The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-05-29
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
CRIMINAL COURT.

The court met Yesterday morning at ten o'clock his
honor Judge Crawford the bench. The of John
w Wolcott OF Massachusetts, the contumacious witness,
who committed for contempt by the House OF Rep
esenatives refusing testify before the committee
appointed to investigate the affairs Of Lawrence Stone,
Co } called Hon Reverdy johnson and J. H Brad
ley ST., appeared for the defence
Mr. BRADLEY stated that the defence unable to
proceed account Of the absence of Mr. Wolcott He
should therefore make motion for continuance of the
case Heheld in his hand letter and teegraphc de-
spatch from Mr. Woleott which he would read The let
in reply to sent Mr. Wolcott by Mr. Bradley
and which was received in Boston Monday, May "a.
Mr. Bradley then read the letter which states that he did
not get Mr. BIS letter in time, being absent from the
city and when he returned he found it impossible to
leave of his engagements, and sickness in the
family Of his partner Tex Governor Gardner He hoped
the would be continued until the Eext term.
Mr. Bradley, after reading the letter said that on
receiving it in due course Of mail, he had Immediately
written Mr. Wocott but had received reply per-
hars owing some irregularty in the mails although
sufficient time had been allowed for reply TO be made
but yesterday Mr. johnson hal received the following
telegaphic despatch from Mr.. Wolcott
..Bosrox May II Hon. Reyerdy johnson Your
letter is received regret cannot be in Washington
in time shall have y get you to vindcate my in
my absence. j. w. WoLCoIr-'
Mr.. BRApIsY said, in view Of ths reasons submitted
and the afdavits which would be made to the facts he
thought the case ought to be postponed for short
time aNRt
The CoUar stated that it would not require atiidavts
but relied on the statements of counsel
Mr.. KEY wished the case to go now to trial, be-
cause there statement made by Mr.. Wolcott,
either in the letter despatch that he would he here to-
at early day He should, therefore,
sist the motion for postponement, believing that MIR.
W. had been notified properly Of the day for which his
trial set a Ft
Mr. JOHNSON stated that he hoped the case would stand
until the next term OF court He that
important to Congress and the county that the
should he settled. He a notice that motion was
be male prolonging the session of Congress
the 2lst 30th Of June Ii it passed. postponement of
this the next term OF court would bring it to trial
during the session He fully believed the
sufficient for continuance He read the despatch in sup
Mr. BnApLEY said that from the representations made
to him by Mr. Wolcott he that had he received
notice in time he would have been here aud postpone
ment would have been necessary.
The CouRr said it aware that Mr.. Wolcott alb
sent when the before postponed until to-day
Mr.. JOHNSON said. in reply to Mr.. KEY, that the tee
graphic despatch did not state that Mr. Wocott would
not be here II it was possible Mr. w. would be here
week, to which time he hoped the would be
postponed IL not they would go 10 trial without the
defendant as it WAS not case Of crime.
the Court stated, in reply, that conviction would
suit in fine and imprisonment Where imprisonment
would be result Of conviction it absolutely
sary that the defendant should be present Mr. Wocotts
appearance to trial was therefore necessary
Mr. JOHNSON said Mr.. Wolcott could certainly he here
II the postponed The testimony of the inves
tgating committee had been published this morning, and
he MIR w would it, and the necessity Of hisap-
pearng here would be apparent.
The CouRr surprised to hear that the testimony
had got in the papers, and aske how that happened
Mr.. JOHNSON BY corruption, suppose. Laughter
One OF the stated that the committee reported yes
teflay TO the House. and the testimony therefore
public.
Mr. BRADLEY My friend did not pronounce the word
right he means that it .crept in y daughter
After further brief argument on both sides,
The Court cad that this motion to postpone the
trial of John W. Wolcott who had been committed for
contempt by the House of Representatives. Mr. Wocot
not in court and his counsel statements made in
his letter and by his despa ask for postponement for
a week ten days. That is the time is it not {
Mr.. BRADLEY That is all only week
The CouRr resumed The District attorney insists
his motion that the trial be proceeded with The
defendant do not think, had any right TO complain in
this matter. And have authority to order
tinnancc for the that the law does not allow the
court to do and as the party was not present his
bail would have to be forfeited The court ordered the
crer to call Mr. John W. Wocott into court The defend
ant course not appearing, his bail accordingly
forfeited. 1t was s., 900.
the petit jury for this term was discharged
The CouRT then gave its decision in the OF the
United States the Corporation Of Georgetown indicted
nuisance by negecting to keep in repair the
upper highway leading from Georgetown to the bridge
the Potomac at the Little Falls The judg-
ent was in favor Of the United States and fine of
imposed.
The March term of the court then declared adj
journed sine de As t@ ffftH
CoxpLIxRyraRy.-The Baitimore Clipper of yesterday
morning in ulsome eulogium Of the candidate for the
mayoralty supported by the American party, says
Everybody knows Richard Walach even the child Mt
is mothers knee daily isps his name in accents Of de
light and the fond parent will bend and kris her infant
for that very name thrills her with emotions that give
Of future safety The writer afterwards pa
trioticalIy exclaims 8
II Berrpt should be elccted-f az poG,,t,nafe an
event should transportation the Capital of the United
States viii INDEED become moral ay,ret order and de
must Ne entirely annihiIaed and we may expect
reign OF terror for the ensuing two years. because his
administration will only bc continuation Of the pres
emit On the other hand should Richard walach be the
choice, tand oh God grant that he may the city will
Immediately be cleansed OF the foul stain THAT now pol
lutes her cnaxcter law and order will he Restored and
the proud Capital freed froua the present
can look up with renewed vigor because Mr. waIlach
viii change the present order OF affairs II u.s. therefore