National Republican., 1878-07-31
Cohen, tho Agitator, Fined Five Dollars.


of Isaac Cohen. Cohen was arraigncd on the
charge of disorderly conduct and obstructing
the footway at the corner of Pennsylvania av-
cnue and Seventh street. lie pleaded not
guilty, and the trial proceeded, Mr.. T. J. Du-
rant appearing for the defense aud Mr..
| Padgctt for the District.
| Sergeant Botcler was the first witness called,
aud testified that he was on duty Saturday
night. crowd assembled at the corner Of
Pennsylvania avenue and Seventh street, and
| about nine o'clock, Cohen came up and wished
to tell the crowd why there would be no meet.
ing. lie (Botcler) told him that he could not
speak, as he had positive orders from his SUI
| pcrior officer not TO allow him to do 80. There
| were about 800 people on the open space be-
tween the St. Mare Hotel aud Seventh street
| Before Cohen came the sidewalk was clear
| There was no loud talking.
| Major Morgan then took the stand and
| stated that he sent for Cohen Saturday fore
noon. When Cohen came to his office he
| warned him not to hold any more meetings.
Cohen then asked II he could not hold one on
Saturday night IN order TO explain the same
to the people Witness told him that he could
not, and suggested that he might explain to
his friends during the day by telling them on
the street when he met them. Also told Cohen
| that he coalh no; hold his meeting on IOn.
thing he said to him.
Mr.. ID. u. Spear testified that he was In com.
pany with Cohen on Saturday last. The witness
then detailed Cohcn's proceedings Saturday
just as narrated by Cohen himself, In his own
testimony given below
| Mr.. Tibbetts was called, and testified that
he was in company with Cohen on saturday.
He corObOrsted the preceding witness
| Mr.. =. W. Welsh stated that he saw Cohen
on Saturday night. When he arrived at the
usual place Of the Cohen meetings a large
crowd had gathered. While standing there,
Mr.. Cohen came up and said to police officer,
that he wanted to explain to the crowd why
there would he no meetings. The officer re-
piled. go right away. You can't speak
word" Cohen then walked away, and Il
large crowd followed him.
CoHES's sTATEMEST.
Cohen was then examined He testified
that Saturday morning. while standing ut the
corner of Seventh street aud Pennsylvania
avenue he was told that Major Morgan
wanted to sec him. lie went 10 Major Nor
gan's office, and that gentleman asked him IL
he had heard OF the trouble in South Washing
ton, aud also II he knew anything about it,
He replied that he had not. Major Morgan
then stated that witness had always bcena law
abiding citizen, and, In the interest Of peace
aud quiet he had better no. hold meeting
that nigh. Witness then asked him If he
could explain to the people.
Major Morgan said that he had better let his
friends know privately. Witness then returned
to the corner Of seventh street aud the Ave.
nue.. and informed about hundred who were
standing there that there would be no meeting
at night. About seven O'Clock in the evening
witness went to the Centre Market and took
! up u collection To dcfIay the expenses Of his
meetings. The people in the market contrib
+ utcd literally. He was thus engaged when an
officer came to him au,i said that he could not
q al.
and he and his companions walked down the
|, Avenue, on the south side. Between Sixth and
Seventh streets they met party of about six
men, who asked him why he did not 90 over,
as the people were waiting for him, and urged
that, IN the interest OF peace, he had better go
over, as the crowd would then leave for their
+ homes. Witness objected, but rs they persist.
ed he sent Tibbctt TO see Rn officer.
| In few minutes Tihhctt returned and
stated that the officer said that il witness
# wanted to see him he would have to come over
to him. Witness thcrcupOn went over to the
crowd. The tirS. officer he met was Sergeant
!, Botccr. Witness asked him II he did not
Il think it proper aud better for him to explain.
The officer replied, NO, sir: ! have Orders not
# to allow you to do So" Witness then rnvr
:. of. The crowd followed him. Witness asked
, the officer to keep back the crowd, when the
C officer replied that he had better take tn,
> crowd along with him.
AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS
!, Witness turned up Louisiana avenue still
i followed by the crowd, and went iuto the Of
i fee Of Major Morgan.
=. The Major and iicHtenants and some re-
portcrs were IN consultation ut the time. Wit
ness told the Major that he had kept his agree
ncnt, aud sat there talking with the different
persons present. and was treated well by them
+, lie was never once told that he was under ar
rest. About eleven o'clock Lieutenant Kelly
81 said, "COhen, consider yourself under Arres
l. and come along with me-" lie was then t,,kcl
to the Seventh Precinct Station. where he wa
/; well treated Witness stated that he had bcCi
"a living here one year,and about three months ag
;: was discharged from position in the Patent
4. Office, secured for him by Senator Dorsey. II
r resided IN Arkansas before coming to this city
7; He was paid by the Wurkimgmeu's Association
$. 81 per day for carrying o these meetings. Tn
money taken up ut the meetings defrayed hi
expenses.
Major Morgan was recalled, and stated tina
" he told Cohen that under no circumstance
:, should he hold meeting that night.
- Sergeant Boteler was recalled, and state
'e that lie put Cohen under arrest at the entrauc
o. of Police Headquarters.
ID This closed the testimony. and Mr.. Duran
r. made able argument In deiense Of CoheI
at to which Mr.. Padgett replied briefly.
le The court then imposed u fine OF S5 au
60 costs. An appeal was noted and bonds fiSe
N at 500. The charge Of atfiuy against COhe
WAS uiSHlshtu. Inc vi NOHcH
was subsequently deposited with the Marsha
to bc held until he could secure bonds, an
he Cohen was released.
OF PARRIs' CASE.
'e, Mr.. Barrett, as counsel for Herbert Parrii
In who pleaded guilty last Monday to the charg
zh OF assauting Officer Cahill, filed II motion f
or the withdrawal Of the plea, on the groun
re that when the plea was entered the prisOnc
IT. was without counsel, and was ignorant of I'll
penalty attached to the ohense with which i
was charged The argument of the motiu
was 30. for Thursday.
Mt Architect Hill, the Contract System, an
-, the Police Denounced.
W A special meeting of the Workingmen's A
all sembly was held at Beck's Hall last evenn
b. Mr.. Alfred Thomas in the chair and G.
- Spier secretary.
e' The following call for the meeting was read
wAsHISGTOS, d. C., July o. 1873.
To he President Of he National UiOrtiHgHtHs 4
Il | sGnhy:
ed SIN The underlined delegates to the Assem-