The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1875-04-07
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
THE PRICE OF PUTTY.


Ine nest Travesty that has Appeared
for Many . Day.
Judge Fullerton asked Miss Turner:
DO you know the price of putty?"
The witness said promptly, During
what state of the putty market?"
Now, then," said the counsel, this
is really unbearable. Here | ask the
witness question demanding a plain
answer, yes or no, and she prevari-
Gates In this astounding manner"
~ our Honor" said Mr.. Evarts, will
please bear in mind that the market
for putty varies. There is a hail
storm, and putty rises. There is
quiet neighborhood where there are
no small boys or other troubles, and
you can get putty there for nothing,
excepting in the inclement seasons
peculiar. to this climate. The ingre-
dients of which putty is composed are
themselves subject to fuctuation. My
distinguished friend puts the question,
Do you know the price of putty? and
| submit that the witness cannot an
swer the question with mere yes or
no. To use the negative would
evince gross ignorance of the cost of a
very common article used in the erec-
ton of buildings. To use the affirma-
tive would subject her to the charge
of insuferable egotism, for who Of us
can be expected to know the price OF
putty whenever called upon? Now l
suppose my learned friend means
general question as to the price of put
ty; but he has put the question in the
present tense. To find the exact price
of putty at this moment, it would be
necessary for the most Of US, [ fancy,
to consult the GLACIERS and the market
reports There was applause in the
gallery, and Judge Nelson told the
janitor to see that that didn't occur
again IF your honor please" said
Mr.. Beach, rising, I'VE are trying to
discover the state of an interior win
dow in the plaintiffs house at the
time the witness assumes to have seen
the defendant hanging pictures. We
wish to show the quality of the dark
ness, the strength of the light, the
condition of the atmosphere, the
cleanliness or otherwise of the panes
Of glass, the state of the sash at tie
period referred to, and various other
things. Now if this is to be shown
clearly, your honor will see that the
plaintiffs S knowledge or otherwise of
the putty business is a most vital mat
ter Here Mr.. Shea1man arose and
said with some emphasis that the
question as put was unfair-he might
almost call it an insult to the witness.
Whereupon Judge Fullerton arose
and said that was an imputation upon
his character as a lawyer, which he
would not tamely submit to. More
applause, and, by Judge Nelson's di-
rection, red-headed man was taken
out of the gallery by the ear. IF your
honor please" said Mr.. Evarts, 'my
learned friend is little too sensitive.
4 aara- smy colleague mean. TO Of
fense by his remark. and [ have no.
ticed disposition on the part of the
prosecution to browbeat' sir, said
Judge Fullerton, In towering rage.
At this period all the counsel rose,
with threatening gestures, and the
spectators craned their necks forward
with evident expectancy. The coun-
sci have used two expressions which
are offensive, and will doubtless with
draw them,' said Judge Nelson, with
dignity. They were Immediately with
drawn, and Judge Fullerton again
put the question, "Do you know the
price of putty?" "We object" said
Mr.. Evarts. promptly. Does the
prosecution mean to show the exact
period of the night during which Mr..
Tilton arranged his pictures?" asked
Judge Nelson, ''and does this ques-
ton lead up to it?'' Precisely" said
Judge Fullerton. but insist, your
honor" interrupted Mr.. Evarts, that
the witness is not an expert in putty,
and therefore she canpot be expected
to answer in this precise manner as to
the price of it. Now, if your honor
will permit me to refer to Greenleaf
VS.. Molligrubs, 4 r. s., Is B., SO x"
1.-The counsel will take his seat" said
Judge Nelson. Your HONOR said
Mr.. Evarts, evidently annoyed out
still courteous, will please note my
exception" And when the witness
was again asked the question she an
swered it promptly with the monosyl-
liable Yes, which undoubtedly closes
the case against Mr.. Beecher. though
the exception furnishes excellent