National Republican., 1878-10-07
A pERDIcr ron SAMUEL STRONG.
The Judge RENTS All Fines that lie Inn
posed for Contempt.

The Circuit Court chamber was pretty well
filled last saturday morning by persons dcsr-
ous of hearing the verdict in the case of Samuel
Strong vs.. The District of Columbia Justice
Humphreys came on to the bench promptly at
ten o'clock. The counsel for the defense was
present, and Mr.. Riddle on behalf of the Dis.
trict The reappearaucc of tho latter led
some individuals to suppose that another cN-
citing scene would take place, but this tmo
they were mistaken, for II was the most hlr.
monious gathering that has assembled together
for som, unr: IN fact, before the session ter.
miuutcd ilr scauCr resolved itself into q mu.
tuil admiration society.
The Jury wa. rltIrd and returned II verdict
in favor uf the raulN for ;l35oOl5l
rh" defense entered motions Tor a now trial
anh In arrest OF Judgment.
While this mutrn was being discussed and
a time for the hcarngnErccd upon Mr.. Riddle
arose and addressed the court. saying that in
the carly stage of the trial proceedings trans.
pirCd T." which he wished briefly to REFER
The Commissioners ofthis District were each
fined 800 for contempt OF this court. Now,
there was stipulation male between counsel
and clicutS for their government and guidance
under certain contingencies. IL was not ad'
dressed to the court not intcnled for its eye {;
made outside the court, ana never to be intro.
luccd here, but cnmn in incidentally. The
Commissioners in signing that paper intended
no lsTe,pcCt to the court, and rested under
the belief that tho agreement was merely a
private one, In which clients aud attorneys
alone were concerned, and never WAS to find
its way into tho court That heing tho fact,
said Mr.. Riddle, Il ask then that Your Honor
reconsider your action MS regards these gentle.
men, aud remit the tine you have imposed upon
them. If that cAnn0. be done, then | shall
have to seek relief by appeal, or some other
course"
The Court-"Mr. Riddle, your remarks are
very acceptable and gratifying to the court,
except the last one"
Mr. Riddle" Then I withdraw that. S0ut
Honor
The Court" Very well; lam glad that you
do and feel exceedingly grath'd that ii il
| done"
lie thought that everything hal been
| dome dLiiug he progress Of thi. t.ial to purge
| the case Of contempt. iul rcmittcd all the fines
| against the .cnTusCl anl the Commissioners
| He hoped that good feeling may be preserved
all around.
Colonel Cook sail that the paper which was
| rcgarlrh as in contempt was thought to be
proper nt the time II was drawn without in.
| t"nlion To reflect upon the court, and not fol
the observation Of the court. II he had any
word, Of contempt TO utter, he should speak
them in the sight Of the court and within it.
| hearing. There was no hisrcspcct intended
so far as he was concerned.
| The CDurt-"IOur conduct Of the case wa
satisfactory that nothing Of the kind was in
tended. | wish to wipe ont all except the
verdict in the case, and whether that vii
stand depends upon the points to be presented
oH the hearing Of the motions for new tria
aml in arrest "f Judgment; and here we vii
wipe them ont. and all these fines, upon III,
explanations that have been made, and which
icing satisfactory TO the court, Mr.. Clerk
"utcr upon your minutes that they are al
remittCd."
The hearing of the two motions was fixed
for next Snturdly. the jury discharged, an.
tic court adjourned.