National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-06
A REMARKABLE CASE.

Samuel Strong's Battle with the District
General Butler Defends Judge Humphreys.
The cases Of Samuel Strong against the Dis
trict of Columbia continue to occupy the
attention Of the Supreme Court fthe District,
Despite the inclement morning another large
audience was in attendance at the chamber,
obviously to witness the developments and hear
the arguments of the respective counsel. Tho
plaintiff to offset the aflidavits of Messrs. Miller
and Riddle, in regard to the condition of the
Judge while the case was upon hearing obtained
a number of dispositions contradictng the
statements of these two gentlemen.
Henry G. Addison, foreman Of the jury that
tried the cause, made an affidavit that during
the progress of the trial and from the time the
testimony was commenced mp to the rendering
of the verdict the presiding Judge was entirely
free from the influence of intoxicating liquor,
aud conducted the trial without exhibiting
any evidence of having partakou thereof
james Edwards, Robert V. Hughes George
w Williams, James Jones, Eugene p Minor
james Storum, and Samuel Strong all swear to
the sobriety of the Judge aud to his being in a
mental condition to preside over the case. Mr.
Strong further states that both Mossrs. Riddle
and Miller, counsel for tho District, were
absent from the courtroom during the hearing
of the evidence nd only entered when the
Judge was delivering the charge to the jury.
Consequently IL was not IN their power TO state
either the mental or physical condition OF the
presiding Judge.
MIR Miller concluded his argument about
noon, after having made very thorough pre-.
sontation Of his side of the case. General But
Ter followed for the plaintiff. and while touch
ing upon all the points involved in tho case he
engaged longest upon the famous stipulation,
and was particularly positive aud emphatic in
what he had to say concerning this agreement
He couteuded that II was revoked before the
time arrived for its going into effect.
But if it were allowed to stand then IL would
become an obstacle to the faithful prosecution
Of justice, and parties outside could control all
cases and prevent them ever reaching u hear
ing. Ii was the duty of a court to sec that a
client was not sold out by his attorneys and
| be permitted n chance for n fair trial. This
agreement undertook to say that the courts
decision should be nulity, no matter what it
might be. 1t proposed TO run the docket OF
Of the court. arrange its calendar to suit their
pleasure. try their cases when they felt dis
posed and pass them when they wished il
| they did not like the verdict. set it aside and
| try the cause again. The stipulation was null
and void Objectionable to public policy, aud II
was due to the administration of justice that
the court should put its heavy hand upon II
and say that such proceeding cannot stant
aud will not be tolerated as precedent for fu
ture repetition.
1t was an unholy, illegal, and lie would say
corrupt did he not believe no corruption WA
contemplated slipulation shameful in Conccp
ton and disgracefu in execution. The Judg,
was correct in finiug the parties to the agree
ment for contempt, but erred for remittinl
them. That was an error Of the head and no
OF the heart, and to the action of the court il
imposing the fine all honest men would 81.
amen. He called attention to the affidavit o
Mr.. Riddle, and said it had no place on tn
records. and had it not gone to the public h.
should not have said anything about it, 'rhi
statement purports TO have been filed in tn
administration of justice, II that be so, thel
it was In the wrong Place. aud should hav
gone to the House of Representatives, wher
proper action doubtless would be taken Ii
regard to the Judge INDUCING in liquor Ia
could only say that it reminded him OF stor,
credited to President Lincoln.
1t is said that complaint was made to til
President that General Grant, while prescott
: ing his Virginia campaign, was drinking to
much whisky. The President turned to tn
complainant and asked if he would not sen,
to General Grant aud find ont where he OF
tanned his liquor, as he would like to give som
Of the same kind to others of his generals If
\ would only affect them the same way. III
!. thought so it might be said of the presidin
n Judge in this case, for his rulings had bee
S so clear, concise, and impartial that such equa
f ity in justice would prove highly beneficial
it could only become contagious. With tina
statement he dismissed the further consider.
ton of that matter.
In speaking Of the construction Of the iur
he maintained that the court possessed ampl
+, power and right strengthened by the free COT
, sent of the joint counsel, to replace excuse
jurymen even after the panel had been swOri
but before testimony was introduced.
> lie characterized In severe terms the attemI
n to keep upon the jury man employed by I'll
! District government, and who was appointe
p to place subsequent to being sworn ~ iur,
> man in the case. He charged that this WI
20 bribing juror, and attempting to block I'll
ends Of justice by preventing II verdict in fave
of Strong, and if nothing more could be accom-
> plishcd in their favor, at least to make it
e mistrial against the District.
y At the close Of this argument the court az
Il joumed until this morning, when Mr. Carpel
= ter will speak.
S A superb Cluster
Dt,,,,rl n,,,1 Law ;or md