Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-26
ED WARD S. STOKES.

1t is well known that the trial OF Stokes has
been postponed, when to be called up nobody
knows. This was the point which his counsel
labored to gain. A New York correspondent
of the Boston Globe writes as follows under
date of March 22d:
Twenty days ago, Judge Cardozo decided in
the Court of Oyer and Terminer, that the
indictment found by the grand jury against
Edward S. Stokes, for the murder of James
Fisk, Jr., was in accordance with law and
| should stand. AT the same time he granted a
| stay of proceedings to allow the defense to
prepare a bill of exceptions, on which the de-
cision might be reviewed, and allowed twenty
days for its preparation. The time having ex-
pired to-day, the district Attorney, with his
associate ex-Judge Beach, the counse for the
prisoner, and the usual crowd that makee such
a vigorous effort on all occasions to see the
criminal lion of the hour, came into court
Judge Cardozo took his seat on the bench,
and ordered the proceedings to commence.
The District Attorney stated that it was only
on the previous night he had received the bill
of exceptions; that it was so voluminous be-
ing over 500 pages of legal cap as to render
its perusal impossible between the hour he re-
ceived it and the opening of court, and he was,
in consequence, unable to decide upon its
merits. Counsel for the prisoner then moved
that the order originally granted, staying pro.
ceedings, should be extended to such time as
the bill of exceptions could be settled. The
District Attorney said he would consent to no
stay of proceedings. The opposite counsel
rejoined that he would be obliged to. The
District Attorney replied that he could bring
the prisoner into court then, and oblige him
to plead. His opponent answered that he had
better not, as, if he did, he should be beset
| with such fatal objections from the very out
set as would cause him to regret the act.
Judge Cardozo, seeing the turn matters were
taking, interfered just in time to prevent open
hostilities, and, after mildly reproying the
bellicose gentlemen, said that he would allow
the order staying proceedings in the case, to
stand until the bill of exceptions was settled.
This ended the days proceedings, the defence
gaining another stretch of the time they so
so much desire. When the court room doors
| were opened TO allow the lawyers to pass out,
the corridor was jammed by crowd of curl
osity seekers, who swarmed round to catch
glimpse of Stokes, who, they thought must
be in court, as his case was there. That gen
| tleman, however, was no nearer than the
Tombs prison, where, according to oft-repeat-
ed reports, he is enjoying the jolliest time
ever passed in that gloomy region. 1t is
stated by one of the prison officers that he
applied yesterday for more spacious quarters
than the neatly-carpeted and tastefully- fur
nished cell in which he at present resides
Finding the application denied, he suggested
that door be made into an adjoining cell
which is unoccupied, that he might be able to
use it as a reception room. This illustrates
the feeling and the manner exhibited by the
distinguished assassin, almost as faithfully as
his statement that he intends to pass next win
ter in Paris, although he acknowledges that
his trial shall hardly have concluded before
that time. He dresses i'm the most elegant
manner, receives his friends with the air of an
Emperor, and seemingly takes as much inter
est in the fashions and frivolities of outside
life as when he and his dead rival contended
for the heart of Josie Mansfield Up to two
weeks ago he was allowed to promenade the
prison corridors with two attendants, when
ever he wished, while the other prisoners
were locked up, three in cell, lest they might
intrude upon his honor. The filthy and over
crowded condition of the prison excited fears
of epidemic, and induced the Commissioners
of Charities and Corrections to give instruc-
tons that Mr.. Stokes should take his open
air recreation with the other prisoners, or not
at all. Stokes Immediately declined to asso-
ciate with meaner criminals, and has remained
shut up in his cell since then. He has full
half dozen of the most prominent criminal
lawyers in the city engaged for counsel, and
each OF these expresses the most unqualified
oeiei IN the mans immediate acquittal upon
triai' Beyond those gentlemen and the pris- |
oher himself every one regards his assassina- |
ton of his old friend Fisk as a murder in
the hrst degree, without one extenuating air
cumstance, and they cannot see how a ;urv
could possibly regard it otherwise. Time.
| however, will tell.