, 1879-04-06
IN COURT.
TIE ARGUMENTS DEFORE JUDGE ZANE.
Eufcf1f Disu1fch 70 The Tiihune


| Special Dispatch fn The Tribune
| 2PRNGF1aLD. ILL.,, April 5.-1he incarceration
| Of THE TRIBUNE correspondent continues X
| be the sensation OF the hour, and on every sidt
| the action OF the House meets with condemns
| ton. The general public thoroughly understands
the character of that branch Of the Legislature,
and appreciates, in way the members do uo1
like, its }az1ness its want OF SYSTEM and its ut
| ter want Of common honesty. The public
| nereabouts, and presumably throughout the
entire State, Is fully advised Of the fact that
many Of the members are what is yulgarly but
c1prcssiVely called
ton THE MAKE."
It is known that the honorable gentlemen COL
lect pay for each and every Sunday that the
Legislature is in session; it is also known that
they collect pay for each and every day that
they are absent from Springfield; and it is fur
ther patent fact that the present Legislature
has exhibited d weakness for junketing tours ;
that it is astounding to tile rural taxpayer thar
this great body which charges for work never
done, for time that is devoted to loafng and
the cultivation Of the private business, should
feel its dignity insu]ted, is one OF those things
that nobody can find out, and far surpasses the
intelligence Of the average voter to whom the
AGs1A04oAAA"
An OBJECT OF DISMAL CONTEMPT.
The fact that Judge Zane had agreed to hear
NeVius' application for writ Of habeas corpus
at o'clock this afternoon was soon known all
over the city, and when that hour arrived the
Circuit Court was filled with members Of both
Houses, politicians, lawyers and men about
town. The four managers, Messrs. Jones,
Wright, Collins and Mason, reinforced by At
torney- General Edsall, were promptly on hand.
Ex-GoT- Palmer appeared for the victim Of leg
is1ative spitc who was escorted By Deputy
Sheriff. Ho came up smiling, and was soon
THE OBSERVED OF ALL OBSERVERS.
As the case proceeded the malignity Of the
prosecution became apparent after Gov. Palmer
had stated that the question before the Court
was very grave one and should not be hastily
determined, for it involved the rights Of the
citizen as we'll as those Of the House, and sug-
gested that Mr.. Neyins be admitted to bail
until full arguments could be heard.
The majority Of the prosecution ceased
to act the role of gentlemen. They
became prosecutors. They had tasted blood,
as 1t were, and wanted more Of it. Nothing
would do but Nevins should lie in Jail over
Sunday, and inch by inch they contested all ar-
guments in favor Of giving him the benefit Of
:he doubt. Great stick|ers for propriety, for
protecting the honor OF body which has so dis
honored itself, were the prosecuting managers.
Hypocriticallr they absolred themselves from
any vindictive feeling toward their prisoner Of
State, while not one OF them save Mason was
willing that he should have the benefit Of either
doubt OF Of clergy. About ten minutes after
GOV. PALMER ADDRESSED THE COURT,
and said:
have In my hand return made to this writ
the writ Of commitment by the Sherin.-but 90
return has been fled BY the poorkeeper OF the
Horse Of Representatives. ! think, As this case Is
Of such importance. If the gentlemen VINO repre-
sent the House 0! Representatives desire addition
III time 10 make return from the Doorkeepe1, who
te, suppose, tho most important Official. and
whose return will present the -eu facts which un-
der1ie this case. am not disposed to press the
matter TO u hea-lng ut once.
Mr. Jones, one OF the managers, said in reply:
The Committee appointed just before the Uouee
adjourned have had time 10 consult and prepare
u Teturu 10 the writ, and We supposed that we
oueht to hare at least until some hour on Monday
10 allow us to prepare to try this case. We shall
ir ready by :, o'clock on Monday, think. Gov.
Palmer has stated that the Sheriff has made re-
;,Are return ourselves and not rely upon return
OF the Sheriff.
Gov. Paimer-1 baye no objection to the gen
tlemen named taking as much time AZ they regard
necessary according to their view OF the public tn
ierest; but at the same time feel that this petit
TONER has
> RIGHT TO BE HEARD.
and II the hearing can be had 1t once he ought to
be relieved from the custody Of the officer