National Republican., 1882-12-05
THE LAW OF THE LAND.
Preparations for Applying it Again to the
Star-Route Cases.
The Record OF Yesterdays Proceedings.
THE srAR.RourE CASES.

THE sTAR-RoUTE CASES.
The December term of tho criminal court
was opened yesterday morning, with Judge
Wylic on the bench. This term is an i'm.
portant one, as the second trial of the star
route defendants will occupy large share of
the time. There were very few spectators
present when court opened, the usual noble
army of tho great unwashed being rather
slimly represented. Mr.. Ker, of counsel for
the government, appeared early, and was fol-
lowed by jeff Chandler, S. S. Henklc, IT, G..
| 1ine, Harvey NJ. Vaile, Il. j. Brady, Jerc NJ.
| Wilson, r. G.. lngcrsoll, A. b. Williams, John
K. Miner, NJ. G.. Rerdell r. b. Carpenter, Il.
| Il. Mcrrick, and George Bliss. After few
| prcliminaries the court proceeded to organize
| the grand jury. Charles Il. Noursc was re-
| turned not found, and Cornelius Clarks name
drawn in his place. The statute governing
the qualifications of grand jury were then
read. William Syphax, an employo of the
| Government Printing Office, was declared
ineligible, and Randolph Green drawn to fill
his place. The remaining jurors were then
dismissed until 10 o'clock to-day.
The petit jury was next attended to. A. A.
| WaltersOn was not found. William Laird
on-rcsidcnt, excused. John King responded
to the name of George w. King, and was OK.
cused The following were excused for cause:
| G. a. Hcnia, government employe; Allison
| Nailor, ir., on physicians certificate; Henry
| Dadc, served us a juror on the Soteldo trial.
| Mr. John Cassels asked to be excused on the
| ground of being u nonresident, as he had "A
house in Philadelphia and voted there. The
court held that as he lived here he was good
enough juror. Several other jurors offered
excuse, but they were not accepted. This
exhausted all the names, and the marshal was
ordered to summon seven jurors to complete
| the panel. The court then adjourned uu.
i til to-day at 10 o'clock. The following
names were drawn to fill the vacancies:
George b, Sheriff, Bonning Road; ID. N.
Perkins, 734 Twenty fourth street northwest;
John Lynch, 3139 o street northwest; John
| III. Irving, 200S l street northwest; John II.
Vernon, 615 Four-and-a-half street southwest;
James w. Orme, 72S Ninth street northwest; !;
Jackson Howard, 1923 street.
1t is stated that w. ID. Davidgc will appear
in the present trial for ex-senator Dorsey and
WV. Wiltshire and w. A.. Cook for M. G. Rer-
dell-these in addition to the counsel now in
the case.
SMALL CRIMINAL CALENDAR.
1t is probable that the star-route trial will
occupy the attention of the criminal court for
q couple of months at least, and there has
never been u time in the history of this Dis
trict when the Jail contained so few criminals
awaiting trial Atpresent there are only four
cases requiring the action of tho grand jury.
There are five murderers waiting trial, as fol-
lows: Frank Minor, murder of his wife;
Joshua Anderson, murder of Carr; Henry w.
Fenner, for shooting Thomas Nugent; Charles
Hamilton, murder of Hill ; Christiana Taylor,
murder of the Fisher children, tried once and
new trial ordered. Robert Williams, held for
the murder of Valentine Dingle, is out on bail
In all the above cases the government has been
ready to go to trial, but counsel for the de-
Tense have obtained continuances. With the
exception of Leocardie Pommard, the French
governess and the safe burglars who have
trip but mo nc how
other serious cases. Warden Crocker said re-
Gently, Never in my recollection have seen
a term of the criminal court approaching and
so few criminals in Jail awaiting its action"
In case there should be large influx of iail
cases, the act of June g. $780, gives the court
in general term power to designate one of tho
justices to hold a second criminal court where
the cases demanding speedy attention can be
heard. .,..It..4 s...
THE HITz CASE.
As was announced Saturday, Justice Wylie
yesterday considered the cases of Dr. Charles
L. Prentiss and Mr.. John Hitz In regard to
correcting the record, ho thought it was of
no consequence to the parties indicted. The
rule was that final decree could not be
amended after the term had expired, although
the Supreme Court had done so. If by mad
vertence Of the clerk an incorrect entry had
been made, the court, on evidence, could COR
rect it at any time. After citing several au-
on behalf of both defendants were noted. In
the case of Hitz. Judge Wylie said he
| would make no decision until q written stip-
ulation was entered into that Mr.. Hitzs COM
mission be made part of the plea. He would
not accept any oral statement. Mr. Barrett
said he would like to consult with Mr.. Butler.
The District Attorney maintained it must be
made part of the plea. Judge Wylie gave
counsel until to-day to decide If then tho
written agreement is not put in he will make
a motion without considering the commission
as being embraced in the plea.
NOTES.
In the court in general term yesterday the
mandamus case of Schumacher & Ettinger VS..
| the Commissioner of Patents was argued and
submitted. The REALTORS seek to compel the
Commissioner to register cigar label which
is to be generally used ON their brands of goods.
The Commissioner resists, on the ground that
| the act requiring him to register is uncon
stitutonal. The petitioners allege that it is
part Of the copyright law, the only difference
being that this branch of it is done in thePatent
Office, and not in the office of the Librarian Of
Congress. The case was taken under advise
ment.
In the mandamus case of Gen. Ward Bur-
nett against the Secretary Of the Interior, to
compel him to reissue pension certificate, it
was argued on stipulation in the court in
general term yesterday that the petition and
rule thereon stand in place of an alternative
|
defendant stand in place of return to such
rule. The case was set for hearing ON the
petition and answer tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock.
The circuit court yesterday got through
with the case of the Peoples Bank against
Norment g. Co., and it was given to the jury.
They will bring in a sealed verdict to-day.
Charles e. Hoover yesterday entered suit
against Kate and Alonzo A. Mari to charge
the estate of Kate Mari, married woman,
with debt.
The court in banc yesterday affirmed tho
verdict in the case of Andrews agant the Belt
Line Railroad Company. Damages were as
sessed at 81, 900.
THE RECORD.
Court in Bdnc-7he Chief Justice, justices Cor and
Jdmes-Anderson VS.. G. n. o. Il 8. w. r. R.; opin-
ion by the Chief Justice affirmed United States
ex rel. Schumacher & Etunger VS.. Commissioner
of Patents argued and submitted. Morse VS.. Ash
ford on trial Adjourned till to-day. Assign
ment-Nos. A. 4S, 81, 5S, SO, 60, 6l, 62, and 63.
Criminal Court-Jlsttcs WvlE.-December term
opened by proclaim alton.
| Circuit COurt-JuStice AdcArthur.-People's Bank
VS.. Norment & Co. jury to bring in sealed ver-
dict. McGl vs.. Citizens Building Company;
Jury respited. Adjourned till to-day. Assign
ment-Nos. 100 l3l, $50, l62, S2a So l25 a. 1SS i5s
G., n, 92, and 90.
Florida Oranges.
A notable feature of the fair at the Capitol
was the beautiful display of very choice