Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-08-29

The SURRATT TRIAL.-The following
particulars in reference to the delibera-
tions Of the Surratt jury, as given by
one of the members OF the jury, contain
some interesting facts not generally
known, and may assist in giving 3
clearer understanding OF the difficulties
in the way o. trying this notorious
criminal. After the jury were conducted
to their chamber q proposition was
made by one OF their number to take i
secret vote, in order that it might be
seen how they stood towards verdict.
The views Of some o. them indicated q
. prevailing impression that such course.
ii it did not disclose unanimous vote
for acquital, would st least show so
small minority in favor of conviction
that the weight Of the majority revealed
on the first bsllo; would tend greatly To
bring speedy agreement. The vote
was taken by ballot, each writing on q
slip of paper guilty" or "not guilty >
and when published by the teller stood
eight votes no. gully TO four guilty.
Another juror proposed To discuss the
evidence awhile and then take smother
secret vote. This was opposed by the
foreman, Mr.. Wm. B. Told, who gave it
as his opinion thsc nallotting was a use
less waste OF sine, the only object Of
which could DC 70 keep from each how
the other voted. IF they were to argue
the question, me views OF each Juror
expressed in the discussion would plainly
Indicate the way in which he voted, and
for his part n mad no hesitation in
saying that MS vQJe was for guilty. The
foreman was .Oilowed by two other
Jurors, who announced themselves con.
WINGED of the prisoners guilt, after
which came general expression of
opinion, Finding that each side seemed
unalterable in ,heir convictions, gen
eral aud vigorous discussion of the evi.
dence ensued, which had the apparent
effect OF confirming each in his original
position. Discussions, earnest and end
less, continued from day to day between
some two or more 0! them, while the
rest, acting like men whose minds were
lmmovably fixed, sought for relief from
the monotony O: their confinement. in
spinning yarns, singing hymns and
songs and gazing ONT OF the windows 1t
was finally decided that the foreman
should report tba. j; was impossible to
agree, and the report was so made
Darlng the whole time the jury were out
not vote was cnauged from one side to
the other. The jury stood eight to four
on The hrst ballot, and they stood pre-
cisely the same when brought into court,
all Statements 70 toe contrary notwith-
standing Ia the discussion that occur
RED those jurors VINO favored the
acq ulttal of Surratt seemed to cling to
Ihe aIIol as having ueen clearly proven,
ana the evidence which had the most
"eiSht with them was that given ny
INC 'HEee Storeaeepers at Elmrd, who
Iestitte'i that they saw Surrait in their
store ST.; some lime between the 18th an
10Th d April, 1855. They admitted that
the prisoner was guilty of participation
IN the conspiracy, but did not believe he
was psesent in Washington on the day
OF the assassination. The testimony
that exercised the greatest influence on
the minds of those jurors who voted for
CONVICTION was that given by Susan
jackson, the colored serVant Of Mrs.
Surratts house, who swore that she saw
the prisoner sitting in the basement on
the l4th Of April, when Mrs Surrstt
said, " This is my son J,.nn; e,o vou
think ae looks anything AK. Anua q