The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-10
Mr.. Wilson Begins His Remarks for the
Defense, the Usual Snarl Ensues,
and the Court Adjourns.
Organization of the Florida Ship
Canal Company.
Sale of Timber Lands-COmptroller Knox
Acting as Commissioner of Internal
Revenue-POttery Interests.
WILSON TAKES HIS TURN.
He Makes Charge Against the Prosecu'
ton Which Arouses Their Wrath.

ton Which Arouses Their Wrath.
WASHINGTON May 9.-It was decided last
night to go on with the argument in the star
route trial, and this morning Wilson began
the closing argument for the defense He
Henkle, Davidge, Chandler and Ingersoll, in
the order named.
Wilson began by saying that some ma
.licious newspaper paragrapher, referring to
the opening arguments, was mean enough to
say there was nothing on earth to which it
could be compared except the crater of We
suvius. If the length of a speech made a
lawyers fame, the two gentlemen who had
preceded should be immortal. The testi-
mony in this case had been scandalously
misrepresented and perverted. Why had the
government failed to call John H. Mitchell
to prove that his name was on that memoran-
dunn, and that he had received money from
Dorsey. They had taunted the defense with
their neglect in that matter yet when the
defense called Belford the court refused to
allow of his saying anything in answer to
Rerdell's charges and had said the mat
ter had nothing to do with the case
The government did not want and had not
sought, fair and impartial trial in this
ment to challenge jurors in their interest
while he sat with the other defendants.
Jury-fxing indeedl What was thatP
Mr.. Ker interrupted to demand a refer
ence to that evidence, and Mr.. Ingersoll
turned to RerdelPs testimony and read pas
sage where he said he made such an agree
ment with Blackmar. Mr.. Ker declared that
Mr.. Ingersoll had suppressed an important
passage, and he did not regard it as fair to
thus cast structures upon the prosecution.
He read from the record RerdelPs statement
that Wood knew nothing of the agreement
with Blackmar
Mr.. Wilson then resumed his address. He
said he had waited in vain to see Blackmar
called to the stand 1t was a scheme unpar-
alleled in infamy and Rerdell had tried to
carry out his part of the agreement.
The court challenged the truth of the
statement, and Mr.. Davidge reminded Judge
WyIie that Rerdell had attempted to chal-
lenge juror, but his right to do so had been
denied by the court because he was unsup-
ported by the other defendants in his chal-
lenge. The court remembered that its mind
had been much relieved at the time to find
the matter had resulted in no harm to the
jury. 1t was conspiracy without an overt act.
Mr.. lngersoll-As wicked as it was mali
cious.
The Court-It did not result in anything
1t was not very creditable to the defendant,
Rerdell.
Mr. Ingersoll-No; nor to the government.
The Court-Nor to the government agent.
Mr. Ingersoll-The government acts
through agents.
The Court should certainly not pre-
sumo that any one employed by the govern
ment should be authorized to attempt any
thing of that sort. l am a great deal re-
lieved to know that the attempt was unsuc-
cessful.
Mr. Ker-From your Honor's knowledge
of the gentlemen engaged in this prosecu-
ton l believe no disclaimer is required, but
say now that we had no knowledge of that
conversation, good, bad or Indifferent.
he it, and if the gentleman persists in his
statements to the contrary he will receive a
rebuke from the government counsel who
follows him, that he will not soon forget 1t
will be unmerciful.
The counsel for the defense greeted his re-
mark with burst of laughter.
Mr.. Wilson said he was about to explain
the circumstances when interrupted.
The court said Mr.. Ker was justified in
making his explanation, because Mr.. Wilson
had declared that the government counsel
had not disclaimed their knowledge of the
matter. AS a matter of fact the redirect ex-
animation of Rerdell had proved that they
had no such knowledge thatit did not extend
even to Mr.. Woodward.
Mr.. Wilson again resumed his argument.
and had not concluded when the court ad-
journed.