The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-07-20

Ihe TfiM ~ fslIafahni hoAgeii fhe
nmidlns ~ no University the 4 A M.
college. Eie
Correspondence oflho Herald
AtnfN duly 10. is2-rulc interest
here has Tor me past ten days conferred In
the ldh 81 Erunilod States Marshal l,us
sell. Public ounloh Inns IN the main been
favorable 10 him, and his acquttal wns by
many confidently predicted from the start,
The Indictment upon which lac was tried
charged him with rendering false account
Tor expenses incurred In transporting two
United States Convlcts from Huntsville,
Texas, TO Auburn, New Icrk. The GOV.
crnment proved conclusiycly, and the de-
tense admitted, that some Of the Items In
the account were false, but II was shown 20
the satisfaction OF the jury that the account
was made up by an Office deputy from data
furnished by another deputy who had
charge OF the details OF the trip, and that
Russell presented IL with other accounts 10
the court for approval without examination
and without even knowing that it was
among the number. While the verdict nc-
quits him Of guilty intent, his own defense
subjects him to severe criticism for falling
to give to the duties of his office that atten-
ton which duty required. The scene at
the close of the trial was most unusual. As
soon as the verdict was announced his
friends and the jury, regardless OF the time
and place, crowded about him TO tender
their congratulations, and in u few minutes
all business was suspended.
| Whatever may have been the difference ex-
listing between Colonel Russell and those
who opposed his rcappointment, the evil
dence in this case clearly disposcs of the
charge ofpolitical persecution. His accounts
and the facts connected with them fur
ni.h abundant prima facia evidence
TO warrant the grand jury in finding an III
dictment against him, and his ignorancc OF
facts which he should have known fur
nishcd his only defense.
The other cases gain.t him were con-
tinued to the next term OF the court and it
is not thought by many that they will ever
be pressed TO trial 1t is not known, how
ever, what course the government will pur-
sue. District Attorney Evans seems TO
be honest and thoroughly in earnest and
as some Of the indictments are upon en-
tirey different charges, he may insist upon a
trial IN each case.
As already telegraphed you, the contract
for the erection of the wing of the, state uni
versity has been awarded TO a. H.
Cook for $4,000. There were four
us. Work will be commenced at
once, and the other contract requires that
the building shall be completed by the LIST
of June next. In the meantime temporary
quarters will be provided for the university,
and it will be opened on the LIST OF Jan
uary, 1885. According to q resolution al.
ready adopted, the board Of regents will
meet on the 10Th Of this month TO elect a
faculty, and Colonel Ashbel Smith states
that he expects everything will be in read
mess by the time mentioned.
/ have it from. good authority that the
policy of paying the expenses of a certain
humber Of students in the Agricultural &
Mechanical college by the state will here
after be discontinued. The legislature made
an appropriation OF $l4 900 for this purpose,
the amount being intended to cover the
coming year, but all but about 5000 has
already been expended. Owing
to the remarkable prosperity of
the college under the present management
tits thought that paying students will at
oAce fill the place Of those heretofore sup
piled by the state, and while no action has
vet been taken by the board, it is believed
that no more free students will be admitted.
The college receives $4,000 per snnum
from the interest on the government appro-
priation for its maintenance, and its con-
tinued success is regarded as certain.