The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-20

OF giving farce before the regular per-
formance, and it seems to be meeting
with great favor both by those who want
tul evenings entertainment and
those who do not care to visit the thea
ter until late hour and still be in time
for the play. 1t is said that other thea
ters will follow the example OF the Fifth
Avenue.
The Vanderbilt will Contest.
At the opening of the SurrogaLe's
Court to-day Judge Black, counsel for
contestants, offered to prove through Z.
J. Vanderbilt that he had not been gamb-
ling or doing anything about the time
the will was made which could excite
his fathers displeasure.
Mr.. Lord offered to prove that Corne-
lius j. Nanderbilps good behavior was
known TO his father; that his father
spoke TO him In way which gave him
high hopes for the future; that this being
known 10 VIM. Il. he conspired TO injure
Cornelius j. with his father, and with
that object got person OF dissipated
habits 10 personate Cornelius j. and
visit several gambling bells ana other
places, 80 that detectives who followed
him could report to VIM. Ii. that his
brother had iallen into evil courses.
which were reported by WI. II. TO his
father, Whereat he was much grieyed
and disappointed, and that the Will was
made month after.
Wm. LII. Vanderbilt regarded counsel
while making this offer with look OF
surprise.
Judge Comstock said what was Of
fered TO be proved did not amount to
undue influence any more than the pro-
curing OF money on forged check. Mr..
Lord, turning around and fixing his eyes
on WIN. Ii. Vanderbilt who Immediate
ly looked in another direction), went on
to argue That His Honor had to consider
whether the testator would have made
different will but tor the undue infu-
ence brought to bear upon him. After
further arguments the Surrogate decided
| TO admit testimony relating to the con-
spracy. and Cornelius j. Vanderbilt
was recalled and testified that he had
Dot at the time named In his previous
testimony visited gambling houses. He
had endeayored to persuade William to
give him place on the railroad or to in
huence his father to do 30. William
had, however, refused 10 interfere, say
Ing lie should only be damned up and
down for his pains.
Witness said that on return
Ing from the funeral ne had a
conversation with his brother Will
lam. An offer to prove that
William expressed surprise at the con-
tents OF the will and sad he knew moth
ing about il, whereas he did know OF The
contents before the will was opened,
thus showing guilty knowledge,
was objected to, and Surrogate said he
thought it was inadmissable. The wit
ness was tneu crOss-eXamiued, after
which the Court adjnurned
EriR
The trial 0; Louisa Welzel for the
murder of her love-, Valentine List
mann, was concluded yesterday and the
case given to the jury, which returned a
verdict OF not guilty.
The trial Of Dr.. Lambert, President of
the Popular Life Insurance Company,
LOT perjury, was also concluded yester-
day and given TO the jury.
Col, Wm. Carol and john II. Hustled,
who were arrested for uttering $lI ,0g0
worth of forged st. Louis County, $40,
bonds, pleaded guilty anG were re-
manded.
The Excise War.
The attempted action Of Mayor Ely
against the Police Board causes great
excitement, aud late last night the
Board passed The following resolution:
"ResoIved, That members Of the po-
lice force are cautioned nor to relax
their vigilance in the enforcement OF the
law, and the arrest Of offenders. In an
tlclpation OF any possible changes in |
the Board governing the force, their !!
powers and duties can not be in any de- |
gree affected by such measures. Tue |
Board will expect from every police |
man continued prompt aud thorough SER
vice in the enforcement OF all laws for |
,he protection oil life, liberty aud prop
.rty, and the maintenance OF public or.
Ter as they exist upon the statute
'ooks, and are i'll ,eipreted in the
Jourts."
A copy of the resolution was sent to
very precinct in the city.