Norwich bulletin., 1914-02-16

Buffalo, N. r. Feb. Is.-John J. Ken nedy, state treasurer, committel sui eide this afternoon at the Markeen ho- tel. where he and his family had lived for about @ year. He was found in a small lavatory off the hotel ballroom, with his throat cut and an open razor lying on the floor beside him He died before a doctor arrived.
 A flash of temporary insanity, in duced by worry oyer his impending appearance before a New York grand jury where District Attorney Charles $. Whitman has been conducting a John Doe inquiry, is said by his attor ney, Michael F. Dirnberger, Jr., to be the only reason that can be assigned for MT. Kennedy's act
 Subpoenaed for John Doe Inquiry.
 Just before leaving Albany on Fri day MT. Kennedy was served with a subpoena to appear at the inquiry, and upon his arrival here another officer from MT. Whitman's office served a second subpoena on him. He sent for Mir. Dirnberger. and after a short talk with him it was announced that Mir. Kennedy would start for New York to- night. A ticket for New York and a sleeper ticket for a train leaving here at 8 o'clock tonight were found in Mir. Kennedy's pocket.
 After his talk with his attorney of Friday evening Mr. Kennedy appeared to be in excellent spirits On Saturday afternoon he met a number of close political friends at a hotel and spent several hours with them.
 Beyond Aid When Found by Son.
 He went to high mass at the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament with his son, William H. Kennedy, today and re- turned to the hotel with him about 12 o'clock. After greeting his wife and a daughter. Mir Kennedy said he was go- fnC to his room to lie down until they were ready for luncheon. The son went to the apartments to summon his father shortly afterwards. Not finding him there. he made inquiries from ho- tel employees and learned that his fath- CT had been seen going towards the laVatory off the ballroom. W hen he pushed open the door he saw MT. Ken nedy lying on the floor
 Dr. J. T. Whitwell. the hotel physi- elan. was summoned, but he could do nothing to save the dying man. who had already lost much blood. Death occurred while Mir Kennedy was be- ing carried into the ballroom. The medical examiner after a brief tnvesti- gatiOn issued a certificate of death by suicide.
 Had Waived Immunity.
 Attorney Dirnberger tonight gave out the following statement:
 "On Thursday, Jan. 29. MT. Kennedy at the request of District Attorney Whitman appeared before the grand jury of New York county. He signed 8 waiver of immunity and was exam ined by MT Whitman and his assist ant at great length and in much detail. covering a period of about one and one-half hours.
 "On Wednesday, Feb. II, a subpoena from District Attorney Whitman's of fee was served upon Mir. Kennedy per- sonally at Albany, again requiring his appearance before the same grand jury or Monday, Feb Is. at 10.30 o'clock a. m.
 Examined Affairs at State Treasurer's
 Office.
 "Yesterday. Feb. IA, at the Iroquois hotel here in Buffalo another subpoena, identical in form with the one served upon him on Wednesday, was served upon him personally, also requiring his appearance before the grand jury at the same time Monday morning.
 For the past ten days I have been in constant touch with MT. Kennedy, and was with him personally at Al bany on Monday, Tuesday and We'd nesday of last week, During this time I examined carefully into the affairs of the state treasurer's office. examin- ed all the statutes relating to the of flee of state treasurer and such rules as regulated the conduct of that office. I had daily conferences with Deputy Comptroller Wendell, who has charg6 of matters relating to the conduct of ete comptreller's office in so far as they relate to the office of state treas urer; 1 also met and discussed mat ters in relation te the state treasurer s office with Attorney General Carmody, and met with Mitchell May, secretary of state, and discussed with him mat ters relating to the land board canal board and 0ther boards of which NIT. Kennedy, as state treasurer, was a member.
 Office Efficiently Conducted.
 ..I discussed with MT. Baton, the deputy state treasurer, with NIT. Can non, the cashier, and with the execu- tive clerks in charge of all the depart ments in the state treasurer's office, to familiarize myself with the procedure of the affairs of the office of state treasurer.
 After this very thereush examina- ten
 After this very thorough oEamina- tien. which l made in d most extended and exhaustive way, l found that Mir Kennedy had conducted his office in q most efficient manner, and had com piled strictly with the statutes relating to that office in every particular and with the rules of conduct which had governed that office for many years.
 Was Sensitive of Criticism.
 MT Kennedy was a most conscien- tious man, who disliEcd publicity and was lleenly sensitive of criticism RaV- ing been before the grand jury and given that body all the information asked of him and thinking that his examination had been concluded. he worried constantly about tiae proposed examination Monday morning because he could not imagine what further in vestfgation there could be about him and his affairs as state treasurer. lie talked with me constantly about this matter during the last few days and while l knew he had nothing to con- ceal in his proposed examination, l could see that he was breeding over this matter and feared the publicity. He told me that he had never before been a witness either before a grand jury or ~in an action before any court 1,,a I, ierl,+