New-York tribune., 1867-04-19
TIE SURRATT TRIAL.

THE CAsR BFPORB TTIE CRIMINAL CCURT-CoUNSiL FOR
DEPENSR ASK TIE COURT TO PIX DAY FOk fhIAL
1HsGhsrH TO sHE TnEuSE
WASHINGTON, April IS, 1867.
TODAY in the Criminal Court, Judge Fisher, pre-
dtng Mr. Il r. Merrck moved the Court to fix day Tor
dc trial John suratt and suggested the 9TH OF May
s Merrok reoed the circumstances of surats arrest
,nAIexandra Egypt, his transportation TO this country,
tke time which had elapsed since the indictment ana
urged speedy trial order that the prisoner hSu' w
discharged or guilty, suffer the penalty Of The law
The District Attorney stated that the prisoner had pe'
s;,ted yth an the Kindness consistent with the ony o
a generals Government anxious only to Vmdle"'o 'n'
MAJESTY of the law lie did not think Eo would be ey
f trial In two weeks and suggested the seeoho "d9 :"
On June term, that Is The 18th day OF june neat
Mr Bradley SEN said the defense had made efforts 10
Ne ready a speedy trial lie proposed eighteen u"ys
from to-day which would give t"e to secure Witnesses
from foreign countries aud remote sections 4" the Cted
MATES The Indictment was fond the 4th " Feb
Snary 1867, and there reason why tho District
Attorney sboud not have been ready Immediately amer
tho Indictment Mr. Bradley urged the limited means oi
prisoner and e Inconvenience 10 which the defense
SyGud necessarily DC subjected 10y COnulAialWc hc
TIC Court said the motion Of tho District Attorney
INC D,strct AtIorcy agreed tat WAS hs duty in this
sase other cases of murder, 70 secure az c WI
acsSos Important 90 the c'ae and II mSm lot he COZ"
Venicnt ia have thcm IN two weeks .,,, ,
The COtor'iiow will olr weeks rom ln'ie 20 i"P
Nj Mcrr5ck said il was not for the driemsc 70 come
INTO Cont ready Ur trial II was The duiy ot thc Govern
ernInent to be ready aAd give The accused speedy ta
We come COuyt 0id complain Of the delay itSndhg
fhis ease From the time of indictment. submit mat
Che District Attorney had ample Ge to prepare iO S
case. - ,.,, ,
MIR Melrick cuncnded that the Government was hohnu
10 give reason Tor continuance. lie asked lhtlt we
any material witnesses IN this case ln foreign co'u'l P"
a. be obtained He named the witnesses IN ths ease a
arr ued that they ~ reach oi the Court lie WouI
IL there witnesses uscUNclt "i''
su6nitted To- thv Court IT, under these ctuhSUH''fS
there was any reason for continuance ot thls case l.
the District Attorney, with all the facil1ltS oI INC 20"
rbnent could not Ot ready in 10 days ne never "ou -"
READY , -. o,,.;.i,,,s .
RysiFhat IL k the privilege of the prosecuting oINctI ="
the trial Of The case. ana the ttiii mas Tue
prerogative dscharsinc tc prisoner on MS own IIc
6izance he find the prosecuting oficer mas audNcu %
pYVilece and he would now move The clerk encr upon
fhe docket the 18th 18th daN ot Juue as le Gay lV
trial SecORdIf wrong in this opinion, alihohgh u
was the opinion Of jddge Crawford, upon the statement
of the sworn officer Of the Government that ne cannot
tK a day for the trial upon that statement Nou VIII con
fnue the because the privilege Of speedy t i ~
be understood in a qualified sense. IhUd-I nave NOT
been remiss in preparation Of the case. ana am l"t
ponfined witnesses the Indictment ana am hold 10
have every witness knowing sugb of this case to TESTIFY
2n open court. .. -,, -. . L.. s.,
Tile judge said ne did think he could set day ~
Ihe Jane icIni wuUd preside at tiat ttIl II
be should grant The motion. u would I've Tor continuance
Ae sboud tako The subject into consideration