The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-25
LAWYERS AT LOGGERHEADS.

WOODBURY. AND MIR. coRTLANpr PARKER
PERSONALITIES THREATS, TEARS AND ApoL-
oeIEs.
In the Passaic County Circuit Court room at Pat
erson. n. j.. there was enacted yesterday morning
scene such Is not frequently witnessed in court
OF law. Two prominent lawyers OF the State of New
Jersey Indulecd In some little rccrmnations; OF
them threatened to resort to physical force. The
presiding Judge intiiuated that he would severely
punish the offenders; whereupon both burst into
tears. begged each others and the Courts pardon.
and peace and harmony were restored amid tears
and promises OF good behavior. Though apparently
the pzrtook OF the ridiculous than of the
pathetic stii the silence. almost breathless that
rcigned I'm the court room while It was being
enacted showed that the spectators wero affected as
we'll a. thc Court and counsel.
The case trial that Of william Collier. Cor
nclins &. Van Houtcn and william Kicking. charged
with eonspirng TO ruin sismopd Dringer. Ono Of
the aefcndants william Hickling was on the stand
aud Prosecutor Woodruff was severely cross-examin-
ing him In regard 10 his knowledge of
the criminal career OF Collier. another of
the defendants. who had been In jail on
charge Of and had also been convicted of libel
and served term Of Imprisonment therefor. Col
lier IL m Canada and docs not appear for
trial. and the prosecutor drawing the
facts % tbs case from different witnesses.
contrary 20 tho objection OF Mr.. Cortlandt Parker.
Who represented tho defence. Mr. Woodruff was
asking Mr. Healing about the llbelious matter when
he was interrupted by Mr.. Parker. who said 81
thank you have been throwing mud enough and
fhink this dirty conduct has been continued already
too long" This seemed 90 electrify Mr.. Woodruff.
who AZ once sprang 10 his feet. and. shaking his
cllnched rs; in Mr.. Parkors face fairly screamcd:
Let nae tell you. Mr. Parker. that have stood all
intend TO from You here. and before Almighty God
the next time you say anything Ike that you'll
drop"
Had bomb exploded in the middle OF the room
the persons present could not have been more
astoundod. aud every held his breath TO SEQ
what would next ensue. Judge Dixon looked cooliy
the scene and remarked that another outburst OF
passion like the one he mad just witnessed would
suit unp.eassntly. In the meantime tho
Prosecutor Was walking up and down before tho
bench in very cxeitei manner. continually NUT
terins The ideaf Dirty work. III u going too
far! and similar cxprossions. When he had quiz
eted down somewhat he resumed the cross-examina-
ton OF the witness on the stand aud msrcilessly
worried hins. AR. Parker being apparently
too much Affected TO Offer objection to
any question. When tho witness lott the
stand Judge Dixon then said he had come to the
conclusion that the breach Of decoruIn just wit
iscssed could not with propricty be passed without
notice. 80 gross violation OF court rules must
TO interrupt the pr0grs OF the case but
IL concluded ho would take such action in the
matter ~ he saw IT.
AroLoaIxs
Al this Mr.. Woodruff arose aud said that no was
heartily sorry tor what had occurred. Mr.. Parker
had the day before insulied HIM in gross
that he had not slept wink all night. This had
made HIM rascibls and has temper had gotten the
Nir. Parker said that Mr. Woodruff had evidently
misunderstood him. Tho Prosecutor had dragged
into the case AL sorts of Irrelevant matter aud
nj A a
tho Jury lac had becone rritsted aud in the heat OF
passion had said what he was truly sorry tor. rne
kindest feelings had always existed between himself
aud Mr.. Woodruff. and ~ would hurt him greatly to
have those feelings changed. He hoped the Court
would not ike severe Wow of thss uniniertlonai
outburst Ut feeling. Az tar he hinlsclf was con-
with pride 10 tile fact that lac had always made IL
pontto preserve due decorunl in ,hs presence Of
the Court. aud he hoped the Court would not eou-
sider hia guilty OF ANY grossness.
MIR. Woodruff Again arose to address tho Court.
but for some seconds has voice choked with
sobs and tears coursed down his cheeks. lie. how
ever. ssmfnercd out. In voice husky with emotion.
that the previous day Mr.. Parker had grossly in-
suited him. He had never felt AN insult - keeniy.
aud 1t this that deprived HIM OF sleep. Mr..
Parker had insnustei that lao lthe Prosecutor had
poeuniary interest IN the convction OF the
had been changed into persecution. ii. had
sent for witnesses To prove that lac had
Eris-Dringer litigation. and that mo had refused It
because ho had been Informed the
coming up before the Grand Jury. IL was only
when knew that has duty TO the state and his
duty to his client would not conflict that he had
consented 10 act counsel In the civil for Mr..
Dringer. lie deplored the outbreak OF passion into
when lac had fallen. Mr.. Woodruff then sank back
into his seat completely overcome aud weeping like
u child.
Nj. Parker said that his friend. the Pros.c utor.
must certainly have misunderstood him tho day
previous. Waiter Van hoaten. "a son OF one OF the
defendants. Ia the belt business tor himself hav
ing SUCCEEDED his father. Who had retired altogether
from the business The latter was ON the stand aud
the Prosecutor was endeayoring to wiring from him
acknow ledgnent that he was secretly Interested
III has sons business Mr.. Parker thought to him.
sclf-"My learned friend has some AK alnst Mr..
Van Houten and Is ondeavoring to establish has
cuniary responsibility. He had intinatcd some
thing of the kind. but in very jocular way. He
was, however very sorry Tor what he had said In an
unguarded moment.
Mr. woodruff assured Mr.. Parker that he was
counsel in no case against Mr.. Van Houten except
Mr. Parker continued that nobody doubted that
and thought that be- too. was entitled to
si!eratiou account Of the frame OF mind hc
IN. He hoped the Court would not judge too harshly
Of q moncntary flight OF passion. Mr.. Parker eyes
moist with tears rs he RESUMED his seat.
Judge Dixon stated that IN his remarks lac had not
been actuated by any personal consideration, but
only by sense OF the respect due 20 the Court. hc
pleased ut the explanas ions offered. lie had ut
first spoken of the matter in general terms. but
now. in justice to AIR. Parker. he would state that
though the latter remarks had been far from being
blancioss, yet that they were not rcprchensibic
to justify the gross violation OF which the states
Attorney had made himself guilty. lie deemed that
the dignity the Court sufficiently vindcated
by the apologies and explanations offered.
EEsUMISo TiIE HEARING.
The examination OF witnesses was then continued,
but Mr. Parker was 80 affected that lac Withdrew
from the for the balance OF the mornings
sion, and intrusted the management OF IL 10 hts
son, Il. Wayne Parker. la the afternoon Mr..
Cortandt Parker returned 10 the cement OF the
case, aud tnere another scene narrowly svoidca
Mr.. Cornelius q. Van Houten, one of tho accused,
had testified that his son had kept daily
memoranda of the transaction. in Drneer's
yard without his knowledge and approval. and
this evidence had been corroborated by Waiter Van
Houten. Mr.. Aaron polhamus. an OLD aud highly
respected citizen. had however. testified for the
that Mr. G. q. Van Houien had shown him these
memoranda when IL was presumed lac did hot know
or their existence. Yesterday afternoon he was re-.
called and identified the memorandum boog. had
been produced In the meantime. and on eruss-exam-
nation replied to question of Mr.. Parker by saw.
ing that MIR. &. G. Van Houtcn had informed him
that Dringcr being closely watched and was
going TO get Into trouble. cit seems every minute
you remember something worse against us." testify