The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-07-28
Washington News Items.
THE srAR.RnnrFRs


WASHINGTON, July 27.--In the criminal |
court this morning Merrick rose and said |
that before beginning the regular proceed
ings he felt bound to call the attention of |
the court to certain circumstances which |
placed the government under great dis
advantages in the prosecution of their
evidence. He wishes to move for rule ON
A G. Buell., editor OF the Capital, Sunday
paper, to show cause why he
should not be punished for contempt Of
court. In an article published in that
paper on July 23d he had charged Walsh
with perjury, falsehood and had used
other abusive and hbellous language.
He also desired "a rule upon
and E., W. Brady, brother Of
the defendant, representatives and trustees
OF the Evening Critic, and upon o. X.
Harrison, one Of the editors of that paper.
Tor similar abuse of Walsh and of Ex-At-
torney. General MacVeagh and Ex-Post-
master-General James. In these articles
the hrst part published one day and the
second upon another day, these gentlemen
lad been abused in uncouth, vituperative
language: They were still witnesses under
process OF court and had not been discharg-
ed. Merrck then read some of the head.
lines from articles, such as "MacVeagh Gets
Muddled," Lying Tom James on the
STAND, and so on. These two gentlemen
LOT some reason seem TO have become the
OBJECTS OF the most vituperative assaults,
while under charge OF the court and while
giving testimony. These articles were in.
tended to intimidate and frighten other
witnesses from giving testimony and place
we government at great disadvantage in
obtaining witnesses, tor the reason that
sensitive gentlemen felt great diflidence
ana unwlllingness to appear and become
objects OF such abuse. He wished to file
motion to serve notice on the other side
and and call them at the proper time.
Ihe latter in reply called
attention to articles in the New York M.
pers, the great dailes as they are called,
IN which scandalous articles and reflections
upon the court itself as well upon the de-
iendants, had appeared from day to day.
The court said it would not do to set off one
crime against another. Both parties would
be brought to punishment if the charges
were true. SO far as assaults upon the
court were concerned, he had never seen
them. Some time since he re-
ceived communication, but he
threw 1t in the waste basket without read
ing le. IL seemed impossible to have a fair
trial IN TINS country any how, because of
the newspapers. There might, however. be
some advantage in free-press court. He
warned the jury against paying any atten-
tion to newspapers. Honest and upright
men had ceased to pay any attention to
them and public opinion could not be in
nuenced by newspapers, bought and con-
trolied by Interested parties. SO far from
havihs any influence upon the court they
would be treated with the utmost con
tempt. When this trial began there
seemed to have been concerted
attack upon the court, not upon the Jury:
Tor so lar they had expressed no opinion;
ana notupon witnesses, Tor none had been
summoned. An opinion in one direction
one day seemed to have an effect upon
these visitors, and decision in another
direction on later day would call forth
the bltterest censure. 1.-THE parties inter
ested thought that they were going to help
their cause by these articles they were mis-
taken. These hired scribblers we've living
upon their means. 1t was a loss of money.
The, court finally gave Merrick leave
10 iile, his motion and the trial was
proceeded with, the day being mainly
occupied by contentious between counsel.
RATIFICATION PROCLAMATION.
The president has made proclamation
OF ratification of the treaty between the
United States, Switzerland and other con-
tracling powers, giving the adhesion OF
thls government To the terms of what is
known AS the Geneva Red Cross conven.
tlon, providing for the neutrality and pro.
lection of agents of the Red Cross society
while engaged in the work of relieving
sufferers from war, pestilepce, famine and
other national calamities.