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This newspaper page contains 26 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Boston Post
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Apr 14, 1897
Page
5
Colonel Roger Scannell testifies as first defense witness in the Martin hearing recounting interviews with General Martin, his temper, and a later clash over lithia water plus a pending label lawsuit. The proceedings promise sharper revelations as the defense plans to finish its case.
Colonel Roger F. Scannell starred as the only witness in the afternoon session. His witty, rapid testimony enlivened proceedings as Governor urged decorum. He described manufacturing lithia and other waters from pure water, minerals, and carbonic acid, saying he could craft waters named after Mallowpa and Vichy.
The witness recalls wholesale and retail liquor licenses in the 1890s at Cambridge and Charles streets, rent increases, and political pressures. He describes leaving the premises in 1893, Sullivan’s involvement, and failed applications for renewal in 1895 and 1896, with various officials’ assurances and disputes over ownership and taxation.
The transcript records a tense exchange about pressuring General Martin over a park license and accusations of ill conduct. Witnesses describe repeated attempts to secure testimony from liquor dealers and political figures, with pleas for protective promises and delayed responses from Commissioners Clark and Curtis.
A witness recalls visiting General Martin after he joined the board to seek influence for a friend seeking police appointment. He describes leading the Workingmen's Protective League of Massachusetts and its political aims with Republican and Democratic ties, plus prior talks with Governor Greenhalge.
Col Scannell describes visiting General Martin who read a letter and discarded it in a waste basket. He recalls being called back and promised help, then recounts a second visit when Martin discussed a board ruling. He also notes further meetings about licenses and park commission objections.
Testimony recounts a 12 o clock meeting where Mr Miller and Col Scannell confronted General Martin in his office by mistake. Scannell’s blunt language prompted a rare moment of levity before the governor, with Commissioners Clark and Curtis absent, as they sought to speak to Curtis or Clark and left without seeing them.
The dialogue records Mr. Miller questioning General Martin about witness protection and fair treatment. General Martin affirmed that witnesses would receive protection and justice when testifying.
In a Boston hearing Colonel Scannell faces questions about his interview with General Martin and the gathering of evidence. He describes visiting mineral water suppliers Vincent & Hathaway Clark & Roberts Charles S Gove and Otis F Neal and notes liquor dealers were contacted but not signed petitions.
The testimony recounts Scannell denying proposed partnership with Everett F. Martin to form a Maine water company. Scannell describes visiting a spring site in June and August, noting a boarded spring and pump, and asserts his water testing showed it superior to Valador. He also defends his family name and ridicules an earlier accusation about forming a company for profit.
Colonel Scannell describes being detained by police after a night in Temple place and Kneeland street. He disputes the claim of drunkenness while detailing his interaction with an officer and his delivery to Station 4. The testimony references connections to General Martin and local officials.
Colonel Scannell described sending for Major Jones the pair commissioner and visiting Superintendent Eldredge to warn of court action and press exposure. Eldredge said he bailed and urged Scannell to go to court, while Jesse Gove, acting as attorney, pursued the matter but the judge was not seen and the hearing adjourned to this morning at 10 o'clock.
A morning session presents a list of 393 Pearl Hill Lithia Spring Company customers with 322 licensed drinkers, ten doubtful, and sixty-one not identified. Lawyers clash over whether petitioners should complete their case before defense, while real estate experts fail to appear and a fifteen minute recess is ordered to await their arrival.
James Murray Howe testified the land occupied by Pearl Hill Company is worth about ten cents a foot, with nearby properties rising in value. Fellow witnesses linked General Martin to the company, noting liquor dealers pressured to buy Pearl Hill water and gold mining stocks amid ongoing hearings and cross examination. The hearing adjourned to resume at 2 o clock with further testimony expected.
The Pearl Hill Lithia Company is named as defendant in two suits by James W. Tufts and E. and M. Kaplan. Tufts claims $1,750 for bottling apparatus supplied last August. Kaplan seeks $94 for bottle goods alleged to be sold to the company. Defendants say Tufts’ equipment was defective causing time and profit losses. An outstanding debt of $84.60 is noted. They admit only $729 of Kaplan’s claimed total, the rest claimed due to shortage and broken bottles.
Messrs. A. Shuman & Co. will start their third distribution of buff and blue silk lapel buttons at Shuman Corner. The patriotic em blem uses Continental Army colors and aims to spread American ideals, with hundreds of thousands already given out nationwide.
The Senate approved Senator Gallivan’s amended Cove street bridge bill for South Boston after a late showdown with the railroad lobby. Proponents hailed the victory as a rebuke to obstruction tactics while opponents warned of burdens on Boston schools if a statewide mill tax is enacted. The House debated related measures and referred anti trust bills to the next General Court.
In Suffolk, Mr. Holden and Mr. Irwin led moves to reconsider engrossment for extending Cove Street from the new Southern Union station Boston to allow amendments. An amended deadline to July 1, 1898 was adopted, a subway provision was rejected, and the bill proceeded to engrossment by 17 to 12 with four abstentions.
Discussion in the Boston House over the McCarthy bill to elect Aldermen at large by districts includes amendments for referendums and party grouping. Amendments by Quirk and Douglas face defeats as votes show opposition to postponement and changes.
A vintage health note promotes Salvation Oil as a remedy for rheumatic aches. The ad-style line promises relief with regular use, citing comfort and ease for joints.
In the House Mr Maxwell moved amendments to abolish the Common Council and enlarge the Board of Aldermen. Proposed changes include selecting the clerk by the board rather than appointment by the president, and allowing the board to set its own rules. Measures to curb presidential powers were adopted without division, and the bill moved to engrossment.
At the opening of the afternoon session the House referred to the next Legislature the remaining four bills against trusts and other aggregations of capital with no debate.
Mr Johnson of Boston argued to bar innholder licenses for hotels under twenty rooms in cities with over 60 000 residents claiming small hotels attract drinkers. Mr Kelcher opposed the measure calling it a blow to large hotels and ineffective for temperance. The bill was rejected by a fierce majority and a roll call was refused.
The House approved without debate the adverse report on Chelsea Mayor's petition seeking power to require all electric wires to be placed underground in the city.
The phrase the ice is out promises a strong New England fishing year with record crowds and big, plentiful trout and salmon. The Boston and Maine railroad touts easy access to Rangeley Moosehead Winnipesaukee and other famed grounds with guides, tickets, and timetables for eager anglers.
A damaged OCR record shows Judge Hammond in the Superior Court handling the Edwards versus Eldridge Jones matter. The document references notes from the defendant to A. A. Marcus and a verdict amount of 1508.77.
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