Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-20
LOCAL NEWS.
The Case of CONTEMPT.

/ III tlICull oOuTt lnlS morning. AFTER j Judge
| Ohn had instructed the jury in the Brown Wi.
| ley case, Mr.. Bradley read the following an
| swer 10 the rule served upon HIM during the
| trial 10 show cause why he should not be pun
| To the Honorable tie Supreme Court Of The Dis.
| tTTct Of Columbia Il have been served with a
| rule TO show cause why 1 should not be pun.
| isheo as Tor contempt OF Court, for language
| used TO the Court charging that the presiding
| Judge was liar. and most respectfully pro-
c'ed TO respond TO what L understand TO be the
| substance OF that rule. On Thursday last
| controversy arose in Court between the
| presiding Judge and myself out of what I
| thought was An inference by him prejudicial
| TO my rights and duties counsel in sum-
| ming mp 10 the Jury the case then pending
| The discussion was heated and excited and \
| may not recollect the precise language 1 used
| or the precise order and succession of the
| incidents. i am not conscious OF having in
| the course of that discussion used a word or
| expression importing question of the perfect
integrity, veracity, or impartiality of the pre-
| siding Judge, and am positive that did not
knowingly or Intentionally offer TO him an
insult or indigniIy. 1fmy manner, which was
| greatly excited. in asserting what believed to
be my rights, or Of any language l used was or
could be construed as importing either an in
dignity or Insult TO the Court, as throwing
any lmputaton upon, or shadow of impeach-
ment of the integrity or impartiality TO the
presiding Judge i deeply regret il, disayow
any such intention, and retract it.
That controversy was closed by the Judge
addressing to me, IN a manner calculated most
deeply 10 wound my honor and my sensibility.
these words: You have stated what Won
know to be untrue" i instantly replied s'You
are liar II WIS as if q blow had been aimed
AZ me, which j returned.
This is the offense, and the only offense eli ven,
or meant or intended to be given by me, and for
which, as l understand, am called to answer
For nearly forty years have been a member
OF the bar of this District, during which time |
have ever endcavored to cultivate that mutual
respect and good will between the bench and
bar which is conducive 10 the ends of Justice
i COnfldfnt!E aDneal TO the members of
Court TO confirm this since they entered upon
their office.
IT, at times, in the heat of forensic discussion
! have departed from this rule, have always
felt deep modification and regret, and have
been prompt to atone and apologize for it. In
"a against the dignity of a court of justice the
decorum fitting such place, and the severe
majesty of law. For this desire, in this pro-
ceeGing, 10 record my apology, my sincere
regret, and retraction of anything offensive
TO the Court which may have fallen from me
in the heat OF discussion.
Eut cannot admit beyond this that am in
any wise censurable for retorting an imputa-
iiOn on my yeracity. made FOR the first time.
L believe, IN life Of more Than three score
years.
On Mr.. Bradley concluding the Court said
that he supposed il was his province TO be the
sole Judge of what trahspired in his own pres
ence, directed towards his own person, whilst
presiding over 4 court, and as to the propriety
Of the same. In this connection, therefore, he
would request the Clerk to read a statement
puDilsntU \ Uay or TWO AFTER In q CITY paper.
which he regarded as correct except IN one
slight particular, ard that point he had cor
rected.
Mr. Bradley stated thar he desired to say be-
lore such statement was made, that he had pur-
posely avoided mentioning in his answer any
OF the incidents of that scene. Though labor
ing under great excitement the time, he
thought he recollected with great distiuctness
all that occurred: and yet. Knowing the fact
that he was greatly excited, he felt unwilling
10 place his impression of what exactly did
q ma lu ha
mistaken in some particulars, and especially as
he intended retractlng to the fullest extent any,
thing which might be looked upon as rejecting
upon the character and integrity of the presi-
ding Judge. He himself had a statement of
what occurred on the occasion in question,
prepared, not by himself. but with his assist
ance, and under his direction, and which was
corroborated by several gentlemen who were
then present, which he said he would like to
have read after the clerk had read the one re-
ferred to by the Court.
The Court remarked TO Mr.. Bradley that he
(Mr. b was at liberty 10 make any statement
which he saw proper, either under the obliga-
lions of an oath or otherwise.
MIR. Bradley.-All state, if the Court please,
L state as if were under oath. 1t would make
no sort Of difference whether l was or not
sworn as TO the truth of anything i might say.
The Court do not believe il would. Mr.
Bradley.
The Court said he would repeat that he (Mr
Bradley might make any statement, but
he did not propose to investigate this question
by the mouths of witnesses who stood by, and
CLAIMED to have seen and heard what ne MINI
self had witnessed. He must be responsible
for the course he pursued i'm reference to what
he understood and witnessed. The Court
would indeed be in a pitiable condition If it
could not restrain insults and indignities unless
IL could prove it by the mouths Of bystanders
The Clerk read the statements referred to,
after which Mr.. Bradley proceeded to state his
version of the affair.
The Court reserved its decision until to.
morrow morning
ARREST OF PASSAGE THIEvEs-Some DAVIS
ago the passage Of the residence Of Mr.. j. S
Delano, or X, between 18th and 18th streets.
was entered and robbed of a fine coat; and the
hall of Mr.. w. l.. Cobb, on sth, near ID street.
was also entered and robbed of an efiicer's coat
valued at $50. Detectives Clarvoe and McDe-
witt set their wires to catch the thief, and YES.
terday they succeeded in arresting Joe Lacey
coiured, for the larcenes. The two coats were
recovered, and also two ladies' coats and two
gents oyercoats, which have not been claimed
Superintendent Richards detained Lacey for
further hearing.
About the same time the residence Of Secre-
tary Weiles, on street, near Lafayette SQUARE
was entered, and four valuable coats Were sto-
len. The same energetic detectives were di-
rected by the Superintendent to investigate
this case, and Yesterday they arrested George