Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-03-06

hAt1 ~ N0ef0
the hackers of the bills and see if the
bill would be withdrawn? ?"
Il do not remember"
did o say that you would do with
these bills whatever the hackers of the
bills wanted you to do?"
Il do not know whether / did or
not"
Denies Promising 10 Garry. 5000.
When asked if he promised to convey
the $1,000 message, Fitzherbert denied
he ever told the committee that he
agreed to do this.
Senator F1tzherbert declared that his
remarks at the hearing before the judi
ciary committee were not miscon-
strued by the committee, but by the
press.
A deal of time was taken UP by read
ing statements from newspaper ac-
counts of the hearing. The attorney
general based many of his questions on
the roprts. Fitzherbert admitted that
he might have said at the hearing that
he was i~ndescreet, inasmuch that he
did not pick UP a club and hit Wise
hart over the head with 1t, as suggest
ed by Senator Edge. He declared he
was not indiscreet at anything else.
This concluded the cross-eXamination.
Edwards Threatened with Contempt.
Senator Edge, before adjournment,
explained that due notice was given
of the hearing for the bills. Edwards
~insinuated hat the committee had
Interior motives. Read objected to
this, and then there ensued a quarrel
between the counsel and the senator,
n Senator Read told Edwards that
he may at any time be Judged In con-
tempt of court.
President Prince reminded Edwards
that he was permitted to represent
Fitzherbert by courtesy and not by
right. Adjournment was taken at I
for an hour. Ridner will be the first
witness called.
Defense to Call Ridner.
In a conference this morning the
Republican senators discussed the pro-
cedure to be followed at today's trial.
1t was decided that the Senate will
not call Ridner to testify, but permit
the defense to do SO. This will give
Attorney-General Wilson the right to
c-ross-eXamine him.
Mr.. Wilson explained this when the
SeSsiOu Opeueu anu also stated lndI
Ridner was not called at the instance
of the Senate, but at the suggestion of
Mr.. Edwards. The latter explained
that he did not SEND a telegram to
Senator Edge asking that Ridner be
summoned. He declared that the pro-
cedure of the Senate was not a prose-
%cution, but an investigation. and,
therefore, Ridner, as we'll as any man
NI-4 1I-11 g-AA - It'll |
be called.
Discussion followed this and Senator
Edge declared that If the Senate called
Ridner he would be insured of i'm
munity by testifying. He did not wish
to rob the grand jury of it's right to
indict Ridner if it chose to do so.
Senator Fielder argued that it was
more important to have all the facts
brought out in connection with the
charges against Fitzherbert than to
consider any indictment hat may or
may not be made against Ridner.
Fielder believed the doctor ought to
be called as a witness, although he did
not know just what Ridner would tes-
tify.
Senator Edge declared the Senate had
no objection to having Ridner called by
Edwards, but he did not think the Sem
ate should.
Don't you think Mr.. Ridner's testi-
mony is part of the essential testi-
mony?" asked Senator Johnson.
Edge Regards Ridner as Defendant.
mo" replied Edge. "I regard him as
a defendant"
After the senators had finished talk
ing, Mr.. Edwards declared that he
would call DR.. Ridner, in order that the
prosecution may be turned into an in
quiry.
He stated that he did not do this
because it was essential to his de-
Tense, but in justice to all concerned
and in consideration of the desire of
the Senate, which body he thought
was anxious to hear Ridner's testi-
mony.
Before this discussion took place the
Republican senator's discussed the adj
visibility of bringing out the infor-
nation that Senator Fielder had known
Of the Fitzherbert-Ridner affair sew
eral weeks ago. This would be done
with the view of showing that the
Democrats had been acquainted with
the true situation In time to have
taken some action.