The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-08-20

HOMAS II. bOWDEN BEFORE THE GOLICE
CoURT-HE IS HELD FOR EXAMINATION AND
BAIL REPUsED.-The arrest of Thomas +.
Bowden by Detective O'Dwyer was chroni-
been indicted by the grand jury for COM
plicity in what is known as the Haunstein
forgery case, and being in South Carolina a
requisitiOn had been placed in the hands of
an officer for his eXtradition from that State
as fugitive from justice. He was arrest
ed, however, OH the cars, having just ar
rived in Richmond.
MIR. Bowden appeared before the Police
Court Uustice White) yesterday with eX-
Governor Henry A. Wise and A. Noise,
Jr., as his counsel.
Governor Wise said that after reflection
and further examination of the indictment
against Mr.. Bowden he had concluded, in
stead of arguing the question of bail, to
ask for his immediate discharge on the
ground that the arrest had been improperly
made, and the accused was not now pro-
perly before bis -HI4aonYQr. In the reluisition
issued by the Governor of Virginia upon
the Governor of South Carolina, Bowden
had been described as felon. This was
incorrect and untrue. He had not even
been indicted for felony. The offence
with which he was charged could not be
called, and the prosecuting attorney had
not Ventured to call it, any more than 4
misdemeanor. He had not been arrested
under either capids or a bench warrant,
or by virtue of this indictment, but under 4
mere authority given William F. Knox to
take him from any officer of the State of
South Carolina as Il fugitive from justice.
lie had been arrested, not in South Caroli-
ma, but here where the indictment was
framed, having returned to the city the
very moment he heard such charge had
been made. 1t happened in this wise Mr..
BOWden, he was free to say had left
Richmond because he had reason 10 know
that he was believed to be witness against
not only personal friends. but those bound
to him by near ties Of consanguinity. The
instant, however, he heard through 4 pre-
mature announcement in a newspaper that
an Indictment had been found against him,
he hurried here to surrender himself, and
before getting off the cars was arrested. He
didn't wish to testify, but now that charges
had been made against him he courted pro-
secutlOn.
MIR. B0wden here interrupting, said he
wished the whole world to know that he
pleaded no statute of limitations or any
technicality.
Governor Wise, resuming, made state
ment to the same effect. Mr.. BoWden
would on trial plead "not guilty." and had
instructed his counsel not to take advantage
of any technicality. He did claim, how
ever, that he had been improperly arrested
on political, not q judicial paper, and that
that paper contained q misstatement Of the
allegations Of the indictment. The speaker
also wished to say that he knew that the
Commonwealth did not intend to prosecute
MIR. Bowden, but that it was mere device
n hold nf nc with
After an elaboration Of the points above
sketched by Governor Wise, the Justice
announced his decision to be that Mr.. Bow
den had been properly arrested and was
properly before him. This being the case,
he could only therefore hear the evidence,
and then either discharge the prisoner OF
hold him to answer Indictment. The ease
was now before the Police Court as if il
had been before no other tribunal, and he
would fix some day agreeable to counsel
for an examination.
Governor Wise then raised the question
Of bail.
The Justice said that, under the circum
stances, the prisoner could not be allowed
bail. He would, however, not commit hin
to Jail, but allow him to remain in charge
of the officers at police headquarters unit
noon to-day, when the case viii be heard ii
chambers.
Justice White also took occasion to refer
to the statement of Governor Wise that the
Indictment of Bowden was device of the
grand jury to obtain his attendance as 9
witness. If it could be established by eyi.
dence that such was the case, he would moi
hesitate to destroy the Indictment now be.
fore him. "
Governor Wise: / believe it to be the
case. ... -..-..e.s
During these proceedings Deputy Ser
geant August entered the courtroom and
served on Mr.. BoWden subpoena to appear
rs q witness for the Commonwealth in the
Chahoon case.