National Republican., 1880-10-30
BARNUM'S BUNGLING JOB.
A Complete Exposure Of the Chinese
Letter Forgery.
The Envelope shows Il Never Was Sent
to Lynn-Desporate straits OF
Darnum, Hewitt g. Co.
Barnum's Last Desperate Resort.


As william II. Barnum, chairman of tho demo-
cratic committee, has telegraphed over the coun'
try that Philip, the writer OF the Chinese letter. Is
being tried for libel instead 81 forgery II ought to
be understood that lie statutes ofthc state Of New
York contains no provision for the punishment for
theforger OF letter such as the Morcy letter,
nil statutory provisions on the subject of forgery
being confined 10 the forgery Of papers or sigma
lures affecting rights of property In order, there
fore to bring the offender to justice II was neces-
sary TO charge him with the oiicnse of criminal
libel against General Garfield. The democrats an
ticlpoted the charge would be that OF forgery,
and they expected to dismiss 1t on The
ground that no legal oHcnso was charged.
IL has been to-day conclusycly shown by
The evidence OF the postoflce officials, whom
the defense declined 10 crossexamlne, that the let
ter never went through the mail to Lynn. but that
the envelope produced as having contained II was
an envelope addressed to New York city.
upon which the address and oil The dates
have been altered. Hart, the owner of
the Truth is the variety actor known as Josh
Hart 10 avoid being committed to jail he to-day
produced the original envelope. Mr.. Barnum has
telegraphed that his thus escaping implies that
the Morey letter Is not forgery, when In fact Hart
has not been accused of the forgery, but the pro-
cecdngs are against Philip, and no oneherc doubts
that he will be convicted.
MARSHALL JE WELL, Chairman.
Tho Hearing Before Judge Davis Yesterday.
NEW York, Oct 29.-The examination of Ken
wnrd Phlp charged with a criminal libel upon
General Garfield, was resumed before Judge Davis
In the supreme court this morning. There was
large crowd of spectators present. The envelope
In which the Morey letter was contained was
handed to Judge Davis, and, OH motion of counsel,
Mr.. Hart was declared purged OF contempt.
Albert S. Southworth an expert in handwriting
of fifteen years experience, and one of the wit
nesses in the Whitaker case, testified that he did
not think the Morey letter and the Jewell and
Rockwell letters were written by the same person,
but that the Morcy letter was written by the same
person who wrote the exhibits marked A to X
tPhips lettcrs).
Of Troy, an expert in handwriting. The witness
had examined the Morey letter and the photo and
photo.lithographic copies OF 1t, together with ex-
hibits A TO X and his opinion was that the person
who wrote the exhibits wrote the Morcy letter
The Morey letter was evidently the writing of
person initiating anothers hand, Introducing how
ever strong characterlstics ofh own II exhibit
A, IN the signature OF Kenward Philip *" Is ex.
actly similar to "K' IN Kept IN the Morey letter
Witness found other similariies in the letters. He
had examined the photo-lithographic copies Of ex
hibts Nos. and and the originals thereof (Rock-
well and Jewell letters) and he declared they were
not IN the same handwriting.
Witness then shown by Mr.. Stoughton flor
prosecution) the envelope produced this morning,
and was asked II there had been any erasure on
Tho stamp, and he answered In the affirmative.
Continuing, he said There is an erasure on the
stamp in the date of the month. cannot say
what the original date was Indications are that
the date and month have been erased by rubbing
On the back of the envelope stamp date there are
indications OF erasnIe; the date and month cannot
velope In which no dates can be made out, all the
dates seemingly being erased"
Allan NJ. Leet, a newspaper reporter, was cx-
amned by the prosecution: Was familiar with
Philips handwriting: exhibits A to were, witness
was Of opinion, in Philips handwriting; had seen
photolthograph of the Morey letter aud believed
4 IN ha I'm inOuuht
he first saw copy; Philip always had the habit OF
spelling such words as "companies' and similar
letter this mistake Is made.
would like an adjournment as ne mad other wit
pected, he said, witness from Lynn, Mass, who
had not yet arrived and that Mr.. Payne, his other
expert witness, was lying sick and unable to at
This was objected to by Mr.. Brooke, and General
Pryor (also for the dclelse) said ho thought It was
due to his side to allow him to produce tho proc
of the genuinencss of the letter.
