The Nevada Democrat., 1859-08-03
Lnthnn,,s Defense.

A grand Administration gathering was held
in this place on Monday evening. Some six or
seven hundred persons we're present, consid-
erable portion of whom came from San Fran
cisco, Sacramento. and other places at dis
tance. 1t was generally understood that La
than was to take this occasion to defend him.
self from the various charges which have been
made against him during the canvass, and spe-
cial efforts were made to get up a formidable
demonstration. The meeting was called to or
der little after eight o'clock, and Mr.. Latham
took the stand and proceeded to give long
relied on the recently published card Of Mr..
Tilford, and another statement from the same
gentleman written over two years ago, to ex-
culpate himself Of the charge Of having at
tempted to surreptitiously obtain the letter
from Tilf0rd's room, and also read letter from
Mr.. Lent, in which the latter gentleman stated
that Latham had not promised him bis infu-
ence for the Collectorship. Latham also stated
that in case John Conness should hereafter
state that he (Latham) had promised to use his
influence to procure for Conness the Office OF
Collector, that he would state an unmitigated
falsehood. He seemed to anticipate that Con-
ness would make such staterent Among
other documents read by Latham was paper
purporting to have been written by Gen. Estell
giving full history of the Senatorial election
w Hicks Graham attested tha. this document
was genuine. We shall have to have some bet
ter authority than the assertion of Graham, be-
fore we can believe that that paper was written
by Estell. Graham made statement in this
place on Monday, which eonvinces us that but
little reliance can be placed on his word. Mr.
Tilford also had something to say in favor oi
Latham, but he stated nothing new. and did
not even attempt to explain the Inconsistency
which has already been pointed out in his pub
Iished card.
Mr.. Latham's defense on the charge of hav-
ing attempted to bribe the Supreme Court. was
evidently prepared with great care and eau
ton. but in our opinion he left gaps through
which six horsemen can ride abreast. o: this
however, we shall be able to judge better after
seeing the documents in print. He read letters
from some of the gentlemen referred to al
knowing to the facts, and from others whose
names have not been mentioned in connection
with the matter, to prove his innocence. The
letter of Judge Heydenfeldt stated in substance
that Judge Murray had made the charge
against Latham, and there was talk Of having
him expelled from the bar, but that subsequent
ly Judge Murray had become satisfied that the
charges could not be made out, and the matter
was dropped. A letter was read from Mr.. Nc
Connell, who stated that the Supreme Court
had not instructed him to commence suit against
Latham for the alleged bribery He referred,
of course. to the Supreme Court 10 its official
capacity, but he said nothing as to what nfor-
nation he had received from the individual
members of the Court We are Informed that
Mr.. Mcconnell has stated in this place. that he
was requested by Judge Murray to commence
proceedings against Latham and two others. on
the alleged bribery charge. Latham accounted
for his not appearing as an attorney before the
Supreme Court, during the latter part of Judge
Murray's lifetime, on tie ground that be bad
abandoned the practice of his profession, sold
his library, &c. A Photographic report Of the
speech was taken down by the reporters of the
Union, and the whole matter will doubtless be
sifted to the bottom.