Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-05-10
THE STAR ROUTES.

fense-A Lively Tilt Between Counsel
Ker Threatens Dire Vengeance in Case
the Government Counsel is Censured.
WASHINGTON, May st was decided
last night to go on with the star route
case, and this morning Wilson began the
closing argument for the defense. He
will be followed by Carpenter, Williams,
Henkle, Davidge, Chandler and Ingersoll,
in the order named. Wilson began by
saying, some malicious newspaper para
grapher, referring to the opening argu-
ments, was mean enough to say there was
nothing on earth to which it could be COM
pared except the crater of Vesuvius. If
length of speech made a lawyers fame,
the two gentlemen who had preceded
should be immortal. The testimony in
this cssa had been scandalously misrepre-
scented and perverted. Why had the gov
eminent failed to cali John IL. Mitchell to
prove his name was in memorandum, and
that he had received money from Dorsey?
They had tainted the defense with their
neglect in that matter, yet when the de-
Tense called Belford the court refused to
allow him to say anything in answer to
Rerdells charges, and had said the matter
had nothing to do with the case.
The government did not want and had
not sought fair and impartial trial in
this case. Rerdell had agreed with the
government to challenge the jurors in their
interest while he sat with the other defend
ants.
curry fixing, indeed, what was that?"
Ker interrupted. He demanded refer
ence to that evidence and Ingersoll turned
to RerdelPs testimony and read the passage
where he said he had made some such
agreement with Blackman.
Mr.. Ker declared that Ingersoll had sup
pressed an important passage, and he did
not regard it as fair to cast structures upon
the prosecution. He read from the record
Rerdelrs statement thatWoodward knew
nothing of the agreement with Blackman.
Wilson then continued his address. He
said he had waited in vain to see Blackman
called to the stand. 1t was a scheme of
unparalleled infamy, and Rerdell had tried
to carry out his part of the agreement.
The court challenged the truth of the
statement.
Davidge reminded Judge Wylie that
Rerdell had attempted to challenge a ju-
ror, but his right to do so had been denied
by the court, because he was unsupported
by the other defendants in his challenge.
The court remembered its mind had
been much relieved at the time to find the
matter resulted in no harm to the jury. 1t
was conspiracy without an overt act.
Ingersoll-As wicked as it was mali
| cious.
The Court-It did not result in anything
1t was not very creditable to. the defend
ant, to Rerdell.
lugerson-Nor to the government.
The Court-Nor to the government
agent.
Ingersoll- government acts through
agents.
The Court should certainly not pre-,
sumo that anyone employed by govern
ment should be authorized to attempt any
thing of that sort. 1 am a great deal re-
lieved to know that the attempt was unsuc-
cessful.
Ker-From your honor's knowledge Of
the gentlemen engaged in this prosecu-
ton, believe no disclaimer is required,
but say now that we had no knowledge
of that conversation, good, bad or in
different be it, and if the gentleman per-
SAS'9 IL AA0 0V'e0Ln0IA'o " Uho OOA'AdAy -
he will receive rebuke from the govern
ment counsel, who follows him, that he
will not soonforget. 1t will be unmerciful.
The counsel for the defense greeted the
remark with laughter.
Wilson said he was about to explain the
circumstances when interrupted.
The court said Ker was justified in
making his explanation because Wilson
declared that the government counsel had
not disclaimed their knowledge of the mat
ter. AS matter of fact the redirect
examination of Rerdell had proved that
they had no such knowledge, and that it
did not extend eve "a to Woodward.
Wilson again resumed his argument
and had not concluded when the court
adjourned.