The Evening critic., 1881-11-24
HOWGATE'S CASE.
The Question OF Bail Considered
To-Day.

NhpN. iithig W. iioNbb Niib huh bho
thirteen indictments against him on the
charges of embezzlement and forgery was
brought into court this morning for the pur-
pose of having the matter of bail considered.
The courtroom presented quite different
appearance to that of the days when the
Gutcau trial has been in progress. There
was n long array of empty chairs, only
about twenty persons being in the room,
and most of these had the impression that
the assassins trial was to proceed, and
seemed greatly disappointed when they
found out differently. In order to accom-
modate all parties, the Court fixed the
hour Of hearing at $3.50 o'clock, but it failed
to be of much advantage, as the hearing
did not commence until 9:i5 a. m.
His Honor promised to be on hand at the
hour mentioned so that the counsel could
get through and go to church, but he
proved to be the tardy one, and kept the
case waiting fifteen minutes.
District Attorney Corkhill and Mr.. VIM.
A. Cook represented the Government, and
Messrs. Cuppy, Wilson and Williams the
defendant.
District Attorney Corkhill said that the
Government had indicted Capt. Howgate in
seven cases for embezzlcment and four for
forgery, involving about $150,000. Prop
erty purpOrting to belong to the defendant
has been attached by the Government, and
the other side doubt the legality Of that
proceeding They have taken steps to test
it, and he suggested that n decision be
reached before the question of bail be con-
sidered. He thought this the best course
TO pursue.
Mr. Cuppy thought this n novel course
to pursue and thanked the District-Attor-
ney for introducing the subject. He seemed
to think that the way to do was to get all
the bail that he could, and if it could not be
done now, to wait awhile until the time
came when it could be done. 1t was known
that all the property in which Capt. How
gate had n title was sequestratcd and they
could do nothing until these attachments
were dissolved. He thought that bail should
he fixed on ono of these indictments and
the defendant released on his personal rec
ognizance as to the rest. He did not think
bail should be made either excessive or OPP.
pressive
The man was here, his interests were
here, and there should be guarantee that
he would be present ready to respond when
called upon to answer. The prisoner thinks
himself able, after inquiring among his
friends, to give OH the principal indictment
for ENLIGHTENMENT $4,000, and the prin-
cipal one for forgery 5000, and that is the
best that he can do. Business men would
hesitate about going on large bonds, and
one Of these previously on the defendants
bond said that person with whom he
dealt largely came and protested against it,
and he found that it was likely to interfere
with his credits
Mr.. Cook thought that in view of the
seriousness of the matter, and the uncer-
tainty of the defendants appearing if re-
leased, that the bail should be ample to Sc
cure his attendance when desired. While
it was unfortunate for the prisoner, the
Governments interest must be protected
and maintained.
The Court said that he should be COM
PEELED to take the matter into considera-
ton. The full amount of the embezzlc-
ment had not been given him before
neither had he considered the question OF
the dissolving the attachment and he
wanted to look over both.
Mr.. Williams stated that whatever the
decision on the attachment might be il
would go to the Court in Banc, and probably
be months before final action wa.
reached.
District Attorney Corkhill guaranteed
that the defendant should have an early
trial, and if they settled the attachment
case he would then have property the valu,
of $4,000 and could easily give $3.50
bail.
His Honor said that he would take til,
matter under advisement, but in the mean
time he would like the attachment suit set
tied.
Masonic Mutual Relief Association
The new board of directors of the Ma
sonic Relief Association held their frs
meeting last evening, and elected the fol
lowing officers: President, John Il. Herrell
yice-president, w. II. Walker; treasurer
Thomas Bowling.
The election of a secretary was then en-
tered into. There has been considerable
dissatisfaction manifested toward the pres
ent incumbent, Mr. Alexander Gardner, ant
"a not contest ensued at the recent annua
meeting TO secure the election of direction
that would vote for some other person Il
succeed him, and the result was Thought h
be favorable TO that end.
The balloting last night, however, did
not bear out this conclusion. There wert
nineteen of the twenty-one directors pres
ent and twelve ballots east. One director
who had previously pledged himself did moi
carry out the promise, and persistently cast
n blank vote whenever the hat came
round.
Now and then Mr.. Chamberlain received
one vote, but the ballot stood generally
Thompson and Gardner 8. Finding that a
hopeless deadlock had been reached an
adjournment for month was taken, when
they expect 10 complete the election