Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-10-05

VERDICT FOR PLAINTIFF AND MOTION FOR
NEW TRIAL.

VERDICT FOR PLAINTIFF AND MOTION FOR
NEW TRIAL.
The case of Samuel Strong vs.. The District
of Columbia was submitted to the jury about
$50 yesterday afternoon. At the close of the
evidence for the plaintiff, there being no eyi
dence for the defendant submitted, the court
made its charge to the jury. Just before The
charge was given Mr. Riddle, attorney for the
District, entered the bar, and taking seat.
listened attentively to the remarks of Judge
Humphreys. AT their close Mr.. Riddle rose
to two points in the instructions of the court.
First, that MI Strong's protest at the time he
reeeipted to the District for his work that the
PAYMENT was not a full one prevented that
payment from operating as liquidation OF
Mr. Strongs account; and, second that the
Board Of Public Works had q right to c0ntract
ana pay Tor the underpinning of private
houses IN Georgetown. on streets whose grade
mad feen lowered. The exceptions were noted
ana the case submitted to the jury with d-
tctlons TO return sealed verdict into court
thls morning and the court adjourned.
VERDICT FOR PLAINTIFF
Inc coIrt reconvened this morning at 10
0'c'Gck, Justice Humphreys arriving upon the
nench promptly at that hour. The counsel for
representing the District. The attendance Of
spectators was large, doubtless expecting
another scene. but were disappointed. The
jury returned verdict for the plaintiff in the
sum OF sl2S.CGLj1.
Motions for new trial and in arrest OF
Judgment we're then entered on the part OF the
defendant.
A brief discussion was INDUCED in as hear
ing the two motions, and then pleasant ex-
change OF cOurtesieS and
SHAKING HANDS OVER THE wORDY CHAsM
Mr.. Riddle addressed the court, and said:
'Your Honor: In the early Stage of the trial,
when verdict has Just been returned, pro-
ceedings transpired TO which wish briefly t,
refer. The Commissioners of this District
were each fined siO0 for contempt of this court
Now, there was SIT puation made between
counsel and clients for their government ami
guidance under certain contingencies. 1t was
not addressed to the court: not intended for
its eye; made outside the court and never TO
DC introduced here, but came in incidentally.
Your honor requested its reading, which was
done. and then directed it to be filed which
was also done. The Commissioners in signing
that paper, intended no disrespect To your
honor, and rested under the belief that the
agreement was merely private one, in which
clients and attorneys alone were concerned.
and never was to find its way into the court.
That being the fact ask then that yOur honor
reconsider your action as regards these gen
tlemen, and remit the fine you have imposed
upon them. If that cannot be done. than l
shall have to seek relief by appeal, or some
The Court Mr. Riddle your remarks are
very acc g, and gratifying to the court,
except the last one.'
Mr. Riddle Then / withdraw that, your
honor"
Tie Court" Very well I am glad that YOU
do, and feel exceedingly gratifed that it is
ipiS SAlItC CdiHt ~ tflS determination
that where The law did not force me to do il. |
would impriSon nobody. | think that every
thlBg Eas been done during the progress OF
TRIAL TO purge the case of contempt, and | shall
remit ali the tntS gaiuSt the counsel and the
commissioners. Where there is any discretion
placed in my hands and the rules OF law can
be observed, 1 Will not impose d fine upon any
one. L trust and hope that good feeling NAV
be preserved all around. know that people
nave paSSl0nS-1 have them myself-bug they
Shou d be curbed and controlled, especially by
OIL 10 In The morning and during the day. but
IN the afternoon 1 try to dismiss il from nv
mind. L harbOr no llEfeeling against any one
In the world. 1t is against my faith to do so.
In this case L feel conscious that everything
has been done according to the rules of law"
Col Cook said that the paper which was re-
garded as In contempt was Thought to be
proper at the time. IL was drawn without in
tent1on to reflect upon the court, and not for
WOrdS OF cOntemp' 20 utter, he should speak
them in the sight of the court and within its
nearing. There was no disreSpect Intended,
so far as he was concerned.
Inc Court" Your conduct of the case was
satisfactory that nothing Of the kind was in
Tended. wish TO wipe out ali except the YER
Dict In the case, and whether that will stand
depends upon the points to be presented on
the hearing OF the motions for new trial and
In arrest OF Judgment and here we will wipe
them out, and all these fines upon the expa.
nations that have been made, and which
being satisfactory to the court, Mr.. Clerk
enter upon Your minutes that they are all re-
mittCd.1
Saturday next was then set for hearing the
motions: the jury was DISCHARGED and the
court adjourned.