New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-22
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
BID FOR NoToRIETY.
CURIOUS TESTIMONY IN REGARD TO HIS MENrs

CONDIuON-IAwYER Vi. PHYSICIAN
Another large crowd marked the appearance
Of George Francis Train. yesterday in the courtroom
Of tho Oyer and Tcrmner 1t has been remarked by one
OF those who look and laugh that perhaps the best
evidence % insanity would be the list of witnesses sub
penaed by Train which Includes the names OF MARK
Twain" Messrs Fisk & Hatch, Moses Wheelock, Presi
dent of The stock Exchange; Geo. T. Small Theodore
Tusch. Justice Bowling. Warden John NJ. Tracey, and
Commissioner John J. Davenport. These gentlemen,
mortas outside Of the little circle occupied by Train
and his counsel seem have little nothing to with
the case hut they VIII certainly add not little the
notorcty of the proceedings, fondncss for which is
alleged by reputable physicians 10 make up the sub
stance of Mr.. Trains alteration. At any rate great
deal OF Fun is anticipated when mark Twain" mounts
the stand though many extremely doubtful about
his appearing in court
On the opening OF the yesterday Dr. Ralph Par
resumed the stand The first part of the testimony
tedious and uninterestng, as he was required to
the prominent authorities mental diseases, and
the theories OF EACH On the whole, his examination
lacked the brightness which DISTINGUISHED that OF his
colleague DIR. Hammond partly perhaps from the fact
Of its boing in measure second hand, or rather ola
DIR. Parsons not Is aggressive or genai as
his colleague, but was however exceedingly careful In
his answers and was sensible enough to give himself
time tO answer quietly the inquiries Of his inteocutor
Gen Chatfed, who he remembers rather merciless
as we'll extravagant in his handling of Dr. Cross on
Tuesday last
Gen Chataeld examined Dr. Parsons critically on the
question Of the time required to determine mans men
tai sOundness The witness said that minutes
sufficient in some cases. while others might require two
months After that the General very deep into the
subject Of diseases Of the brain and changes Of organza
ton where such diseases had existed. The examination
this point became very abstract and unnteretng
and apparently inapphcable to call out from Judge
DAILY demand for the bearings. Gen. Chatfeld, a
rather chOeric man, burst out I you don't wish
me 10 go on will retire." and he actually moved
backward as though he really meant it. Judge
DAILY remarked that it ut for lecture
rather than judicial investigation, and again
demanded what he trying to get at Gen. Chatied
said he dsliked 10 let tho witness know what he was
aiming at This brought up Mr.. Lyon the Assistant
DistrctAtOrney, with the remark that he thought DR..
Parsons ought 10 be treated candid gentleman es-
peciay he selected by the counsel for the de-
Tense to examine Train. so a little deprecatory talk
followed until at last the General said II perhaps
as well state my reason; DR.. Hammond" Here Judge
DAILY interrupted "Never mind need not il you de
sire TO keep your purpose from the witness" Gen.
Chatfeld went on leaving this interesting question still
mystery.
little later the examination grew quite interesting
and led to amusement among the bysanders. The
witnesses demeanor which the beginning of his test
mOny cooly polite, succeeded at this juncture
by assumption of extreme suavity which frequently
accompanies a defiant mood The matter began with
the question whether Dr. Parsons when at the Tombs
Quesed private interview OF Bemis Trains secretary
The witness admitted that but he did MT admit the
next point, which was: "Dd you tell Bemis that you
would rather testify the other side, because you
would be paid for ti" This question Is understood
when it is remembered that DR.. Parsons was sent
to examine Tram by Clark Bell, Of Trains
counsel. and probably knew that there was
money in it, since Train has discaimed
all voluntary participation IN these proceedings
ha
thing that is simply matter of common justice. The
doctor said that he could not remember having made
any such He recollected saying that he always
preferred be called by tho people, as he thought any
could be unbiased. This closed that topic.
The witness questioned in regard to the line be
eccentreity and insanity, and admitted its mi
nuteness. ndistnctness, and uncertainty Of location
Trains property next brought up and his 800
I'm Omaha which, with owners latitude OF judgment,
no had put down at $3OOOO0,0O0 were discussed,
and the doctor reviewed his multiplication table TO
calculate the price Of this extraordinary plot OF
ground. Then Trains minor vagaries were brought up
and curious set of questions and the re-
suit Cen Chatfeld leading the witness away off into
m different ages and fields OF history, including the
dicatOrs OF Rome and showing what lowly positions
some Of them sprang FROM and also how different cond
Of public sentiment had led to different forms OF
political power OF course the application came in on |
question Trains aspirations for and pfophesies of
the Dictatorship Of this country. Invariably, Gen. |
Chated ended his references TO Trains declarations by
asking blunty "wcN. do you know that IT is not
true a. This OF the witness did not know for as
the Dictatorship he confessed his inability To predict
The future OF this country With more assurance than
Train himself
One of the last and most important questions Of the
iay was put Ivy Judge DAILY, and led 10 long and
rather sharp discussion, in which 1t insisted that
the Court had repudiaed its former decision in an
insanity case. The question whether at the time
the act charged in the indictment publishing obscene
literature) was committed, Train could distinguish
between right and wrong. There was much talk IN
explanation of the present inquiry the defense claiming
that IL not determine whether Train was respon-
sbe when he committed the act but whether his men
tai condition such as 10 enable him TO prepare
properly defense to the ndictment-an explanation
which Judge DAILY tried TO make them under
stand he also considered correct, and that
be nut the question simply TO determine 10
connection with the other testimony what Trains
condition at that time; 1t finally resulted in the usual
exception and demand by the judge for an answer
DR. Parsons made preliminary explanation before be
Ventured on a reply, and cited instances, partly hypo-
thetca and partly what had occurred in his expert
eDce Then he replied that he believed Train did I'M
dersand the distinction between right aud wrong but
at time Trains view OF right and wrong was so
modified not TO be the view OF night and wrong that
sound mind has" After further questions the Court ad
iOurned until to-day at p. m.