New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-17
Jurors, Doubling EvangeI-
ist Is a Clergyman, Fear
Address Illegal.
JURY, FIRING OF QUIZ,
URGES QUICK ENDING
Expects to Quit Wednesday
Chances OF Warden's Witnesses
Being Heard Thought Slight.

Whether Thomas Mott Osborne should
be indicted for permitting the Rev.
Billy Sunday 20 address the conyicts In
the Sing Sing death house is one OF the
questions before The Westchester Coun-
" Grand Jury. That Sunday mad ad-
dressed the condemned was known 70
few until yesterday
II is against the Laws TO permit Wis
itors other than clergymen, lawyers and
relatives of the men about TO die to
enter the death house. The question
which Is bothering Osborne's prosecu-
tors is whether the evangelist Is cler-
gymsn within the meaning Of the law.
Mr.. Osborne was questioned on this
matter while before the jury. He sd-
mitted that he had permitted Sunday to
speak in the death house at the re-
quest Of the evangelist and the con-
demned men. but said he had not per-
mitted him to speak 20 them individ-
uslly. For this thu warden made
neither excuse nor apology.
The grand jury has now reached tho
point where l. is anxious 20 get rld OF
the entire Sing Sing matter. Iester-
dav afternoon, in the presence OF sew
oral witnesses called at the request OF
Mr.. Osborne TO testify to conditions In
the prison, one OF the jurors told As
sistant District Attorney William j.
Fallon that the jury would not slt later
than 1890 this afternoon and would
not meet on Saturday.
We've been six weeks on this thing
now. and we're getting sick of It," he
declared. Our private business Is sur
fering.'
In consequence u this declaration
only Richard NJ. Hurd, president OF the
State Prison Commission and president
Of the Lawyers Mortgage Company, VIII
be called to-day from the list OF those
friendly 20 Mr.. Osborne. More con-
yjcts NAV be heard. Mr. Fallon declsr-
ing when some Of the Osborne Wit
nesses asked 10 testify that there arc
others 70 hear.
Tentatively members Of the jury have
agreed 20 wind up its sessions Wednes-
day and to devote Monday TO visit 20
the prison so it cannot be said that 1t
failed 70 look over that place. II this
programme il followed most OF the Os-
borne witnesses will not be heard.
May Charge Mismanagement.
Rumors became current in White
Plains Yesterday that Mr. Osborne
would be indicted not on the charges
~ personal immortality made by con-
victs, but OF charges OF acknowledgement
Of the prison. One man who has been
in the confidence Of those seeking TO
drive Osborne from Sing Sing said this
course had been decided on. There Is
another element in the grand jury,
however, which favors making a pre-
sentiment alleging that Osborne Is UNI
ct TO hold office and should be removed.
There are some in this group who favor
continuing the inquiry until after the
first of the year in the hope that gem
eral legislative inquiry VIII be ordered.
This course is favored by friends OF
District Attorney Weeks. Mr.. Weeks
hopes for a place on the bench, and
those who would like to see him there
fear his chances have been damaged by
the attacks on Mr. Osborne, while In a
statewide prison inquiry 1t Is felt the
resentment of Westchester voters
would disappear
An inspired report from the District
Attorneys Office yesterday said that
Mr.. Weeks had reversed himself on
granting Mr. Osborne's request 70 per
nit the minutes and afidayits in the
case TO be made public and would to-
dav oppose the motion before Justice
Morchauser. He will urge that these
be not made public until the inquiry Is
concluded. George Gordon Battle will
make Mr.. Osborne's fight for publicity.