55 



deprive any citizen of under any circumstances whatever. I do not 

 think there has been anything of that sort in the history of investi- 

 gations. Now the point in regard to which I wish to be informed is 

 as to what the counsel means by his suggestions at the close of what 

 he had to say, that when they are through with the witness we may 

 ask questions. We do not want to be put to the trouble, annoyance, 

 expense and delay of bringing back a witness to ask a few questions 

 which will bring out the facts, when we ought to be allowed to ask 

 the questions as they are always asked from the witness at the time 

 he is upon the stand in all courts. 



Mr. Adams. — I mean this: At the conclusion of Mr. Basselin's 

 testimonv — 



Mr. Fiero (Interrupting). — Permit me to make one suggestion. My 

 attention is called, by way of illustration, to the fact that when the 

 Fassett committee sat in New York, when the city departments were 

 being investigated counsel appeared, and, as I understand, without 

 question or contr6versy, and I do not understand that anybody ever 

 thought of such a thing as raising the question that the departments 

 should not be represented by counsel before that committee, or any 

 other committee, until to-night. 



Chairman Ryan. — Were counsel permitted to cross-examine the 

 witnesses for the purpose of gaining information in that investigation? 



Mr. Fiero. — Certainly, fully and at large. They were allowed to 

 cross-examine every body brought before the committee. The chair- 

 man will recollect that Mr. Choate and Mr. Cochrane appeared and 

 examined the witnesses. It is customary upon all occasions and at all 

 times, and it would be a most unusual thing to refuse that right. 



Mr. Adams. — What I intended to say was this: That when Mr. 

 Basselin's examination should be concluded upon the part of the 

 committee and he should desire to explain anything in regard to any 

 answer he has made or any information which was not called for by 

 me as council for the committee, he may be asked to explain and his 

 counsel may conduct the examination by way of securing such further 

 information. He has the right to be represented by counsel. First, 

 to protect him against questions not before the committee, because 

 the committee has jurisdiction only to a certain extent, and in th^ 

 second place if questions are asked which may tend to criminate him, 

 he may advise with counsel as to whether he would be justified in 

 refusing to answer and putting himself upon his privilege. But I do 

 not understand that as a matter of right the counsel of the commis- 

 sioners have any right whatever to cross-examine other witnesses. 

 Take for example, the witness from the Comptroller's office and the 



