The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-07-10
Cross : Examination Forces
RetractiOn Of Other
:. q. Statements. ~,.
REVENGE WAS HIS MOTIVE
Witness Tells How He Begged
for Position and Then
Turned on Justice.

ALBANY, July 9.-RevenRe prompted
John A. Connolly to bring charges
| against Supreme Court Justice Daniel
+. Cohalan, so he testified to-day before
the Senate and Assembly Judiciary COM
mittees which are investigating Con-
! nolly's charge that Cohalan made him
give up 30 per cent. Of the profits he re-
| ceived from city contracts secured by
| Justice Cohalan for his concern. the
Victor Heating Company.
| The day was bad one for Mr.. Con-
molly. His direct examination ended at
noon and he was plucked apart during
the cross -examinat tion by Mr. Stanch-
field
The attorney for Justice Cohalan got
Connolly to admit that his one time CO.
shareholder in the Victor Heating Com
pany, O'FIanlon, denied having taken at
his dictation the letter which Connolly
says he sent to Cohalan offering him 81
per cent. on contracts he secured for the
company: that Alfred Il. Cruikshank.
once Connollys attorney. swore before
! the grievance committee of the Bar As
| sociation that he never destroyed any OF
the evidence that would prove the pres
ent charges that he pocketed for him.
self as Commissions" part of the sums
Of money he drew from the bank osten-
sibly to paw Cohalan his percentage
money: that he only contributed $3.50 to
the 1906 campaign fund in New York
city, whereas he said in signed state
ment that he gave $500. and that OF
Hearst contribution Of 81 900 In 1909 no
borrowed" back 800 after election from
the man to whom he gave 1t and has
never paid the loan.
Tries to shake story.
Mr. Stanchfeld bent every effort IN
brea king down the story of the witness.
and some Of the results he achieved
made the crowd laugh. He even made
Connolly admit that there had been no
mention of political influence at his al
legged conference with Cohalan when
the latter asked that he get 80 per cent.
Of the stock of the Victor Heating Com
pany in return for getting city con-
tracts for the concern.
Another admission by Connolly se-
cured as result Of questioning by
tees was that he did not tell the truth
when he signed an affidavit to the effect
that the Victor Heating Company had
lent s3940 to Justice Cohalan and de-
manded a settlement of the account.
The witness said neither he nor the
company ever lent Cohalan any money.
During his CrOss-examination Con-
molly became nervous and repeated
questions time and again as though
working for time to answer them. He
crossed and recrossed his legs. swung
his arms twiddled his thumbs and went
through many other motions. Never
once, however. did the witness look at
the Supreme Court Justice he wants to
have removed and dcbarred.
CohaIan Well ~ Ease.
In sharp contrast with Connoily's
actions. Justice Cohalan. surrounded by
crowd OF friends. including three
brothers. one OF them Surrogate CO.
halan, was apparently we'll at ease. He
kept track Of events and seldom took
his eyes from Connolly. lie offered
frequent suggestions to his counsel
In questioning Connolly MIR. Stanch-
field attempted to show that he was In
vengeful mood against Mr.. Cohalan
because the latter had not secured
political job for him. promised for sew
eral years. He asked whether or not
Connolly had gone to the New York
World with his story because he knew
that the brother of the man he was
to accuse. Surrogate COhalan. had
rendered a decision by which the Pu-
liter estate would have 10 pay an ad-
ditionaI big inheritance tax tn the State
treasury. Connolly said he had no
oDvoity oUoinat tho rOhalap family. but
was mad" at Justice Cohalan.
Connolly said he went there looking
for a service contract.
Didnt Have Dollar.
employment means money, doesn't IT
unless you are "A lawycr"' tn" witness was
asked.
Il am only a steamhtter." he answered.
! And YOU felt with your story full Of
venom and looking for revenge began
Mr. Stanchfirld, when the witness inter-
rupted to say he was not angry at Surro-
gate John r. Cohalan.
But against Daniel T.. COhalan," said
the attorney. SO that was the psycho-
logical time to take, right after SURROGATE
Cohalan's decision against the Pulitzer
estate last Decomher?'
The psychological time was this said
the witness. - didn't have a dollar In
the world and had family to support
ana ] nau h"'n s'Tuils hi'He pNei '"o
years on false promises
O. Mr., cohalan had family TO support
, too, hadn't he" 4. He has family and
he is supporting them very. very we'll I
believe
Mr. connolly was then examined - 20
whether or not he had attempted 70 sell
the story to another New York paper the
AmrriCdn. lie admitted he talked with
L. J. OReiily OF the Hearst fOrces.
Q. Did he tell you he intended publish
Ing this story? A, He wanted to publish
II and told him II he published II