Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-05-12
ARIAL OF TIE CONSPIRATORS.
THE PREPARATION NEARLY COMPLETE.
PR0CEEDIN GS NOT TO BE PUBLISHED

A special despatch to the Philadelphia
Inquirer, dated Washington, Sth inst, says :;
Charges and specifications against the
leading conspirators have been finally pre-
feIred, and the testimony pretty well ar
ranged. The trial was to have opened this
morning, but on the Court partially assem-
bling it was found that another day or two
were needed to complete some Of the arrange
ments of the Judge Advocate.
The trials are to be in the Penitentiary
building at the Arsenal, where the crim-
nails are now confined in chains, and IN sep
arate cells.
A large room in the second story has been
fitted up for the court room. 1t is large
enough TO hold three hundred persons, and
is in the northeast corner Of the building,
and has four windows covered with grated
iron bars. The roc m has high ceiling, and
except the tables, chairs and mating upon
the floor, and half dozen benches, is per-
fectly 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 need
ed by the court.
Judge Advocate Holt will preside at the
Court, which will be arranged around long
table upon the north side of tho room.-
Parallel 10 il will be the tables for the Off
| cial reporters, who will be sworn, and re-
duce the testimony each day 10 writing
Next to the photographers is a table for the
benefit OF counsel, should any appear. 1t is
not known that any have been engaged, al
though there is a rumOr that several emf
nept Democratic politicians have refused to
serve.
Judge Holt will be aided by Judge Bing-
ham, OF Ohio, and Judge Burnett, both skill
| full lawyers.
1t is said that the Secretary of War is
thoroughly conversant with the whole testi-
monv. aud that the cases have been prepared
! under his eagle eye.
Mai. Gen. Hartsuif has command of the
iail and its surroundings, and his DISPOSE
lions are such that it would be impossible
for any attempt TO get possession Of the
prisoners by mob to succeed.
His forces are encamped just outside the
outer walls, while thick cordons of sentries
surround the red brick building which con-
fines the wretched criminals, who, in chains,
| with lauffiers over their heads, are already
undergoing n living death. They are not al
loyed any communication with the outside
| world, and the guards who feed them are
not allowed TO converse with them upon any
pretence. .
The padded masks covering their entire
| head, except the mouth, are put on to pre-
vent them from committing suicide. A sem
tinel over each one attends to them day and
night. All are very much detected, and
fear that at any moment they may be exc
cuted by the people.
Ii is most likely that three of FOrd's thea
tie employees will have to die, as it seems
| pretty clear that they aided Booth material
| iv in the execution of his dreadful murder.
Ford, the proprietor, is still in the Old
CaDitol. but, so far as l can learn, is not
implicated.
The theatre is still under guard by the
military. No one can enter except by 4
hermit of the Secretary Of War. II re-
mains Just as it was the night OF the assassi-
nation.
No Newspaper reporters will be admitted,
nor will the testimony and progress of the
trial be made public.
| Quarters and accommodations for the en-
tire court and reporters are prepared at the
Jail, and they will PROBABLY remain there du-
ring the trials.
BY Wednesday morning the machinery
will be all in motion, and the cases be push
ed rapidly on. $3.50
Payne, the assassin Of Seward, will prob
ably be the first tried. he is regular con-
| tract villain, and was hired in Canada, and
sent here to do his work of blood for stipu-
| lated price. -...t..-.
| When the whole histo y of this tragedy