Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-09-15

IL satisfied that ii was not owing to any lacaes,
or lcoseness, If may use q liberal expression,
on the part Of the gentlemen of the grant
jury. 1t was one of those matters that IN
fortunately have attracted considerable at
tentlon. SO many witnesses have been exam
ined before the grand jury, and so many
have, perhaps, been willing 70 state what they
themselves have testified to; that the matter has
been beyond the reach or control of the ordinary
would be insured. l will stste-submlttinz il
to the better discretion of your Honor-that
am not aware of any public interest that In my
opinion would be ptejudieed by the puoncatlo1,
there should prefer to avail themselves OF the
opportunity of making an appearance without
suhieeting themselves to what would, perhaps,
be the painful matter of arrest, know OF no
objection to that. doubt whether any of them
will use any means to put themselves beyond
the jurisdiction of the court. m AXE this remark
partly in view of the great publicity that b as
attended this matter, and by reason Of the some
what sui 5eHeris character OF the case, leaving
II, however, wholly in the discretion OF the
court.
The Court think 1t is very proper, Mr..
Riddle, that you have made the remark that
you have; and it is perhaps proper that should
state why have made the remarks and given
the directions / have. /, OF course, could not
be supposed not to have heard the rumors that
certain persons would be indicted, or had
been; that such were in existence. | know the
great anxiety that prevails, and am perfectly
willing to give to that anxiety of a community
full latitude, according to the rules of law. in
the public is interested, or is supposed to be
interested and in this day and time it IL almost
an impossibility by any rule of law TO keep
secret the proceedings of not only public but
of a privatefnature that the public ay be
interested in; and an allowance must be made
for this condition of things. do not know that
1t is any different now from what it has been
for hundreds of years, so far as obtaining infor
nation il concerned, by somebody or other GUS
side of the officers TO whom il is intrusted by
law. But theoe is this difference: that in for
tts,and naA L.. a.
but now, what is known in New York, or Wash
ingtOn, or San Francisco, or London, or Paris,
is known next morning in cities on the
opposite side of the ocean. And that is the
great difference so far as obtaining information
that ought not TO be obtained Is concerned. 1t
has always been obtained, but there have never
been the facilities for spreading such informa-
ton abroad as there are now. Hence 1t would
appear that there is a laxity that did not exist
in former time. That was the object of the rlls
originally five hundred or a thousand We lrs oil, ,
that they have cen informed of the proceed
iDgs against them. But what L want to do, Ia,
until the law maker alters the law to administer
1t. It is my duty TO do 1t. 1t is my duty not to
undertake to make law. L do not mean by
that, that constructions are to be limited and
not governed TO great extent by circumstances
where II Is not violation of principles, cannot
tell.
l will take the suggestion, however il this
instance OF the repre- Sentative OF the govern
ment. In addition TO the general attitude
which the counsel for the government occupies,
and the rules that obtain in regard to the course
suggested by the counsel for the govern
ment, the presumption law is that he has
studied the Interest OF the government. Hence
1t is that court that is TO judge between the
government and the party, cannot be prepared
10 take the case out OF the hands of the repre-
sentative Of the government, any more
than to take it out of the hands of
the defendant. He is to Judge between the
two, when the case comes up tor trial.
In this instance, that would be the general rule
as TO the action OF the regular attorney for the
United States. And * would be the rule in
regard to the action of the special attorney for
the United States, the Court having full cont
dence in his capacity, his integrity, and his
determination to act for the benefit of the gov
eminent, and in the proper discharge OF ali the
duties that devolve upon him. IL in his estima-
ton here, as he has stated there is no injury to
result or any violation of duty in any way, /
will yield to his suggestion and allow these
indictments to be published.
Dir. Riddle.-I Lave no objection. your honor,
to having the papers placed in the hands of the
clerk and having him issue his process, laav-
ing them upon the ordinary files, for within the
last few days various matters have reached me,
indicating that parties who might have sup
posed their transactions 10 have been inYes-
ugated, have endeavored to place themselves
IN position where they could come forward
and not subject the government nor themselves
TO the necessity of arrest. [ confess that has
not been without is influence upon myself.
While hope in some degree to merit the kind
remarks OF your honor, hope also to so con
duct the case as to show whatever may be
the object OF this inquiry, that there can be no
personal wish or motive to disOblfge or to with
held from them any courtesy that the public
service may permit me to extend to them. IL
was in reference to that that l have made the
statement, and know of no good to be accom-
plished by endeavoring to withhold that from
the public which the public already knows.
The Court.-Or what the public b as ruInOr il,
Mir. Riddle.-Yes, your Honor, "rumor ef'' is
perhaps the way it should be stated before a
JUDI cial tribunal.
Mr.. st .wart said lie desired to offer bail for
MichSel Hays, who is now in Jail.
MIR. HARRIEGTOS's STATEMENT.
MI. Harrington addressed the court as fol-
Of the truth Of what had heard yesterday,
that the grand jury of the District hare pre-
s%Bted me IN court to-day for cousp.-
cy' III your honor please, IN April last my
once vas entered, the safe, containing private
papers, opened, and the contents distracted.
Since then unfrendly influences have unjustly
piiloried me before the world as the author and
promoter OF scheme inconceivably wicked
and very criminal. in the presence of charges
emanating, as they did, from personal and par
tsan malice, have made no answer. During
this storm OF detraction, villifcatiOu, and
abuse, | have remained quiet, trusting that
time and the reputation which have made in
this community, almost before the eye of this
court, would ylndicate me. The ordeal was
not pleasant, but there is something which God
has planted in man, conscious OF his integrity,
upon which he may rest in the sure hope of
truths viDdication. For the FIRST time, say to
those who have been kind enough to believe in
me, that by no act of mine have l surrendered
my personal or professional manhood. or this
alleged conspiracy L am utterly ignorant. At
length these nebulous rumors and incendoes
have been crystaiized into the form OF an in
dictment, and L cannot say, il your honor
please, that on the whole that regret it, since
at last it gives me the opportunity to meet face
to face my accusers and their proof. 1 am not
unconscious OF the humiliation which every man
would feel in being made formally q party de-
PENDANT to an indictment like this, but [
think, in the presence of law and logic,
we will be able to take the core from
out this sore, which seems to have been
fostering so long upon private reputation.
am, therefore, here to submit myself to such
action as your honor may deem ht to be taken
in the premises, asking and insisting only upon
one thing which would seem due, at once to me,
TO this court, and to this people, viz: that your
honor will order the earliest day for trial that is
practicable, considering the business of the
court. And moments reflection, if your honor
please, would seem almost to dictate that the
ordinary course Of the business OF the court
should be permitted to stand aside that this case
may be brought to an early and final hearing.
1t Is due TO me as a citizen; it Is due to this
court, whose prosecuting officer have been for
nearly five years; ii is due to this community
grown restless under these charges, which for
many months have filled some of the public
prints. Perhaps ought to state TO the court in