimed in: II don't like
TO object. but the chief Is right. as there
isn't a particle of evidence to bear out Mr..
Cristys statement as TO Rev. Mr.. Gels
Mr. Cristy: ut has come into evil
dence!" putting his foot down hard and
pounding the back of witness chair with
Mr.. Baker: produce the evidence. That
will settle It,"
The evidence was produced. and showed
that Rev. Mr.. Cristy was right: and Mr.
Cristy resumed az follows:
Counsel for the chief has made state
ments In his argument which were not
tue: but | rsffained from interrupting
HIM I'd like to ask that he extend the
same courtesy TO me-"
Mr. Baker: Counsel Is within his rights
in interrupting II he believes you have
gone outside the evidence. Go ahead. Mr..
Cristy."
Al the conclusion OF Mr.. Crsty's argu-
ment. Chief Matthews left his chair and
advanced 10 the centre Of the room. say
Ing: "Td like 10 say another word.
Speaking I'm regard 70 the pastor of the
little Cturch where Frank A. Matthews
family attends. | didn't drag him in. lie
would have come here IL he had been
summoned"
The chief cited Mr.. Geisler's denial In
the daily papers OF n statement made In
the Rhode Island Temperance League pa
per recently. and added: THAT is why
arose. felt hurt that Mr.. Cristy should
attack this man In that way. | think IL
diegraCefll and insult 10 the man.