Omaha daily bee., 1883-03-08
The Debut Of Congressman Bel
ford on tho Expedited
Stace,
A Realistic Sketch by the
Red-Haired Rooster Of
the Rockies"
The Court Fines Him For
Contempt, and Pope Bob
Passes in His Check.
Dorsey Endeavors to Secure
Sympathy by Addressing
the Country.
A Variety OF General News From
tho National Capital.

A Variety OF General News From
tho National Capital.
THE STAR ROUTE TRIAL.
Special Dispatch to TnE BEE.
CONGRESSMAN BELPoRD FINED FOR CON.
TEMPT.
WASHINGTON, March Z The star
route trial was resumed this morn
ng. The defense begin by, put.
ting Congress man Bslford, of
Colorado, on the stand. The
subject of the missing letter came
up. Belford insisted the letter or
copy be put In evidence. He did not
Intend to be suppressed. They were
going to examine him about 1t and he
wanted to read it. The prosecution
were unable to find the original letter
and q copy was introduced which wit.
ness was permitted to read. 1t was .
letter for an increase Of one of Col.
orado's routes, s,gued by the chief
Justice of the state and many promi.
nent state officials. Witness said the
letter had been written by his clerk
and signed BY himself. Belford was
then directed to stand aside. He ap.
peared to be somewhat sgltated, took
his hat up and walk over the oounsels'
table. Turning to the court, he said
with much feeling, "Your honor I
wish to ask the indulgence of the
court and the courtesy OF the bar to
make . personal statement In regard
to the charge affecting my honor"
Merrick Immediately rose and said
1t was at his suggestion the record In
regardto Belford had been modified. If
witness had any statement to make to
the country he could make it, but Ger.
tainly the proceedings of court of
Justice ought not to be interfered
with by allowing witness who hap
pened to be q member Of the bar, to
step from the witness stand to the
counsel table and state to the jury and
court what, as O witneas, Le had not
been allowed to state. He felt bound
to resist 1t az q matter of justice to
the court, the caure and order.
"Give me the poor privilege" plead
Belford, ''of making a statement"
''This is not q public meeting, re
piled the court; We are trying case. !
81 state before the living God,
said Bslford sol ,mnly and indignantly
''that I never saw such . check"
Tn:n.cg P.,ford .sta-tad .ssM (, I,
court room, but IVES rec, ;.ssss.s.x ~
commanding voice OF the judge, wht
sugrily exclaimed, ''Coms here sir
bring Mr.. Belford here, '-f
Belford returning, the court inquir
ed what he said aud Belford repeatet
1t with emphasis.
"Thts IL contempt of court" e1
claimed his honor; "And the court
imposes fine of 500 and you stand
committed until It is paid"
81 will pay $500" retorted Belford
defantly, "but no man shall ruin m,
character.
"This Is q degree of impudeno'
and insolencs which the court will no
permit to take place In Its presence,
Indignantly exclaimed his honor.
Carpenter inquired whether tn
court had jurisdiction to impose
fine without isAuing q rule to sho,
cause.
"Certalnly 1t has," replied tn
Judge; sit Is disorder which the cour
can take notice Immediately"
Ingersoll asked permission, in tn
interest of peace, to say word abou
Beiford's feelings on the subject
Under all circumstanc %, recollectin
that there was about as much huma
nature In people as there was
courts, would 1t not be better for tn
court to let the fine gol He did nc
think Belford meant any insult to th
court, but he had so much feeling o
the subject that there might be SONS
thing psrdonable In the natural indi,
nation of the man whose fair fan
had been assaulted. He (Ingersol
thought his honor, under the clrcun
stances would have gone as far
least.
"You have no right to use the cou
as an illustration, interrupted Judl
Wylie, severely.
Ingersoll begged pardon, and toe
himself as an illustration. He kne
that under certain circumstances
would go beyond the bonds of prop
ETY.. He thought everybody woul
aud asked the court to take all t
circumstances Into consideration.
Merrick said from what he heard
the recess he was looking for sor
such statement as has been made.
Bslford had wanted tos.exacs a!sf
vindication he would not have be
satisfied with making the stateme
he did, but would have asked for I
book which would reply to all Il
was said here. II the court We
formally into tho subject he ahol
like to know what passed during
cess.
Ingersoll declared he had not sc
Belford during the recoss.
Davidge added he had not seen /
until his return to the court.
"As to the check book" said ID
idga, "the government will get emo,
OF 1t before the case Is through"
"Belford's action was one natr
to any man of honor. When he
turned to the court room he 70
idge) had seen Belford, and of COT
the fact had been reported by
government spies, who had even
counsel under constant espionl
What passed between them was I
ply this: Bslford told him he
sssvsd rs PEARS before the bar and