The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-02
losing Scenes in the Camden
Murder Trial.
SUMMING UP FOR THE PRISONER.
an Exhaustive and Exhausting Argument
by Mr. Robson.


In the swelleriug heat OF the Camden room,
crowded as usual with a miscellaneous gathering
listening with intensified to the closn. stages
OF the great murder trial, the Hon. G. NJ
Robson this morning began his argument to
tho Jury in behalf OF his client, Benjamin
Hunter, accused OF assassnating John ~
Armstrong his friend and partner. was low
minutes after ten O'Clock whom Mr. Robson took tho
floor and began his speech, ana 1t was after four
O'Clock when he paused conclude his address TO-
morrow, the long interval beng broken only by 8
brief recess IN the middle OF tho DAY.
X. RoBEsoN's SPEECH.
Mr. Robeson's speech the most elaborate and
able OF the three yet delivered II very OK
haustive and exhsustng mot in the uncompli-
mentary ssnseL Tor whom the Court adjourned Tor
the day the speaker seemed almost pros
trated by the hard earnest work he had done
tie sultry which all the court room cxpe-
rienced. Mr. Robson expected to flush his address
To-day, but when he chopped for adjournment there
were some further points untouched upon which he
viii finish TO- morrow.
Tho spoon vas, nrst a careful recapitulation OF
tho law bearing tue case; then brief state.
msns OF the admitted facts of the murder;
shen recital OF tho friendly relations
bstwsen Hunter ami Armstrong. and an en-.
ieavor TO show That Hunter had no motive 70
commit the murder; next a eulogy on Aun,sr's char
ton of the evidence tending TO crminate Hunter,
particular attention being gwen to the testimony OF
Thomas Graham, Hunters confessed accomplice.
now HE EXPLAINS INSURANCE.
The counse's explanation OF why Hunter secured 50
large insurance upon Armstrong; lie was ingen-
ioua He remarked sit Is said that this life insurance
u motive for Benjamin Hunter-S26 900 and a
debt Of only $1,000 is the settled law Of the land,
established by decision IN Pennsylvania that the law
the principal and interest OF the money you
advanced, but the balance you cannot recover. But
why make 1t large, Mr.. Hun,cry Why be explained
10 Mr. Ashbrook, another insurance man, al desire
make this large because while have dissolved
partnership. yot under the laws have been about the
ofhcc much that myself may be brought IN as q
general partner, Mr. Hanson OF the creditors
has already so threatened me-"
So tar from ITS being TO my mind an infercncs
against Mr. Hunter that he made this large insurance.
u seems me evidence OF his perfect unconscious
meas or crime Would any man have done that?
Thomas Graham tells you that before this
snce effected Hunter came TO him ana proposed
that ho should kill John Armstrong II no had
already made up his Ind 10 kill him how insane It
would have been pile up insurance his lite.
That very act alone, judged by reason and by COM
mon sense. will show that Benjamin Hunter at that
time foul design toware the life oil John
NJ Armstrong. He went the insurance companies,
told them what wanteds and seat Armstrong there
himself Would any man in has senses who AZ that
tame had made up n,s mind 10 take John Armstrong;
mfs have done that And It Is said that within day
Or Two after Armstrong died he had givcn ono OF
The policies TO lawyer for collection. He not
Saigned Tor want OF taste.
But II he had a guilty conscience, II within
week had struck down friend, II he bad hat bur-
dening his lie and conscience would no IN four days
alter taken steps TO recover these policesf Is
there a man in the world within the range OF human
reason-a man OF business exporencc-ibat would 80
with the largest OF these Insurance policies ana say
Bring us the money NJ 0nceY"
Two OF these policies expensive
plan, being what Is known as the endowment PLAZA.
costing one-tnird more. Il Hunter proposed TO XIII
simply taken out life policies, terminating with
the life Of Armstrong, thus saving $500 II he
going to Kill him within twenty years thut
money would not have been thrown away. II
he Intended to kill him within mouth
the cos, OF the Two ciasscs of policies, ana these
things all speak in favor OF tho deicndana. Why did
Lie proposed to XIII him SO soon; or why did he In
sure him Tor more Than $4,000, which Is all tho
soon, and Why did he alter the deed ana
ask thai might be brought Tor The collection Of
the policies. II ne was guilty.
