New-York tribune., 1879-03-05
ABRUPT END OF THE CONTEST.


ABRUPT END OF THE CONTEST.
MR.. LORDS SURPRISES FOR THE COURT AND THF
sPECTAroRs-uE REFRAISs FROM SHARP CROSS
EXAMINATION AND SUBMITS THR CASE WITHOUT
ARGUMEST-NN EXCITING sCENE II THE CoURr-
ROoM-RUMOEs OF THE CAUSE OF IHIs SUD
DEN ACTION
The events of the day in the Vanderbilt will case
yesterday were a series Of surprises. These began
with the testimony Of Judge Charles \. Rapallo, Of
the Court of Appeals. He was confidential counsel
for the Commodore after 1886. and drew
all Of the wills he made after that
time Some Of these wills he skctched
IN outline; three Of them with their codics wero
read. They each told the same ftoY-that Tho
Commodore more than twenty years ago had made
William II. Vanderbilt ms resduary lcgatce and
continued him in that relation in each of the wills
or cOdics made OF modified almost every year.
In each of them also Cornelius ). Vanderbilt
was given small annuity, in none of them
a larger sum than he receives by his present Will.
Almost all the other bequests 10 wife, daughters,
relatives and friends were similar IN all these wills
to the corresponding bequests IN the VIII offered Tor
probate. This evidence, a. Mr.. Clinton expressed
it, showed the imposslbiiity Of the truth Of much
Of the testimony that had been Offered 10y the con-
tcstants.'
to cross-cxamine the witness at any length, as he
had done all the other witnesses Tor the proponcnt.
The conduct Of counsel during the progress Of this
examination was noticeable. There was none Of
the usual caustlc objection 10 testimony, none Of
the customary long arguments; in fact. everything
betoheued purpose to complete the the testimony
| as possible.
When William H. Vanderbilt was called to the
stand the courtroom was scarcely half filled.
! Within q short time, however, every seat was oc-
cnpied and many were turned away from the door.
| There was general expectation that the testimony
would be striking and sensational on the cross
! examination if not upon the direct Mr.. Choate
in the testimony Of various witnesses took up
the alleged uttcrauces by William II. Vanderbilt IN
regard To his influence over tho Commodore, his
purpose to prejudice the Commodore against Cor
nsnus J. and his attempt to turn to his own uses
the reported belief Of the Commodore ia Spiritual
ism. Each Of these uttcrances Mr. Vanderbilt de-
MED briefly but cmphatcay, scarcely raising his
voice above the low tone in which he usually con-
verses. The direct examination lasted about
twenty minutes.
When Nr. Lord BEGAN 10 crosS-cyamiue NJ Van
derbIt there wa, buzz Of comment aud several
whispered EXPLANATIONS. " Now for amu~cmeut,V
sad several eager spectators. Anumhcr OF ordinary
question, were asked that called on, long personal
explanation, by the witness, audaitcr about a Laf-
hour of tins examination Mr. Lord sat down That
is all" SAID he, quietly.
"AHw exclaimed Mr Clinton and Nr. ChOttc. in
breath; and tn. counsel looked at each oher with
complaccnt smiles.
Before Nh Vanderbilt had reached his seat no
was recalled 20 deny the allegations that had been
made concerning his relations with tuc wldo" OF
Commodore Naud.rb while she was still Miss
Crawford. IIc>p,ke more emphatlcaly than before
when be declared the fal,ity Of the,e assertions.
" That closes orr ease, said Mr. Clinton
This was not nearly much OF surprise as
what followed Mr. Lord SAID that they would SUBJ
mt their ease without summing up "WelI agree
70 that" said all the opposing counsel eagerly.
Then MI Lord, IN voice that betrayed some cmo-
ton asked TO have stricken from the record every
thing rejecting upon the character of Mrs. Wander
blt that had appeared there By their notion offer
or allegation. \ moment more and the trail Oh the
greatest viii case on record was at an end
There wa. general shaking of hands and cX-
change Of congratulations. LX-Jud2e Comstocl
grasped the hand of Mr. Lord, and SAID he trusted
all the unpleasantness of the trial forgot
ten. The friends Of William II. Vanderbilt
and Of Corlclus j. Vanderbilt seemed
equally pleased Mr. Choatc Is not man
much gwen TO sentimental demonstration,
but there was considerable warmth n hi, tones,
whcu shaking Mr. Lord by the hand. ne sand "
want 10 thank you for those words of yours about
Mrs. Vanderbilt. It was an expression that was
due to her and 70 you' That's why | said it,
answered lr Lord, cordially.
! "Wnat doe, 1t mean ~ half Of the spectators in
The cour,-room asked each other when the first as,
constituent at the sudden closing OF the ease was
over The general anticipation had been that the
testimony of the propoucut would be finished somo
timo next week; that Mr. Lord would
bring witnesses IN rebuttal who would Oc-
cupy the remaining time allotted to the case this
month"; and that 1t would then be thrown over for
completion next Autumn. In fact the counsel for
the proponcnt have frequently said they anticipated
such a result.
There seemed 70 be two explanations 10 the
events Of YESTERDAY One WAS that advanced by
the counsel TOR the prOponcnt-that tho
counsel for the contestant, confronted by
the testimony Of Judge Rapallo and
the pror vent. had abandoned the contest
! as hope, -. he other explanation and the ono
that was adopted by the majority that COM
promise or settlement had been effected between
the conteuding parties. In support Of this there
was the sudden change In Mr.. Lords manner, his
neglect to examine az any length tue two very inn
portant witnesses yesterday, his offer 20 submit tho
! case without summing up aud not least, the with
| drawal of the charges against Mrs Vanderbilt
| Coruelus j. Vanderbilt said tha: hc was not q
party to the contest and that, therefore no COM
! promise had been made with him. HIS relations
! with his brother renamed as before. Whether
! settlement had been effected with his sister no
could not say The counsel tor the propoueut denied
| all knowledge of a comPromlsc. From trusty-
/ worth, sources however, II was learned that a
/ c,.onroutsp had Dceu made. by which Cornelius j.