The New York herald., 1878-10-05
THE STEWART WILL CASE.
CLOSING ARGUMENT OF IRA sHAFER-Is IT
SAFE FOR RICH MAN TO DIE?

CLosINo ARGUMENT OF IRA sHArER-Is 1T
SAFE FOR RICH MAN TO DIE?
The argument on the motion for substitution Of
counsel In the partition suit against the stewart
estate concluded yesterday before Judge West
brook In Supreme Cours, Chambers. At the opening
OF tho court Mr. L. E. Ctittsnden explained that in
his reference OF Thursday TO subornation Of perjury
In the affidavit OF Alexander Stewart he meant emily
the hired dslscIives had not intended include
counsel. Mr.. Rufus y. Andrews followed In u short
autobiogrspnical speech in which he informed the
Court that ne from tho town OF Pr0ctorvlle in
Vermont that no went TO the school and read
law IN the same office with Chapman, whose pupil
Knseland was, and he came into court IN behalf Of
acQuxtnsanoss Of his---lawyers wnom he knew 70 be
msa oil honor trust and responsibility. He said ne
desired 10 make tpis application because the idea
gees abroad that any one who undertakes to inter-
fers with the settled OF A T. Ssewart is In some
way Hying 70 lsvy biackmail fu.res ets..
ARGUMENT sHAgER.
Mr.. Ira Shaier then replied. He said that ut tho
beginning OF his argument Mr.. Chitsendsn conceded
snsa primA iaeis had been made out BY lhs
papera This conceded prima tscis case has not
been overcome Oy the papers the other side. The
inception claimed be the letter Of
Alexander stewart 20 Judge hilton. pubnshed IN the
hxRALD OF Juuo Z, 1876, ana letter writton by
Chapman 10 kneeiaua ON tue DIN oi July, 1876.
Tnsss oates Significant. Although Kneeland had
tnsn caiIs MIN "our csnt" lour several times. Mr..
sIsier also pointed out that no,wi,nslanan tnis
Kneeiand wrote the oth Of June, claim.
lug r.s letter HERALD the inform alion upon
wnicn u was based. From this counsel argued tnat
lhs Chapman stlsr was written alter IAls
had begun Mr. Sbaier then referred 20 sne letter
the Atm OF Sepsemoer 1875 In which kneeiand writes
10 Cnapman:-'You must remomDer that Two years
ago you we're desired by stewart 10 have LOOK
alter MS interssikn II no had letter Of July g.
1876 in whicn Chapman says stewart ,rixea lm
wnto 70 Chapmau, You must rcinsmoer tnai
stewart desireu you 10 have me look alter his n
wssh iss postmark showing where was possedf"
WAS caArxAs IN JERSEY cnri
A. this poinl Mr.. shAisr charged that Chapman was
skdiking ~ Jersey Ciy and coming 70 Now York ~
nIgnt " csnier with ms co-conspirator TINS sile-
gstioa Vas vigorously asnied by AE Cnisisnasn and
hc could Driug a doxsn witnesses to prove IL
Mr. Snaier reviewed the antccodsnts oi KneeIand
win aucn bitterness in relation other suns and in
considering relations win Chapman ihis
ho asked, "Da ever Two burglars pan 70 break into
a bank with q clearer unucrstandngf" In conciu-
that rich man dare nardy die. As 1 stand here,
with all my inture hopes and prospeets--and navo
vots here, anu every dollar uavo ! the world
Is here IN New Yors-i have IN tho win havo pre-
psrod declared my residcuco not 70 be In this city
aud county. Alexander 7. Stewart, although the
greatest merchant tnis couutry--ii not the world
ever knew; man of cultivation, Of oarning ana re-
nnemsat. man happy IN his domestic relations,
1 have no doubs tnougns more when ne
came TO reflect In his last moments Of
peace and quiet that the Surviving relic, would
JOY than he vi his untold millions. how have his
anliol lpstions been rsaizeaY hs mol cod IN ms
grave boioro the legal sbystersby that dont mean
to include Messrs. Baruett and kool--concsived the
plan pouncing upon his estate. Is II tme that
attempts oil this kind should all events be- looked
at squarey Lhe lace, ana thai, wnen the truth Ii
alleged here, isnt IL hign timo an exam plo should pe
maasY Al not the iega proisssion will pe brouEnt 10
condition Of dishonor tnat TO be called lawyer
will be almost equivalent to the appsllatIop oil
mon thief or way man. would DO con-
tests Surrogates Court, less legal wrangiing.
and Your Honor would not Davo had three days
your valuable IN hearirg tnis motion.n
Judge Wsssbrook reserved MS decision.