Mr. stough,on shook his head.
General Pryor continuing said: "Ahl | wei
knew my friend would shake his head. IL Is moi
the purpose OF the prosecution TO allow US TO pro
ceed with our evidence so that VIII ley II have IL
legitimate effect in the country" Applause
Judge Dayis-Onicers put out those in the real
portion of the room.
This was speedily done, and Mr.. Stoughton
arising suid that ne know now the reason why the
envelope had not been previously produced. The
stamps on II were not genuine, and witnesses tC
aud from Lynn. He denied the impulnliOn oil
General Pryor saying that the prosecution wa
honestly conducted and would be speedily con
tinued.
Mr. brooke replied, maintaining that If he haC
proof to offer to show the genuincness OF the letter
no adjournment should be granted, ana he shoult
beallOwed TO presentt The prosecution, lie contin
ued, could procure their witnesses by telegraphnl
for them and examining them when they arrived
was conducted for public clamor, aud not for III
purpose of conyicting or having held for trial tn
defendant who, he lamed, had waived an exam
inaton and demanded u speedy trial. which tn
prosecution would not allow. lie was ready an'
anxious TO disproye the charge OF the falsy of tn
letter, and demanded rs his right an opportunlt!
Diminishing such proofs without adjournment.
This was objected to by MI. Bell and COlonc
Bliss who asserted that he had already teegraphe'
to Washington for witnesses and thought the
would be here by tomorrow, but the residence o
one witness who resided in Massachusetts was nc
Judge Davs-owng to the national slgnlnconc
of this feel It my duty to SIT as an cxaminin
magistrate and though II is not usual for Il juStiG
In the supreme court TO SO use his authority Il
not without precedent Chiet-Justlce Mansfield, Il
case similar TO ihls' SO sat ana committed u
If this letter was in fRct written by General Gul
field, as an expression Of the sentiment he onte
unworthy of him, but should condemn him, Ther
is no possible doubt think, in the minds {
thinking men in this country that tho idea will
which this letter clOses-thut the treaty with greO
power SO far as population is concerned the larges
on the earth, should not be abrogatcd unt
served on the question Of labor, simpl
means until they are supplied to their sat
1action with the cheap labor of the Chinese
such sentiment uttered by a presidential Cuid
date would ns Il matter OF course, have "A most II
rous effect but II It be not genuine aud torger
every thinking man not only Will admit but wi
at once entertain with pleasure the thought tbs
the forger should be promptly ana severely con
demned Now under such circumstances feel
10 be my duty to sit us examining magistrate an
10 issue my warrant, not for the purpose OF sui
serving The interests of any party,
approach TO me has ever been mad
Oh that subject by any person connecte
with any party, and 1t Is not my intei
ton so To conduct this as to lead to any othC
Than perfect and absolute truth. This applicatio
for adjournment is an ordinary one and would /
granted. II Is in conformity with universal prO,
tce. and besides, on the part OF the prosecution
extra delays have been occasloned by the non.pr,
10 postpone the hcaringm the first place somethn
more than three hours, and then By resort TO whi
must appear 10 every one q very strict constructo
Oflanguagc, the envelope was not iOrthcomin
snd five hours more were consumed. These exit
delays caused loss Of nearly half day, thong
the counsel IN this case are not blamab!e for thi
am not willing 10 be put in u false position, all
will give both sides every opportunity 10 prcsel
their evidence, II the prosecution are not read
ihe delense can proceed and give way when Il
prosecution are ready. VIII adjourn the case u
When the court reassembed at o'clock Gener
Pryor and Mr. Brooke Of counsel for decnso Ell
tered accompanied by Hon, Abgam 5, Hew
whose presence gave rse to report that he WAS
be called to the stand NS witness for lhe delenSe.