New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-11
Counsel for Accused Justice De.
clare ConnoIIy's Story Too
FIimSy to Need More
than Denial.
READY TO "TAKE CHANCES"
Tammany Men Openly Talk of
Their Intention to Acquit the
Jurist and Try to Have His
Accuser Prosecuted
for Perjury.
trrOm star Correspondent Of tn. rribun.

fFrom star Correspondent Of The Tribune
Albany. July 10.-The prosecution IN
the Cohslan case before the legislative
Judiciary committees practically fin
ished putting in its case against the
New York County Supreme Court ius-
tice tonight. Certain documentary
evidence and stipulations will be put in
Tomorrow morning and the complain
ant Will res.
Alfred b. Cruikshank, the lawyer
who handled for John A. Connolly the
matters in connection with the return
Of the Cohslan 1890 So and the $4,000
note, was the Only witness examined at
the night session. He, like O'Hanlon.
Wiley and Judge Southard, who fol-
lowed Connolly on the witness stand,
corroborated parts of Connolly's main
story.
John b. Stanchfled and the other
counsel for the defence, however,
claimed TO be so confident that Con-
nolly's evidence had been discredited
on his own cross examination that they
declared late tonight that if the COM
Dlainant rested the case practically as
il stands now, they would not put any
witnesses on the stand in Justice CO.
halan's defence
We would let the case stand on
Judge Cohalan's stated denial" said
Mr. StanchIield, and argue the case on
that. We cannot believe that Connollys
accusations will be credited with tho
meagre support they received from the
other witnesses
To Avoid Cross. Examination.
II had been the intention of the de-
fence to put Justice Cohalsn on the
stand, but either because OF the sp-
parent friendly attitude Of the commit
tee, or for other reasons, II appeared
after to-nights session that they did
not intend TO take the chance OF sub
jecting the accused justice TO cross
examination.
On the surface. II is understood. the
Cohalan lawyers will base their argu-
ment on the proposition that Connolly
is an accomplice, and that his evidence.
therefore, cannot be taken without full
corroboration. With that will go the
claim that the witnesses heard to-day
have not corroborated the vital points
Of the Connolly accusations, namely.
the % per cent charge, and the allega-
tions with respect to the $4,000 note
and the promise Of a job for Connolly
from Cohalan.
Admittedly. on this surface argument.
the Cohalan lawyers say they are TAX
ing a chance on the charge that the
Cohalan denial statement was untrue
and misleading" but their announce
ment is taken here tonight as an ad-
mission that they would sooner "tako
a chance" than subject Justice Cohalan
to the possibly greater chance OF
severe cross examination.
Back OF the surface explanation ia
believed TO lie the proposition that the
Cohslan counsel feel confident that
their arguments in his behalf will be
falling on friendly ears when they talk
to the members Of the joint committee.
The entire progress Of the inquiry
would justify that assumption. for In
practically every question that has been
put TO witnesses, especially TO Con-
molly, by members Of the committee.
there has been shown at the very least
a mild hostility.
Senator Murtaugh stands as the lone
exception among those who have con-
tinually heclSled the witnesses, and
while II Is believed that he will exert
every influence TO have the case con-
sidered strictly on its merits, 1t is be-
ing taken. for granted here tonight
that the committees report 10 the Joint
session Of the Legislature will not be a
recommendation for Justice Cohalans
dismissal.