Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-10-28
Secretary Hancock snd English Cir
Charged With Forging Gar1ield's Chinese
Letter.


NEW YORK, Oct. 27.-Kenward Phelps, edi-
torial writer On Truth, was arrested to-day in
Brooklyn on the charge of forgery in connec-
ton with the so-called Garfield Chinese letter.
He will be arralgned in the supreme court this
afternoon. His counsel has already applied
for his discharge ha6eas corpus. Another
report from Brooklyn says the arrest was made
on the charge of counterfeiting postoffice dies,
on a warrant granted IN the federal courts.
Phelps arrested in the lobby of the Park
theater, Brooklyn, while in conversation with
Sheriff Daggett, Republican leader in
Brooklyn, and other gentlemen. The arrest
was made upon warrant issued by Judge
Noah Davis presiding justice in the supreme
court. 1t charges Phelps with maliciously
composing and publishing an alleged forged
letter. Phelps and the officer, accompanied
by VIM. Veeder, a lawyer came over to police
headquarters in this city. After brief deten-
tion Phelps was taken to the supreme court.
Judge Davis being temporarily absent he was
detained in the district attorneys office. He
will be arraigned before Judge Davis later in
the day.
Phelps it is now stated was arrested on charge
of malicious libel and not as at first reported
for publishing an alleged forged letter.
3P.M MA long consultation took place in
the district attorneys Office between Assistant
District Attorney Bell, the United States COM
missioner, and John I. Davenport and Geo.
Bliss, who it is thought will represent the pros
ecution, and Gen. r. A. Pryor, Ex Surrogate
Veeder and Howe & Hummel, retained by the
defense. The nature of the consultation was
not made known. A few minutes before 3
o clock Phelo was taken to the general term
room of the supreme court, where the arrival of
Judge Davis was now awaited. x-Minister
Stoughton, Elihu ii. Root and Henry E. Lenox,
also appear for the prosecution. John 1. Dav-
export was also in court to watch the proceed
ings.
3:l5P. M.-Judge Davis opened court at 8
O'clock and Mr.. Bell stated that he desired to
make return to the warrant issued for arrest of
one Kenward Phelps, who was charged with
| having published criminallibel on James A.
Garfield. Mr.. Bell was proceeding to read the
| affidavits on which warrant was obtained, but
Mr.. Pryor objected and the judge decided
to allow them to be read. The first was made
by Col. George Bliss, and Mr. B ii had hardly
commenced when he was again interrupted by
Gen. Pryor, who stated that his clieut waived
examination and desired to have the matter
presented speedily to the grand jury 80 that
an early trial could be had. He was ready to
try the case tomorrow, and under these sir
| cumstauces it was not proper to read the
affidavit.
After some argument District Attorney Bell
read the affidavit of Col Geo. Bliss, who tes-
| titled that he had examined fac sinaile copy
VI tAt iSbtST Will otbtrS III MS pOSSeSSlOn IIOu
! Gen. Garfield and declared it a forgery; that
| he compared a photograph copy of the letter
with writings of the accused and on informa-
! tion and belief thought Phelps was the author
| of the letter. Afidavits sworn to by J. E.
Payne and Albert F. E. Payne and Albert F.
Southworth,, experts on handwriting,
original copy. in the hand writing of the ac-
cused of the article published in Truth. A
motion was then made to have the warrant
dismissed, on the ground that the afidavits
were not strong enough to support it. The
motiou was denied by Judge Davis, who held
that publication of the article, after its authcn.
ITCHY was denied which tended to bring odi-
um on the supposed author, was criminal
libel The examination was then adjourned
| until ii o'clock tomorrow morning. Phelps
furnishing 8 900 bail to appear.
Gen. Pryor, counsel for Philips, demanded a
speedy trial.
As the crowd was leaving the court room
three cheers for Hancock were called for and
given. The person who started the cry could
not be caught, though Judge Davis ordered bis
arrest.
From the Evening Post.
The charge of criminal libel, MIR. Stoughtor
explain ed, was in order to guard against any
possible difficulty in sustaining the simpl,
charge of forgery. Phelps appeared very non
chalent when arrested, and when a frient
asked him what he was arrested for, he re-
piled, II believe am arrested for forgin.
Beautiful Snow" The evidence agains
Phelps consists, in part, of expert testimon,
as to the forged letter, but it is understoot
that paper containing writing of the sam
character as that of the forged letter has beel
secured.
Furnished By the Republican Committee
NEW YORK; Oct. 27.-At the examination O
, Kenward Phelps to-day on charge Of havin