New-York tribune., 1910-02-16

stI1 esns the Newcomh questions evil
ser-fv having fathonaed their purpose
Senator Nsweonb protested that he mad
q risht at any time to interrogate the
witness. and Senator Davis, presiding
ruled IN his favor.
Thereupon Senator Grady, trying with
euerv resource at his command TO shut
,u, fhe questions. demanded tat the
committee OF plan and procedure bring
i: new rule to govern this question
WHY should there be a new rule when
SEEK 10 ask question" demanded
So,--or Newcomh. rs there anything
In the questions / sm about TO ASK
which rear.- demand new rule TO smut
me OFF,
Senator Schulz also protested Nlsor-
osslx, snu Senator Wainwright jumped
- his feet with much indignation. lnol-
eating that he believed Grady's tachcs
were an effort to impose gag rule
Il mus, protest against any procedure
which would restrict the right OF any
cen..o- n ssk anv question he likes at
any fine said ne. IF there rs any
such movement hope il VIII he ffo"heo
on vigorously.
Again Senator DAVIS Tnlen 1idt "ch"
tor Newcornb might ask his ques'iohs-
At that he read from a record the aues-
rions Of Mr Littieton about pllose
corrlption fund and the ADMISSION ihaue
by Mir. Osborne that the bridge connpa-
ries did raise a corruption fund IN t'''o
READS LIST OF QUESTIONS
.T ask If 1.o1I have personal knowledge
shat 3 fund was raised In lHl5 to III
euerc. the course Of highway legisia-
ton in the legislature He read from
2 uaper containing list of questions
he had prepared.
sT have said Senator Conger. calmly
Though the answer had been lndlcateu
lv the attitude Of the Conger lawyers
.te rnat+er-of-f fact admission drew gasp
o< surprise from Senators and the great
throng of spectators alike
Did YOU personally know of the dis
l,ursement of that fund.-" was Senator
Newcombs next question. Senator Con-
ger hesitated just long enough TO per
nit Mr.. Osborne 20 rise 10 question:
Of personal privilege.
This is a very closely confined issue
said he 1T is what did the respondent
do on or about April % 1901. Now the
Senator's question goes into the future
and wants to know what somebody else
cid in 1903 or 1904 L am not able to
decide now whether in the interest OF
truth and that is the only thing L here
advocate-I want - make objection TO
tfat question. ] consider il very grave
question whether this honorable body
wants 10 inject into this case any other
question than the one at issue
Senator Newcomb maintained that, al
though Mr.. Osborne unquestionahly was
right in representing himself as counsel
Tor the people" in this case, there We're
many things regarding 1t which might
not come into his mind.
IF anything could possibly relate TO
the dignity of the Senate" said he,
these matters which are already on the
record do We were instructed COM
mittee Of the whole 20 investigate the
matters referred 10 by Senator Aids.
We said that We would investigate the
matters relating 10 his integrity and the
dignity OF the Senate"
Well | don't want to dive into a hole
and break my neck said Mr.. Osborne,
II want to examine the bottom, and de-
sire until tomorrow morning TO con-
suit"
SENATOR RRACkETT STIRRED.
This proposition, however, stirred up
Senator Bracket to strong objection
Nh Osborne again insisted that he did
not want TO have injected into the case
any greater amount OF bitterness than
existed. nor TO divert attention from the
srecifc issue. Finally on Senator Davis's
ruling the question was repeated. and
Senator Conger said that he had no per-
sonal knowledge of the disbursement Of
The fund.
Did the representatives of the bridge
companies meet at any place in 1893 TO
accumulate that fund.-" came the next
question.
Il don't think So Senator Conger an
svered
Then what do you mean by what YOU
ssid7 II there was no meeting, how
vas the fund accumulated"
Am / obliged TO answer that ques-
tom" asked Senator Conger He was
rlsnifestly nervous-even agitated. He
twisted his handkerchief in his hands
end shifted around uneasily in his chair.
Senator Davis ruled after considerable
legal spsrring. that the question must
be answered.
1T was paid into a certain party" re
piled Senator Conger
Nov. who was that party" demanded
Senator NewComb. Then as more objec-
Jions were raised, he explained that he
did not intend to get as far as the ulti-
nate recipients cf the fund, but merely
wanted TO know who first got It after
the bridge companies contributed it. But
right there Senator Conger developed
amazing stubbornness.
Il appeal 80 the chairman said he.
that We are going into an Inquiry not
contemplated in my specific charges
They were confined TO the one issue. |
have z right not TO answer this question
because II is not pertinent TO the par
Jcular inquiry We have undertaken"
WAR OF LAWYERS BEGINS.
Then the war Of lawyers began in
earnest. Senator Bracket declared Wig
crously that the witness had no right TO
refuse TO answer. Senator Mead main
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