The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-03-07
WASHINGTON.
A SPIRITED COLLQUY.
Merrick and Ingerson Have Some Pointed
Words In the Star Route Trial.

Merrick and Ingerson Have Some Pointed
Words in the Star Route Trial.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2S.-In the Star Route
trial the cross examination of Rerdell was
continued. A cutting remark by Ingersoll
to the witeess caused an angry passage be-
tween counsel, during which Mr.. Merrick
spoke of Ingersoll as puppy, and Ingersoll,
his face red with anger, called Merrick a
dirty dog, at the same time involuntarIly
picking up heavy inkstand.
The Court finally restored order, and it
was greatly shocked and outraged.
Mr.. Merrick began TO explain he had been
pressed beyond endurance, but the Court,
interrupting, said the language was mex
cusable under any provocation.
Mr.. Merrick expressed his sorrow. No man
had greater respect for the Court, and he
would bew with submission to it.
The Judge thought that it was due to the
Court that the remark be retracted.
Mr.. Merrick said he would retract by
direction of the Court, but hoped Mr.. Inger-
soil would be asked to retract as well.
Mr.. Ingersoll said, as far as he was con-
cerned, he would willingly ignore any re-
marks, but he wanted it understood that no
man could abuse him without resistance on
his part. Said he, | would do it at the day
of Judgment If 1 were assailed by God. 1
would defend myself with my little, puny
power.
The Court deprecated the bad temper dis
played by the counsel all along, and, after
some further explanation, the affair was
amicabiy settled and the entire passage
stricken from the record.
Mr.. Ingersoll announced he had finished
with the witness, and Messrs. Wilson and
Henkle asked few questions concerning
Brady, Veile, and Miner, but nothing OF in
terest was elected.
A long discussion took place upon the
attempt of the prosecution to prove Vale
had been forewarned of RerdelPs in
tended course when he gave him $40.
The Court decided to allow the inquiry.
The witness said he had two conversations
with Vale on the subject, one of them after
December last, in which he told Vale that
he was in communication with the Govern.
ment; that he was trying to get out of the
case and had spoken to some OF the Govern
ment employees. Vale said he had done
we'll. That If it had not been for the fact
that he had been on the stand at the last
trial he:would-
Mr.. Davidge objected, and the answer was
not finished.
The witness said the loan was purely q
business transaction between Vale and him
self. The witness made request in the
Court room, explaining his need and his
intention of repaying the loan. The witness
first learned the Government was willing to
accept him as a witness on the night when he
went to Merrick's house. That gentleman had
read from the statutes to show what Rerdell's
punishment would be. He had told him he
had nothing TO expect, except from the
mercy of the Court.
Bliss explained that the Government had
been for long time aware of Rerdell's de-
sire to appear as 3 Government witness, In
| tiuenced by regard for his own personal
safety. The prosecution had steadily re-
fused to accept his offer until the night he
came to Merrick's house and had given him
directly to understand he must plead guilty
and had no favor to expect.
Mr.. Merrick asked the witness his reason
| for becoming a Government witness.
The witness said the first fact was the ar
gument of his counsel in the last trial.
| Thursday, as If suspecting him, Dorsey came
| to the Jail and threatened him with those
letters again. His wife told him of the con-
dition of bis Office, and upon inspection he
saw some one had gone through it. Con
vinced that he had been deserted and that
| it was Dorsey's surprise to get him out oi
the way. he then and there resolved to &c
over to the Government, and in pursuance
of that resolve went to see Woodward.
Although the witness did not see Brady &C
into Chamberlain's, he knew he was there
from conversations with Dorsey before and
after the meeting. Dorsey caused him II
prepare list of fines aud deductions, takins
| it with him to Chamberlains. Coming ou
Dorsey told him Brady had gone over the
statement of fines and deductions and in
structed the witness to prepare application
| for remissions.
The Court said the question had beer
more far reaching than it had expected and
directed the answer to be omitted from th'
record. Adjourned.