The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-05-12

Arrangements for Ihe Trial of the
COnspiratOrs.
fwAIhington CorrsPondenoe Of the PhIladslphia
| Euquirsr
Charges and specifications against the
leading conspirstors have been finally pre-
ferred, and the testimony pretty well ar
ranged. The trial was to have opened on
Monday morning, but on the court par
tally sssemblIng,i it was found that another
day OF two were needed to complete some
of the arrangements of the Judge Advo.
cate.
The trials arctic be in the psnitentiary
buildings at the arsenal where the Grim
| insls are now confined in chains and in
separate cells.
A large room in the second story has
been fitted up for the court room. It is
large enough to hold three hundred per-
sons, and is in the northeast corner of the
building, and has four windows covered
with grated iron bars. The room has q
high ceiling, and, except the tables, chairs
and mating upon the floor, and half a
dozen benches, is perfectly plain. The
walls are white, the whole building having
been newly renovated. No maps, pictures
or anything is to be seen save the hastily
constructed pine furniture needed by the
court.
Judge Advocate Holt will preside at the
court, which will be ranged around long
table upon the north side of the room
Parallel 10 it will be the tables for the Off
cisl reporters, who will be sword, and re-
duce the testimony each day to writing
Next to the photographers is table for
the benefit OF counsel, should sny appear.
Il is not knOWn that any have been en-
gagged, although there is rumor that saw
ersl eminent democratic politicians have
refused TO serve.
Judge Holt will be side1 by Judge Bing-
hsn, of Ohio, and Judge Burnett both
slillful lawyers.
1t is said that the Secretary of War is
thoroughly conversant with the whole tes-
timony, and that the cases have been pre-
pared under his eye.
Msiur General Hartsuff has command of
the Jail and its surroundings, and his dis.
positions are such that it would be impossi-
BILE for any attempt TO get possession of
the prisoners to succeed.
His forces are encsmped Just outside the
outer walls, while thick cOrdOns OF sentries
surround the red brick building which con-
fines the,wretched prisoners, who, in chains,
with mufhers over their heads, are already
undergoing a living death. They are not
allowed any communication with the out
side world, and the guards who feed them
are not allowed to converse with them up
on any pretense.
The padded masks covering their entire
head, except the mouth, are put on to pre-
vent them from committing suicide. A
sentinel over each one attends to them day
and night. All are very much detected,
and fear that st any moment they may be
executed by the people.
It is most likely that three Of Ford's |
theatre employees will have TO die, as it |
seems pretty clear that they aided Booth |
materially in the execution Of his dreadful |
murder. Ford, the proprietor, is still in
the Old Capitol, but as far as can learn,
is not implicated.
The theatre is still under guard by the
military. No one can enter It except by
q permit of the Secretary of War. 1t re-
mains Just IS it was the night of the sssas-
siDAtion.
No newspaper reporters will be admitted
nor will the testimony and progress Of the
trial be made public.
Quarters and accommodations for the
entire eonrt and reporters are prepared at
the jsil, and they will probably remain
there during the trials. rts
By Wednesday morning the machinery
will be all in motion, and the cases be rap
idly pushed on.
Payne, the assassin of Seward, will prob
ably be the first trie 1.