The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1880-11-18
that CHINESE LETTER.
AN ELABORATE DECISION.

NEW YORK, November 13.-Judge Davis
this morning rendered an elaborate decision
in the ease of Kenward Philip, charged with
criminal libc. on Gen. Garfield 1.-The ac-
cused," his honor says, sis charged with
two ohcnses First, that he wrote
so-caled letter, counterfeiting the sigma
ture of Gen. Garfield thereto, and, see
Ond that after General Garfield made a pub
lie denial of having written such letter, the
accused wroIe an editorial, Lying and Stick
iny 10 It, asserting that Gen. Garfield was Il
liar in denying the authorship of it. 1t is
apparent his honor says, THAT no such
person As Henry l.. Morey existed at Lynn,
Mass. The letter, he also holds it unques-
tionabiy forgery, and not in the handwrit-
ing of Gen. Garfield. The question Of the
guilt or innocence of Phiip must be left to
the jury to determine. The defendant is
held to answer to the charge of criminal IL
bel. and must be committed or give bail.
Judge Davis dwclls on the question of the
genuness of the Morey letter As OF great inn
portancc in considering the ease. lie decd-
ed that the accused should be held to answer
unless he could show that Gen. Garfield
wrote the letter, and. in fact, was held to be
liar when he denied having written it, but
the evidence showdcd the letter TO be IL for
gerry and the non-eXistence of such person
as Henry l.. Morey. Judge Davis continues
Mr. Hewitt's connection with this letter and
the transactions that have grown out of il
are. to say the least, of a most extraordinary
character. According TO the testimony of
Mr.. Hart, when he received the letter in the
very singular manner in which he did,
his suspicious were aroused, and he saw its
Importance. if genuine, as weapon OF
deadly power in the hands Of Garlicld's po-
ltical foes. lie was not satisfied TO publish
it upon the examination which be and his
editorial staff could make. and, therefore.
took the letter and envelope TO the Democrat
ic National Committee for inspection. lie
there saw Mr.. Hewitt, Mr.. Barnum, Mr.. Ran
dali. and several Others. Mr. Hart showed
them the papers, and said. in substance. that
he did not want 10 publish the letter il it
was a forgery. but if genuine. he did. and
wanted no other paper 10 get ahcai OF him IN
its publication. lie says il was examined by |
all the persons named. but Mr.. Hewitt made |
the most minute examination, and spent |
fully half an hour in its examination. and |
then pronounced the letter. both body and |
signature. to he in the handwriting of Gen. |
Garfield. Photographs were then taken for |
the use of the National committee, aud MIR. |
Hart returned with the letter to his office, |
but his mind was not fully satisfied. Late in |
the evening he sought and found MIR Hewitt |
again. and was again assured tait Hewitt
had examined large number of General
Gariiclds letters. and that the Morey letter
was genuine. and this was clinched by i'm
pressing Mr. Harris mind with the idea that |
he would haze made it out forgery if he
could. 1t is not very surprising that Mr..
Hart. with the usual anxiety Of the newspa-
per publishers TO he ahead OF their neigh
bors. should have published the letter with
ont further inquiry but it is astounding
that man of known sagaciiy. of great eXpc-
rience in business and in public affairs. and
who is supposed 10 have decent respect for
truth and justice. and who speaks as an eX-
pert in writing with all the suspicious of
which attended the reception
of the latter, with the envelope and it. eras-
ures before him. with the city postofiice and
station stamp on its back. the letter marked
"personal and CONFIDENTIAL and addressed
to some person whom he certainly did not
know. with the letter before him-.he con-
tents of which. il true. would be greatly in
furious. and if false. would do wrong to his
intimate friends rs a base and wicked assas-
sins stab-shouid have thought il just TO
print and cause its publication without first
NIL doubts rs TO its character.
However much equitable division NAV leave
for other. upon Mr.. Hewitt must rest lar
ger share of the responsibility of the first
publication of base and shameful forgery,
and his subsequent action does not liz a sin
gle shadow from his conduct. He was a
member of the National Committee. He
doubtless knew the extent and purpose for
which il was taken and used by that Com
nittee and that il went forth to the country .
with the sanction OF his endorsement. He ,
Knew beyond question that il met speedily |
viii, the indignant denial Of Gen. Garfield. /
who denounced the letter as base and stu
Did forgery and sentiments rs brutal
The Judge also says: My mind hiss reached
clear conviction that the sc-called Morey
etter in body. signature, and all its parts. is
lot in the handwriting of Gen. Garfield. but
5 altogether forgery. perpetrafed by some i
persons, or body of persons, tor the purpose I
# deceiving the people and defranding them q
md Gen. Garfield OF their votes. Evidence {
'earing upon Philips guilt or innocence Of I
orgery is volumnous, ana would demand a 1
areful analysis. Taken in connection with s
ther evidence in the case, il tends 10 estah- &
sh a conspiracy TO accomplish national u
rime. The conspiracy points to men in
Their quarters and far higher positions. OF
chom he may have been al accomplish or S.
nIy'a dupc and tool. II is better, therefore, /