Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1883-03-09

Star Route.

I
stand aside. He appeared to be some
what agltated took up his hat and walked
over to the counsel tables and turning to
the court said with much feeling;
"Your honor, wish to ask the in
diligence Of the court and courtesy of the
bar to make personal statement IN re-
gard to the charge affecting my honor"
Merrlck was at once on his feet with
an objection. 1t was at his suggestion,
he said, that the record III regard
to Belford had been modified.
1t witness had statement to
make to the country lie could make it,,
out certainly the proceedings of a court
of justice ought not be in'erfcred with by
allowing witness who happened to be
4 member of the bar to step from the wit
ness stand to the counsel table and state
to the jury and court what, as a witness,
he would not have been allowed to state
on the stand. He felt compelled to re.
sist it as al after of justice to the court
in this case, and III order to give me the
poor privilege, pleaded by Belford, of
making O statement"
"This is not a public mceting,' re
piled the court. "We are trying a case
judicially.'
81 state before the living God," said
Belford solemnly and Indignantly, sthat
never saw such check" Then turn
ing on his heel Belford started from the
court room, but he was recalled by the
commanding voice of the judge, who ex-
claimed, "Come here, sir; bring Mr.. Bel
ford herc.' Belford having returned, the
court inquired what he said, and Belford
repeated it with emphasis.
"This is contempt OF court" eX-
claimed his honor, "and the court i'm
poses fine of 800, and you stand COM
mitted until it is paid
81 will pay $780," rctorted Mr.. Bel'ord
defantly, "but no man shall ruin my
character"
"This is a degree Of lmpudence and in
science which the court will not permit
to take place in It's presence" Indignant
y exclaimed his honor''
Carpenter inquired whether the court
had jurisdiction TO impose fine without
issuing rule to show cause.
"Certainly 1t has," replied the court.
"lt IS disorder in court which the court
can take notice of Immediately.
Ipgersoll asked permission in the inter-
est of peace to say word about Bellord's
feelings on this subject. Under the cir
cumstanccs, recollecting that there was
about as much human nature in people
as there was in courts, would it not be
better for the court to let the fine go?
He did not think Belford meant an insult
to the court, but had SO much feeling in
this subject hat there might be some
thing pardonable in natural Indignation
in the man whose fair fame had been as
sailed. lie, lngersoll, thought his honor
under some circumstances would have a
fair, at least.
"You have no right to use court as an
illustration" interrupted Judge Wyiie
severely.
Ingersoll begged pardon and took him
self as an illustration. Under certain Cir
cumstances he knew he would 60 beyond
the bounds of proprlety and he thought
everybody would. He made this sugges-
ton, not for the purpose of having the
court do anything which it did not believe
could be done consistently, but for the
purpose of asking the court to take all
circumstances into consideration.
Nlerrick said from what he did learn at
recess, he was looking for some such a
statement the stand as had been made
from the bar, Notwithstanding the llmita-
tions of the court. He might be in error,
but it was subject of talk. If Belford
wanted an exact and full vindicatlon he
wonld not he satisfied in making the state
ment he did, but would have asked for
the book which would reply to all that IS
said here. If the court went formally
into the subject he would like to know
what passed during the recess.
Ingersoll declared he had not seen Bel
ford during recess, and Davidge added
he had not seen them till his return to
coult. AS to the check book, said
Davldge, the government would get
enough of 1t before they were through.
Belford's action was natural to any man
| of honor. When he had returned to the
court room lie had seen Belford and of
course that fact had been reported by
some detectives of the government who
had the counsel under constant espion-
age. What had passed between them
was simply this: Belford told him he had
served for 25 years before the bar and IN
| tended 10 request the court to allow him
to make a statement. Davidge appealed
| TO the court to reconsider Its action and
remit the fine.
The court said Belford had occupied a
place of consequence before the country
many years. (Bclford arose, but he court
hastily bade HIM be seated, saying he was
not addressing him. The court proceeded
to review Rerdelfs testimony upon the
point in question, and SAID Belford could
not but know the question, and said Bel
! ford could not but know that the pro-
posed explanation could not be allowed
There was nothing wrongin his request
but after beng refused it was gross vio-
latlon of court to persist in delivering
himself as he had done. Tue court there
| fore declined to remit the fine.
| I..orson xSyv;ll .ha flarE occa,,t M,