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and very probably he did not know what he was taking. I doubt very much if there is anyone except the parties concerned who can say. "I know such a man gave so and
so a bribe." Then what public are we to fall back on?
out who said this, and then we might trace it to its source. over the outside public that we have over you.
We can simply try to find
We have not even the hold
The CHAIRMAN.--You see your position is really this: as one of the signatories to that Memorial you come to the Government and complain. You say, "People are saying things about me. People are saying I am guilty of corruption," that, is, as one of the department, "I demand an inquiry into these charges," whereupon the Governor issues a Commission of Inquiry. They call upon you, and you say, "People do say guilty of corruption. I know the names. If you had the names you might challenge them and their means of knowing, but I won't give you the names."
I am
A.-I should first like to communicate with these people. And with their per- mission I have no objection.
The CHAIRMAN.-That is fair and reasonable.
Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.—At all events you shut their mouths for the future.
Hon. A. LISTER.—You might give them their choice, whether to come and say it themselves or for you to repeat it.
The CHAIRMAN.—Anything you like, only we want to get at the source of these
assertions.
Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-Entirely confidential, and of it be merely to communicate their suspicious, it won't go any further than the commission.
A.-Then with their permission I have no objection.
The CHAIRMAN.-Then you might put it to them that there is the difficulty.
Hon. A. LISTER.-Every one seems to think some one will come forward and say something, that is, every one expects some one to do what he will not do himself.
Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-Have you ever had occasion any time in the course of your service to call to account any of your Officers for having failed to report that which it was perfectly obvious they ought to report?
A.-No wilful neglect.
Q.-Nor the Chinese?
A.-The Chinese District Watchmen I am not quite so clear about.
Mr. E. ROSE is examined,-
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.-What are you?
A.-Overseer of Water-works.