Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-05-09
THE COMING TRIAL OF THE CON.
SPIRATORS.

Preparations Nearly Complete-The Man.
ner of their Confine NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
OF the Court Room-Preceedinss not to be
Published.
dispatches to Philadelphia Inquirer
WASHINGTON, May s.-Charges and speci.
fcations against the leading conspirators have
been finally preferred, and the testimony pretty
well arranged. The trial was to have opened
this morning, but on the court partially as
sembling 1t was found that another day or two
were needed to complete some Of the arrange
ments OF the Judge ADJ ocate.
The trials are to be in the penitentiary
building, at the Arsenal, where the criminals
are now confined In chains, and in separate
cells.
A large room in the second story has been
ntted up for the court room. tits 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
room has 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
thing is to be seen save the hastily constr ucted
pine furniture needed by the court
Judge Advocate Holt will preside at the
court, which will be arranged around a long
table upon the north side Of the room Parallel
to it will be the tables for the Official reporters
VINO will be sworn, and reduce the testimony
each day to writing. Next to the photographers
is table for the benefit Of counsel should anv
appear 1t Is not known that any have been
engaged, although there is rumor that sew.
eral eminent Democratic politicians have re-.
fused TO serve.
Judge Holt will be aided by Judge Bingham.
OF Ohio, and Judge Burnett, both skiIlfui
lawyers.
1t said that the Secretary of War is thor
oughIy Conyersant with the whole testimony
and that the cases have been prepared under
his eagle eye.
Major General Hartsuff has command of the
jail and its surroundings, and his dispositions
I m Ia far
mob to succeed.
His forces are encamped just outside the
outer walls, while thick cordons of sen tries
surround the red brick building which con :,
lines the WTetched criminals, VINO, in chains,
with muf1ers over their heads, are already
UNDERGOING living death. They are not al
lowed any communication with the outside
world, and the guards who feed them are
not allowed to converse with them upon any
pretense.
head, except the mouth, are put on to prevent
them from committing suicide. A sentinel
over each one attends them day and night
All are very much detected, and fear that at
any moment they may be executed by the
people.
1t is most likely that three OF Ford's theatre
will haze to die it pretty
execution Of this dreadful murder. Ford, the
proprietor, is still in the Old Capitol, but, SO
far as / can learn, is not mplica ted.
The theater is still under guard by the mill.
tary. No one can enter except by q permit of
the Secretary of War. 1t remains lust as 1t
was the night Of the assassin alton.
No newspaper reporters will be admitted, nor
will the testimony and progress Of the trial be
made public.
Quarters and accommodations for the en.ire
court and reporters5are prepared at the Jail,
and they will probably remain there during the
trials,
BY Wednesday morning the machinery will
be all in motion, and the cases be pushed rapid
ly on.
Payne, the assassin of Seward, will proba
ply be the first tried He is a regular contract
villain, and was hired in Canada, and sent
here to do his woIk Of biosd for q stipuIated
price.