Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-28
THE GARFIELD CHINESE LET.
TER.

NEW YORK, Oct. 2S-In the trial before Judge
Davis to DAY, In regard to the alleged forged
Garfield letter on Chinese la Dor, the prosecu-
tion demanded the production OF the original
letter from which the Photographic copy was
made. Joseph Hart, one OF the proprietors OF
he has the original letter. but declined TO pro-
ouce II at the present time. His counsel sail
they would produce the original when they
deemed proper time had arrived The Cour
committed Hart for contempt The further
near1DE OF the case was postponed ultll co,n-
mitment papers had been made out.
The Letter to be Produced this AZ
TIE counsel for Philip have decided 10 p-oduc,
tie original Morey letter in court thiS after
noon. The proceedings I'm the case attracted 4
lsTge crowd OF spectators. The charge upoa
which Philip is arraigned Is malicious libel on
Gen. Garfield.
Col. Rockwell tl.e First Witness.
Ju6ge Davis occupied the bench, ana there
was a full array OF counsel on both sides AS
sistant District Attorney Bell for the people,
called as first witness Col. A. r. Rockwell L. S.
A OF Washington. He testified he has known
Gen. Garfield twenty, seven years; was his class
mate. and graduated with him at college; ia hi
extensive correspondence with CARRIED more
than one thousand letters had passed be-
tween them: witness was therefore perfectly
familiar with Garfield'S handwriting.
lithcgraph was handed witness and tden.
tilted by him as the copy OF a letter received by
Linn in December from Garfield. Mr.. Bell asked
the counsel for the defeTSe il they had the
original MoTey letter in court. In reply they
stated that they old Tot propose TO answer THAI
question at the present tine. photograph o
the letter, In gilt frame was handed Ia by
the defense.
Inquiry as TO The Whereabouts OF
the Original Letter.
Mr. Bell declined to receive this and again
called Tor the original, in order that he might
examine Col. Rockwell in regard to IT. The
counsel for Philip stated that the original letter
Was not In the possession of their client, but
IVES held by Mr. Hart, the publisher OF the paper
IN which 1t first appeared. This latter was in
court and was called to the witness stand
Hart said he had not the original Morey letter
with him. 1T was in possession OF a friend, but
he declined TO give his name. Witness could
not procure tie letter as his friend was out OF
town.
Hart Committed for Contempt of
. Court.
Ny. Bell demanded the name OF the party TO
whom the letter had been delivered, but Hart
again refused to answer. The court ordered
him to answer, but he again In a respectful
tone declined. Judge Davis ordered him CON-
mltted for contempt OF court and he was
handed over to the custody OF Police Captain
Walsh.
Mr.. Howe made motion to purge Hart from
contempt saying that Hart was willing TO pro-
duce the letter. and that he wanted guaran-
tee that the letter should be returned to him.
Mr.. Howe explained that he did not mean to
say that the court would take the letter, but
that 1t might pass into subordinate hands and
oC iOct. SOhlinuiDS NIL t1UWS StlU llltI IL Iut
letter was TO remain in the custody OF Judge
Davis, Hart was willing to produce It. Answer
ing Judge Davis said that the Letter would re-
main i'll his custody.
Hart Leaves to Get the Letter.
On motion, Hart was allowed three hours to
go With the counsel and procure the letter.
Hart made statement that he was willing to
produce the letter, but that he wanted a guar
antee that ii would be returned to him or else
remain In the custody of Judge Davis, which
was agreed to. Mr. Hart and his counsel then
left TO get the letter.
Col. Rockwell Recalled.
Col. Rockwell was recalled and asked as ID
the identity OF the letter written by James A.
Garfield to Marshall Jewell, denying the authen-
ttcitE OF the Morey letter. lie testified thai
Garfield's letter TO Jewell was genuine.
Question by Mr.. BeiI:-Look at the copy OF the
newspaper called Truth, and also at the copy
dated 20th. Look at the photo lfthograph;c
copy OF the letter purportiHg to be signed by
James A. GARFIELD, and state If In your judg-
ment IL Is 1n Gen. GaIfeld'S handwriting.
Mr.. Brooks. for the defence, objected TO the
Photographic copy, and not with the original,
which would be produced.
Judge Davis ruled that the evidence was pre-
mature as no proof had been given that the fac
Sinfie was Photographic copy. and that the
prisoner had not as yet been connected with it.
l,ecesS was then taken till 2:31.
a SubpTna for Gen. Garfield.
IN the Philip libel case counsel for Hart has
prepared subpoena directed to James A. Gar
field commanding him to appear and testify at
the Investigation this afternoon. Counsel
Claims that Gen. Garfield is at the Windsor
Hotel though not REGISTERED.