The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-02-03
BIodgett Investigation.

CHICAGO, Jan. I.-C0ntlnuatlon OF the
testimony of U. S. District Attorney
Bangs. The witness then pointed out the
matters he considered ambiguous, but
Mr., Knott expressed himself dissatisfied
with the explanation. Witnest continued,
and stated that after the drawing up of
the indictments by the instruction of the
jury against Hibbard for the purpose of
presenting them to that bodg, he had a
talk with Judge Blodgett, who alluded to
the perjury Indictment. Could not remem-
Der exactly what occurred at that interview
but remembered that after if he changed
his mind as to presenting the perjury in
dictment to the jury. Judge Blodgett
said in substances he did not think the
perjury charge was right; that he had
construed the law to the Registers as
Hibbard interpreted it, and that Judge
Drummond concurred 10 this view. Wit
ness afterwards told the jury what Blod
gett said, and told them that if Judge
Blodgett had thus instructed the Register
then he was not guilty of perjury, and the
Judge had Instructed him that it was his
official duty to withhold that Indictment
Judge Drummond testified that during
the session Of the grand jury, judge Blod-
gett stated to him that the grand jury in
tended to indict Hlbbard for perjury, but
that it there had been any fault commit
ed it had been on his (Blodgett's) part
that he had construed the amendment of
| 1874 to the bankrupt law 10 certain way.
He stated to witness that the grand jury
i believed Hibbard mad made false returns
OF fees he received during certain year,
and question arose in his mind as to
what was the true construction of this
amendment, and Hibbard had consulted
nm, and that he had stated to Mr.
nlobard that it was not necessary for
nlm TO return anything more than his
ices arising under the cases that had
come before him during that wear.
Judge Blodgett then stated to wit
ness the reason for his construction
OF the law. He didn't ask
witness construction Of the law Witness
told Blodgett there was a good deal of
force in his reasons Blodgett presented
the case only 10 this aspect, that the grand
jury found or believed Hibbard had made
false returns of fees received in cases com
ing to him the previous year. There was
no intimation that he made false returns
under Biodgett's construction of the law
Witness then stated that ii Hibbard wa
:
tormity with Blodgett's s construction, ant
those returns as thus constited being true
it was great wrong Oh Hibbard. Witness
did not state his construction OF the law
He would not have considered it an outrag,
to indict Hibbard, if the latter had failet
to report all fees received and earned b,
him in cases coming before him within tht
year.
On cross examination witness stated tha
be saw much in the peculiar phraseoloR,
OF the law to sustain Judge Blodgetts in
terpretation of it, but in either case he dit
: not think, under the facts as stated to him
that Hibbard ought to be indicted. Wit
ness expressed strong disapproval to Judg
Blodgett of both the protracted sitting 0
the jury. and of the publicity given to it
proceedings. He considered it competen
I under the statute for Judge to dismiss
grand jury any time when he desired
Witness further testified that if Hibbart
made false returns under erroneous instruC
ton OF Judge Blodgett, but without col
rupt intent, that an Indictment against bin
: was not admissible. aud in witness opin
/ ion if Hibbard acted in good faith an il
| struction from Judge Bi3dgett ought t
r have relieved hlm.
: Adjourned.
e Mr.. Lapham, Of the committee, la
q heen suddenly called awag by death in hi
e family, 1t is lot decided yet whether til
Y CON mittee will proceed without him or 81
cure the after lance of another member.