The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-09-22

hiSu Sart WIN yVu lahC w hiSb ini'
morning, Mr. Whti" asked the Judge oI
the Attorney for the Commonwealth soor
after The opening Of the Hastings Court
yesterday morning.
al am ready in the Marvin case" re-
sponded Mr.. Witt.
There are three cases against him on
my Docket" said the Judge; (which one
will you take up firsti"
"Thst for bigamy," be answered.
Then 10y direction Of Mr.. Witt Mr.. Clerk
JinkIns called the witnesses for the Com.
monw eHlth, and most OF them answered Ia
their names.
Up to this time the prisoner was seated In
the prisoners box. He had a morning pa
per in his hand. Sometimes he seemed 10
be reading, but the affairs OF the country
evidently did not have firm hold upon bis
mind aud bis eyes often wandered OF fIom
the print. Then be would fold the paper.
Soon he would unfold II and commence
reading Il again. His demeanor was quiet
and natural enough, but showed anxiety Of
mind. Mr.. Samuel NJ. Page. who has been
acting as counsel for accused, having taken
bis seat at the bar, the prisoner wos invited
over by the Deputy Sergeant to take seat
beside Mr.. Page.
PERSONAL.
Judge Ould here came in and also took 8
seat al the bsr. Mr.. Witt informed the
Court that the Judge would assist in the
prosecution.
Mr.. Page asked for the indictment aud all
the papers in this case and for leave 10 re-
tire for private conversation with the pri-
soper, which was granted.
They were absent from the courtroom
only about ten or fifteen minutes. In the
mean time, however, the Judge heard the
case OF q iquOr.dealer who bad been con-
yicttd in the Police Court OF selling liquor
on Sunday, aud who was summoned to
show cause why his license should not be
revoked in accordance with the rule OF this
Court laid down in June last. Mr.. M. l..
Spolswood appeared as counsel for The &C.
eused, but was unable TO show bis Honor
any cause why the license should not he re-
yoked; and ii was accordingly revoked.
MORTON MARvIN's MOTION.
Mr.. Poge said that he desired 10 make Il
motion, and he asked that General Morton
be sworn. The clerk swere the General.
Mr.. Page: Please state whether you are
prepared o make your defence at this time /;
and II YOU'RE not, state why.
Prisoner am not prepared. / have had
no opportunity OF communicating with my
witnesses and with my friends. could not
have any letters brought to me except their
contents were first made known to the Off
GERS OF the Jail. | considered it incOmpati'
bic with my interests to expose my letters
10 the jailer, and through him give TO the
district attorney my line OF defence.
Mr.. Psge: Tell the Court are you pre-.
pared 10 defend this case now.
Prisoner: l am not prepared to defend
this case now.
BTGAMY WARRANT.
Mr.. P,ge: When was this warrant
served on you
The warrant in question charged him
with marrying Jennie - This acknow-
ledged wife) and Miss Turpin. The pre-
yious warrant bad charged him with marry
ing Mrs. Nellie De Hart and Miss Turpin.
Prisoner lwho was stnnding by the side
OF his counsel: IL was served on me in
the Police Court yesterday about 10 or IL
O'Clock.
Mr.. Page: Had you any idea that this
charge would be made
Prisoner Up to that time had no idea
that this charge would be madef
Mr.. Page then moved to continue tbe
case until The first day OF the next term or
to some other day.
TIME WANTED TO PREPARE.
Mr.. Psge said he submitted this motion
for the reason that this man, no matter what
his crime, is entitled to q defence and TO
time 10 prepare for IL. Mr.. Page said, also,
that when be consented in the Police Court
to defend accused 10 lbe best Of his ability,
accused was frank enough TO tell him he was
irving 10 secure the assistance OF an older
and more able lawyer. Since his indict-
ment he (Mr. Page. as bis COUNSEL had had
no opportunity 10 prepare for his defence,
even IL the prisoner were a man "tO the
manner born."
ONLY TwENTY-slX HOURS.
Mr.. Page bad to leave the city Tuesday,
and saw the indictment for the 1rst time
this morning. The prisoner was entitled to
a copy OF ii and TO some little time 10 make
a defence. The accused bad been In Jail and
could do nothing, while the Commonwealth
had practically unlimited power and money.
This warrant, said Mr.. Page, was only
served on accused at 10 O'Clock Tuesday
morning. Only tweniy-six hours have been
allowed him to prepare for bis defence, and
he has never seen copy OF the indictment.
Under these circumstances he asked the
Court for a reasonable delay. lie asked
until the next term Of the court. The pri-
sOner, he declared, with "fOlded hands
and mauaeled limbs" asked for this justice,
and Mr. Page had no doubt his Honor
would listen 10 the appeal.
MR.. WITT OBJECTS TO A CONTINUANCE UNTIL
TRE NEXT TERN.
MFR. Witt said he would resist the motion
for a continuance. In reference 10 the
statement OF the prisoner, he would say that
this prisoner has never been denied by the
authorities the right 10 correspond with his
friends in a proper manner. The Iailer
never said be snould not have every means
in his power 10 confer with his friends.
On the contrary, Colonel Young, the eoun-
sci for the accused, bad been told that
any letter that this man would write
should be mailed il Colonel Young
said so. He Mr.. Witt had never
seen one of his letters and never wanted
10 see line OF bis letters. The order oil
this court was that the iailer should treat
this prisoner Just as every other prisoner
was treated. Witnesses had come here
from Wisconsin. Chicago, New Haven, and
New York to testify in this case, and they
were here In order TO see that justice should
be done to all parties. Witnesses were
here whereby full and free investigation
could be hsd, and now Mr.. Page wanted
them to delay the case.
POOR NAN.
AS to the charge that this matter bad Just
been sprung upon Marvin, Mr.. Witt said
this man had been 10 iall charged with
bigsmy fora month. The face OF this war
rant had been changed, and be Is simply
oharorod MIN marrrino one Mnmnn lnsleAd