The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-10
FROM WASHINGTON This AFTERNOON.
SPECIAL DESPATCH TO EVENING TELEeRAPH.l
THE Surratt Trial.

WASHINGTON, June 10.-The surratt trial
was and is to-day the all-absorbing topic of con-
versation, and quite a crowd had assembled In
and about the Criminal Courtroom, long before
the hour announced for the opening OF the
court, 10 o'clock Speculations were rife as
to whether or not the trial would take place
Many who were not disposed TO endure the in
Sred TO aGetfv tber smrosv Sd by SEEING the
prisoner. gathered about the City Hall steps
and in Judiciary Square. and patiently awaited
brought from Jail. The excitement relative
to the case is much greater now than It was
on the 9th Of May, when the case was first set
for trial, and in anticipation of the presence Of
large crowd, ample arrangements had been
MAGE IN thS ya On ioT Ine
upon the privileges of such persons as were en-
titled to admission within the bar, the system
TO prevent confusion.
At $50 A. NJ. Judge Fisher entered the court
room, and took seat upon the bench. The
court was formally opened at 10 o'clock.
The attorneys for the defense, and Mr.. Merrick
and the Messrs. Bradley, being present, the Dis
trict Attorney and Mr. Pierpont, counsel for the
prosecution, having subsequently entered the
room, the jurors were called, and all excepting
four answered to their names,
AT halfpast 10 o'clock the prisoner was
brought into Court by Marshal Goodwin. The
prisoner was handcuffed. He appears as he did
the other day, with clean shaven face, except
ing moustache and goatee, and wears his hair
long and hanging about his neck. He was
few moments The handouts were removed, and
he was assigned seat beside his counsel
AaOO 10 NOiy palCg anu no WSdIS a
careworn, troubled look, but family smiled oc-
casionally as he receives nod of recognition
from his friends. After sitting in the court
room for some time he engaged in lively con-
vel sation with his counsel, Mr.. Merrick, and
was evidentally much amused at what was
said as he laughed heartily
By IL o'clock the courtroom was literally
crowded, and every seat within the bar was
occupied Among the visitors were large num-
bers of CO ored men.
After all the prelminaries had been arranged,
Judge Tippen asked ii counsel were ready to
proceed with the trial OF John II. Surratt.
Mr.. Bradley-The prisoner is ready, and has
been so for weeks.
Distrlct-Attorney Darlington said he was
happy to proceed with the trial of John II. Sur
ratt, charged with the murder of the late Pcesi-
dent of the United States, Abraham Lincoln,
on the 14th of April, 1865
Before proceeding to impanel Jury, how
ever, the prosecution desired to submit the fol-
lowing motioD:-
In the Supreme Court of the District of CO.
lumbia-UDlted States VS.. John HI. Surratt: in
dicIment, murder"
And now, at this day. to w.t. on the 10th day
of June, A. ID. 1867, come the nited States and
the said John II. Surratt, by their respective
attorneys, and the jurors empannelled and sum-
mOned also come, and thereupOn the said
United States, by their attorney, challenge
the array of the said panel because he saith the
said jurors composing the said panel were not
drawn according to law, and that the names
from which the said Jurors were drawn were
not selected according to law, wherefore he
prays judgment, and that the said panel may
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