Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1880-03-17
THE RIOT BRIBERY TRIALS.
KEMBLE, sALTER, CRAWFORD AND RUM
BERGER PLEAD GUILTY.

Salter. kemb.e, CRAWFORD anu NUM-
berger was unexpected. Mr. Wolfe
said it was done because they knew
conviction was inevitable and feared
further exposure. He claims to have
accumulated large quantity of addi-
tional evidence, which would have let
in daylight on other men, back OF
Kemble and the others, which this
plea of guilty prevents his producing
in Court. All but Kemble made
simple plea Of guilty, while he pleaded
"ouilty Of corrupt solicitation. az
stated before the committee, and pro-
tests that he never offered anE money
or thing of value to either or any OF
the persons named in the bill OF IN
dictment.n This his counsel ex-
planned to mean that he plead guilty
only so far az log rolling" was con-
cerned; that is by promising votes Tor
other bills for votes for the riet bill.
Judge Pearson objected to this plea
being entered, lest it be used afterward
in the Supreme Court to set aside the
sentence. He said it means guilty
and yet not guilty"
Ultimately, counsel presented plea
of guilty., accompanying it with paper
which read: Defendant pleads guilty,
and by leave of Court lies this pro-
test that the plea is not to be construed
as an admission on the part OF said
defendant that be did ccruptly offer
any money or thing Of value unto any
or either Of the persons named In the
Indictment"
None of the defendants named are
in the city. Rumberger is in Arm
strong county where his wife is said
to be lying dangerously ILL., Matt
Carpenter and Judge Black arrived at
late hour this afternoon. The pro-
ceedings did not commence in Court
until halfpast two P. NJ, when Messrs-
VIM. B. Mann, +. Carroll Brewster.
VIM. n. Armstrong, Lewis c. Cassi-
day, Charles Albright. A. j. Herr and
X. "A. Lamberton, all of the defense, ap-
peared. or the defendants, Messrs.
CLARK, Petroff, Shoemaker, Smith and
Leisenring were in the Court. They
will plead mot guilty" and stand trial.
1t is thought none of them can be con-
yicted. Chris. Longs case was
called, but postponed because Of his
severe illness, and the Commonwealth
were unprepared to proceed with the
other cases, but will go ahead to-
morrow.
PETR0TF ON TRIAs.
HARRISBURG, March 9-The selec-
ton of jury in the Petroff case was a
matter of considerable dispute. After
the first twelve jurors had been drawn.
the Commonwealth ordered three to
stand aside. Judge Pearson rather
sharply said that could not he done.
Mr.. Gowen took issue with this de-
cision, and said the Commonwealth
was prepared with abundant authority
to prove their right to have jurors
stood aside.
The Court said they would be bound
by authorities, and asked for them.
saying it was competent to stand
Jurors aside in the Over and Terminer.
but it had never been heard of in the
Quarter Sessions.
Mr.. Gowen then read a number OF
authorities, after which Mr.. Brewster
briefly addressed the Court in all ef-
fort to controvert the Commonwealth g
authorities.
Mr.. Simonton followed and was re-
piled to by Mr. Brewster, during
which the Court interrupted. and said
that under the authorities cited by the
Commonwealth. the three jurors must
stand aside. The defence took an ex-
cepti0n. Three more jurors were
drawn and took their places, and the
right to challenge was literally exer-
cised by both sides, number OF Ju-
rors being stood aside on account Of
having formed or expressed opinions
as to Petrofrs guilt or innocence. FL
nally, at halfpast l2 o'clock, O jury
was secured, and Court adjourned un-
til this Afternoon at 2 o'clock.
HARRISBURG, March 9.-The morn
ing session Of the Court has been
frittered away by little quibbliDe
among the lawyers, and beyond the
drawing of jury to try Petroff7s case
ncthing further has been accomplished.
Kemble's plea Of guilty has been ac-
cepted, and the Judge has announced
that it will be time enough to pass
sentence when all the cases have been
disposed OF. Before Kemble's plea
was accepted an hour was wasted by
counsel for the defense consulting in
the ante-room concerning the shape in
which they would enter the protest.
The Judges patience was wearied out
at last and he exclaimed that enough
time had been wasted for an Indian
pow-wow to be held. Kemble is not
here, nor any Of the other defendants
who have pleaded guilty. A friend Of
KembIe's, who came up from Phila.
delphia this morning, says he saw
Kemble at his bank on Fourth street
Yesterday at O'Clock, after the news
had been received that the plea oi
guilty had been entered in his name
and that he seemed as unconcerned
and undisturbed as though he were in
no way connected with the suit. AT
ter Kemble's case was Disposed Of, the
witnesses against LcisenriDg, Of Mauch
Chunk, were called for, but one. Rep
resentative Zern, not appearing, it was
laid over, and the case Of Petrol
called. He was on hand in the Court
room, sitting between his counsel
Judge Brewster and Col. VIM. u
Mann, Of Philadelphia. Judge Brews
ter was at first disposed to ask for the
continuance Of that case till another
day, because Of the absence Of two
witnesses for the defense, but after
wards stated it was believed they
were on the road, and therefore the
case would be proceeded with.
Judge Brewster desired to challenge
for cause each juror as he was called
but Judge Pearson objected until the
box was full, when the counsel for the
prosecution desired four Of the jurors