New-York tribune., 1919-05-10
COMMITTEE Asks Moss
To Sustain CHARGES


To Sustain Charges
9. Did not Senator Marshall say
that his constituents were opposed tn
the confirmation of Mr. Perkins. and
didn't you suggest that if he would
vote for Mr.. Perkins he would receive
a. contribution for his campaign sufi-
clent to overcome any opposition on
that account?
A. No, sir.
Chairman Burlingame said that az
matter of good faith the committee
would expect Mr.. Moss to sustain y
charge such as was embodied In his
questions, adding that, although this
was not in accordance with the rules Of
evidence, the committee wanted the
people of the state to know the situa-
ton
There are at least two other mat
Moss, "and you are attempting to put
the burden upon the side that renre-
sent Of proving these things against a
denial. 1t seems to me it is not a
proper thing"
Mr.. Whitman jumped from his chair
and, addressing Senator Burlingame.
declared that the questions were highly
improper.
"Mr. Perkins" continued the witness,
20 man VI ilSn CHaTacter, OF lnCeg-
rity, of honesty, who has devoted his
life during the last years to public
good, and during the last months on
the other side of the ocean. To drag
In his name under these circumstances
is an outrageous thing"
Ihe President pro tenn. of the Senate,
j. Henry Walters, who was present,
said that Mr.. Moss had made the in
sinuation for publicity purposes. This
led to general row, which ended with
the committee directing that the rec
ords of the Senate be produced.
Then Mr.. Moss started to cross-ex-
anime the former Governor regarding
talks he had with former Senator Will
lam H. Hill, now member of the
House Of Representatives, regarding
tho HillWheeler local option bill. This
was objected to by the witness, and
the chair sustained him.
A Pardon and Vote
Mr.. Moss then took up the Cotillo
incident.
Q. Governor, while the Perkins con-
firmation was pending, did you have a
conversation with Senator regarding
the pardon of man who was in pris-
on? A. l presume I may have had a
dozen such conversations, don't know.
l don't remember what you mean. If
you will ask the question directly I will
try to answer it.
@: DA 5ou to any Senator say you
WOULD pardon man who was in prison
II re would vote for the confirmation
Of Perkins?
Again Governor Whitman jumped
angrily from the witness chair, crying:
IL object to that question as an in
suit OF course did not"
Governor" said Chairman Burlin-
game, "answer the question, and then
will let you state anything further
you wish concerning the matter"
u object to this whole line Of ques-
tioning!" exclaimed Mr.. Whitman. his
face flushed and his eyes glaring at his
relentless inquisitor. 81 pardon man
for vote? Is that what you mean 2"
THAT is what said" said Mr.. Moss.
II did mott" snapped the witness.
HE denied IT," observed the chair.
Can you in any way prove it,"
II will talk about that later" an
swered Mr.. Moss.
Let us talk about it now" said the
~ say have a reason for asking
that question and will talk about It
later
The former Governor. pla;nIv an
gered, shouted:
Il insist that he answer the chair-
mans question now. Whom do YOU
fnean?" ~"
Senator Cotillo, Who Is Here"
Mr.. Moss, waving his hand. toward
Senator Cotillo, who sat just behind
chairman Burlingame, said:
i mean Senator Cotillo. who is
here" ''''' WIN 20
Tho crowd in the chamber, which had
70 lor moment raised such o hubbub
tnat 1t was almost impossible to hear
wnat was going on, quieted down SO
that pin could be heard to fall as
Senator Cotillo rose.
II think you have misstated your
question. MI. Moss" said Senator Co.
tillo: Then he said that, in fairness
TO himself and all concerned, he want
ed to make n statement.
This was smut off temporarily by
Chairman Burlingame declaring a re-
cess to enable the committee to 60
into executive session. It was held In
the open the Senator'S carrying ON