National Republican., 1875-06-14
THE TRIAL OF BILL KING,
Motion to Set Time for Trial-Arguments Of
Gen. Butler and Judge FiSher-A RsaSon-
shle Tina IN he FiYad Hara.Ptar

Motion to Set Time for Trial-Argumsnts Of
Gen. Butler and Judge FiSher-A Rsason-
able Time to be Fixed Hereafter.
At the opening OF the Criminal Court on Satur-
day Gen. B. F. Butler and Richard Harrington
appeared at the bar, and Gen. Butler called the
attention Of the court to the case of Hon. VIM. s.
King, who had given bail the evening before
on an Indictment for swearing falsely before
the committee of investigation in the Pacific
Mail subsidy. There was g considerable crowd
in the court room.
As soon as Judge Macarthur took his seat:
Gen. Butler said Hon. VIM. S. King has given
bail on an Indictment for perjury in this court,
Gai ~ on h tS bs bsr and he is
here. The Court would remember that very great
diligence was shown, and q law passed to eupannel
grand Jury at q period much earlier tnan va
usual for the purpose of finding this Indictment:
Mr.. King was desirous to meet that charge and
he had right to speedy trial; An the the W.T.; VII
hence no reason why he should not be tried
within 9 few weeks.
The Court. Would you indicate time at which
you desire the trial to take placer
General Butler. Three weeks from next Mon
day. no,, -.
The Court. What has the District Attorney to
Judge Fisher. The District Attorney does not
think Mr.. King would suffer very much II this
case was suffered to take the ordinary course.
Inc gTaDQ Jury lOu1O Ln6 lDulCln0uI ~ bnls
and there were many other cases pending and en-
titled to trial before this case. One OF the most
important witnesses is Mr.. Irwin. Now, as soon
as the grand Jury was empanneied 1t sent sui
ppna for him. His attendance could not now be
obtained, as It was understood he had gone to
Europe, and his whereabouts are now unknown.
We want Mr.. Irwin to show why he gave King q
heavy check. SubpenRs have been issued Tor
Mr. Irwin and they have not yet been returned.
The Court. suppose you have no means OF
knowing how soon you can obtain his attendance?
Mr.. Harrington. Judge, will you state to the
court whether you expect to get him here?
Judge Fisher. / cannot say.
General Butler did not think that following the
ordinary course in this case would delay the trial.
Certainly It could not be the ordinary course OF
this court to delay Justice. He did not wish TO
make hr. Kings case an exceptional one. 1t IS
the right of the humbIest to have a speedy trial
Magma Charta required It. Null rendimEs Hulli
mOTemus jUsficIG, is what King John promised In
Magma Charta.
the legal doctrine to the continuance Of cases
at law, and be then read from the testimony De-
fore the investigating committee, to show that
Er. Irwin denied in the most positive manner
that. he had ever paid any money to King Tor
the purpose Of securing the passage of the Pacihc
Mail subsidy. 1t was not material, however, at
this point to know what Mr.. Irwn's testimony
was all he could prove would be admitted. The
District Attorney had said there was no hardship
to Mr.. King. He had better be in cell than under
this charge. 1t is aiburden; has been one which
HAS BLEACHED HIS HAIR
au5 wrinkled his front. 1t has prevented him
from settling his business. Subpenas had been
sent where Mr.. Irwin was nOt-NeH York and
San FranciscO-when the newspapers had pub
lisbed, (thCugh he did not blame him for not be-
lieying the newspspers) that he was in E. rope.
Af;er further arguments to the same purport,
Judge Mac Arthur said that the right of speedy
trial Of the accused could not be denied, but that
the indictment having been found at this term,
the Government could not be forced to trial be-
fore the close of term. 1t could not be expected,
however, that the trial could be made to walt an
indefinite possibility Of the attendance OF Mr..
Irwin. He would therefore, decline to fix q time
now, but give leave for the substitution oil mo-
tion of that kind on the first day of next term,
and that he would require the District Attorney
10 name day within which he could expect to
get all the witnesses that were obtaiuable, and
Teasons BILE delay would be given tor that purpose.
Gen. Butler signifed that that course would be
acceptable TO the defence, and the court turned
to other business.