Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-10-04

Trial OF Wfrz. n.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3.-The wirz Commission
reassembled to-day.
James Thurmeguer, of the Eighteenth Veteran
Reserve Corps. testified that from December lst
lo6i, to the 4th of March, 1862 he was a pris
oner at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Mr., Schade said that be was going 10 show b,
this witness that Captain Wirz received at tha
place 800 or $500 in gold from the prisoners
witness being one of them, and that they wer,
permitted to draw money from time to time, and
the balance returned them without any deduc-
ton.
The Judge Advocate supposed the counsel
proposed TO prove good reputation, but suct
defense improper one. A man may bs
honest up 20 twenty -four hours OF the time tina,
he may mediate murder. A good character car
be shown only by genera, reputation. The
oheDses charged occurred at Unreasonable, and
no prior conduct could be admitted. He repeated
that particular acts could not be offered to show
good reputation. Captain Wirz might have
committed four kind acis and ninety six cruel
ones
Mr. Schade said that the prisoner was charged
with high crimes. and therefore il was necessary
to show shat the defendant was q good man four
years ago while in charge Of prison in Tusca-
loosa
The witness then replied TO the question are
you acquainted with the character of Capt Wirz
for humanity and kindness? | know nothing
about it. not having heard any particular remarks
on the subject.
Mr. Srhade said when the prosecution closed
and the defense was about To commence the
counsel for the prisoner asked for eight DAYS in
order that they might make the requisite prepare
ons de now asked that the Court will ad-
jOuru until Tomorrow week; this was necessary
IN order TO do justice 20 the prisoner we'll AS TO
themselves. With view TO save expense, they
had discharged several witnesses whose testimony
would come under that character which had been
ruled to be irrelevant BY an adjournment the
Government would not be the loser. for they
would be able to finish the trial much sooner
The Court-We understand that you have wit
nesses in the city.
Mr.. Schade-We have.
The Court--Then go on.
Mr.. Schade-We will have 70 wait until the
witnesses come
Judge Advocate Chapman-The Court is not
responsible tor the delay of the witnesses; they
knew by experience that the preliminary exapin-
atoms OF witnesses could progress at the rate of
twenty five per day. Every adjournment of the
Court had been OF AS much benefit to the defense
a. TO the prosecution. Some of the witnesses
for the defense had been there more than "A
month, and every power which the Govern ent
possesses bad been employed to enable the de-
iendants to bring men hither De took occs-
sion to say that certain persons mentioned in the
newspapers meaning Gen Lee. Johnston, and
Others had not been subpensed, but he had
been informed that application would be made
TO bring them into Court The prosecution had
been more than usually liberal in furnishing the
counsel for the defense a copy of the daily re
cord. There being two gentlemen engaged as
counsel for the prisoner, one of them could de-
vote his time to the preliminary examination of
witnesses. while the other could be in constant
attendance in Court The record showed that
every indulgence had been granted to the coun-
sci for the prisoner, both within and outside OF
the bar.
Alter further conversation between Wirz
counsel and the Court, the Commission al
iourned until 10 o clock to- morrow morning.