New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-10-05
CLOSING THE STEWART ARGUMENTS.

CLOSING THE STEWART ARGUMENTS.
IRA sHAFERs ANSWER TO nIE DEFENCE OF MFssRs.
KSEELAND AND CHAPMAN.
The argument of the motion to remove s.
F. Kneeand from being attorney of Alexander Stewart
In the suit in which II is claimed THAT notwithstanding
T. Stewards WILL the natural heirs OF OF the million
must share his property closed yesterday be-
fore Judge Westbrook in Supreme Court, Chambers.
Rufus Andrews briefly addressed the Court in behalf
OF Clark II. Chapman. of Vermont, who had the mme-
date personal relations with Alexander Stewart which
led TO the making of Stewart party TO the suit He
spoke warmly Of MIR. Chapmans personal integrity as
OF one with whom he had been acquainted from boy
hood
Ira shafer closed the argument Gu the other side,
answering at length Mr. Chitteudens argument He
claimed that Mr.. Chitenden had conceded that prma
facie de out against Chapman and Kneeland
only inquiry was therefore. whether they had
refuted case. Tho only answer was that MIS-
Stewart Judge Hilton and the detectives had entered
into n conspiracy TO crush these lawyers. Was that
maintained They placed the first step OF the
conspiracy letter published June 4 1875. and gave
the contents Of letter purportng 10 be dated June o.
1876 from Chapman to Kneeland about the claim lie
asked Courts particular attention TO THIS ana us
careful examination whether this date at least was not
clearly false. whether the whole letter was not
manufactured. in view of statements in subsequent
letters and in view Of subsequent admitted facts lie
envelope for this letter.
Mr.. Shafer charged that Mr.. Chapman bad been re-
Gently In Jersey City to aid Mr. Kneeand and Mr. Chit
tenden fatty contradcted him. Mr. Sbafer renewed his
assertion and rdiculed the idea that Mr.. Chapman.
man sixty years OF age experienced in pubic AFFAIRS
could have been mveigled into crime by detectives III
Chapman was retained as eally as 1876, why did he
WRITE don't believe the will of A. T. stewart can be
broken ~ When did he change his mind They waited
was said for the result of the Bailey proceeding and
the excuse made that they doubted its good Ialh
Yet that was conducted by of the most reputable
lawyers in New-YOrk. And after all Mr.. Chirtenden
could say nothing defence of the complaint; that Is or
the SUIT itself MI shaer commented al some !eugtn
on the antecedents of Mr. kueeland as shown by the
papers, and referring to statement OF Mr. Cntteudcns
that this matter before jury SAID III all the
sIvsters m Ncw-York should give notice that they
tended to hold indignation meeting because there
was an attempt now TO prevent tbem from taxing
hack at the Stewart estate il would not alarm Judge
Hilton Mrs. stewart In the slightest degree knerlanj
Orany other has right 10 sue this or any otheT estate
by the proper parties but he has no night 10 use the
process OF the law for improper unbOlN ana UNJUST
purpose Why, has got to be mat rich man
dare hardly die. Alexander T. Stewart although the
greatest merchant this country, If the world ever
knew-a man of culture. OF learning and refinement,
happy his domestic relatlOns-l nave no uOupt
thought more, when he 10 reflect IN his last mo
ments the and quiet that the surviving Ienct
would enjoy than he did of his untold millions. How
have his anticpatiOns been reazedi lie was not cold
III his grave before legal shysers-l DO not lnchlde
Messrs. Bartlett and ROOt-cOnceived the plan
time that attempts Of this kind should at all
be looked squarey in the face. aud that when
example should he made IL not, the legal profession
will be brought that condition OF dishonor that to be
called lawyer will be almost equyaent to the appel
latiOn OF common thief or highwayman."
Judge WestbrOOk took the papers intimatng that IN
view of his engagements in his circuit, an early de-
CIsOn must not be looked for.