''Do TRuss.r
Concerning The note which Hunter wrote TO Arm
strong, directing him not TO wear his truss when he
went TO be examined Tor the life insurance, Mr. Robe
claimed that Hunter did not mean any fraud upon
ice insurance companies, he merely mentioned u
cdentaIiy, knowing that Armstrong was only slightly
ruptured anu that II no wore II during the medical
exam nnllon The insurance companies would suppose
him 10 be worse than he was.
HUNTERS WEALTH.
The next point touched upon by the speaker was
Hunters wealth. He clamoa that he owncd $50. 600
worth OF real estate encumbcroa Tor 81 2U0 only
had income OF NJ least 81 ZOO with ST. 800 IRON his
wiie besides the royalty IRON his patent boiler the
whence all his wealth had come. Ho claimed
that Hunter not in money difficulties, and that II
be had been ne certainly ,eouid have got money
IN 1allH He had Han
the money to be paid TO his nephew. Gez, for whom
he was guardian ana TO whom he to pay $1,000,
but {3 O0O OF fhis mai been paid. He many times
need than thisa thoosaod times, In the
vIcissitudcs OF thirty years OF busnsss bus had
never wrongcd IN enemy nor Injured a Trend. Ito
had many times mad greater temptations than |
that, but long hic oil rcctitude had been nis.
Sec how foolish those accusations seem when pre- !
scented In the clear light OF reason. counsel
lor All are endowed with IKE qualities Temp
tation had music Tor all cars. Bat men OF thus char
aoter do do murder Tor money. WHAT impulse OF
hcsdlohg PASSION, what ambition may urge man 10
crime, we do not Know eut men situated IKE thls
doht moment break uown and vita ingenious /
device compass sot only tue death oil their friend,
but tho ACCUSATIONS OF an innocent man.
HUNTERS coon CHARACTER
Mr.. Robeson spoke at length upon Hunters good
character gained as he said. by long life OF spoless
integrity. He, the counsel IN the course OF long
experiences, had never seen good CHARACTER well |
proved In court seventy OF the best people In Phl-
nuslphin. some of whom mad known MIN Tor forty
years had come upon the stand. every Que OF
thsm wiling 10 swear that Hunters character was
as good ms their should this DO his rowsrdf he
SAID pointing to the prisoner IT This mans honor
able lie 10 10 count Tor nothing OF what rs u Tor
man to live q ney The prosecutor would |
refer to TIE case Of John = Morton, late president
OF tue Market street Railway, as man OF good char
actsr VINO been guiity OF great crime But |
the case was not parallel QUE. Hunter was not Q |
ernnuson of signer OF tue Declaration ot lndepcn-
dsnce Ne did not start IN nis with the inheritance
OF au ancsstor's high name Ho had started an |
an VI snsoe boy and nad earned honored name by
n limo OF honest ibdustry.
THOMAS GRAHAM
Mr.. Iobesop then stariod upon the consideration Of
the story VI Thomas Graham, with the cheering
no To- tue jury that II might DO dui and no
mirn n, dctain thcm Tor an hour Two longer than
tucy cared Tor, but they would cease 10 |
,uauk him throughout their lives when /
10 nut be lore tnem grounds for calm con |
,,ierntton Of the He began by
pEctcbing Granan's apprenticeship with Hunter, OF
vu.u s was a OF pet Then he read that part of
rnbsu,s testimony where he said that he met Hunter
IN harton street sunday morning, aud Hunter |
Iook n,m up litte street, between a window aud |
gate, aoa sA.d 20 him. 'You KNOW John Al. Arm |