The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-05-12
THE sTAR ROUTE TRIAL.

luL6o IOT tnhb OF h6lm.
THE STAR ROUTE TRIAL
WASHINGTON, May 9.-It was decided
last night to go on with the argument
in the Star Route trial, and this morning
Mr.. Wilson began the closing argument
for the defense. He will be followed by
Messrs. Carpenter, Williams, Henkle,
Davldge, Chandler and lngeTsOll, in the
order named.
Mr.. Wilson began by saying that some
malicious newspaper paragr8pher, re-
ferring to the opening argument, was
mean enough to say there was nothing
on earth to which 1t could be compared
except the crater of VesuVius. IL the
length Of speech made the lawyers
fame, the two gentlemen who had pre-
eeded should be immortal. The testi-
mOny in this case has been scandalOusly
misrepresented and perverted. Why
had the Government failed to call Mr..
John H. Mitchell to prove his name was
in that memorandum, and that he had
received money from Mr.. DOTsey2 Ahey
had taunted the defense with their neg
lect in that matter, yet when the de-
Tense called Mr.. BelfOTd the Court re-
fused to allow him to say anything in
answer to Mr.. Rerdell's charges, and
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 jurors
In their interest while he sat with other
defendants.
Mr.. Ker interrupted to demand the
reference to that evidence, and Mr. Inger-
soil turned TO Rerdelis testimony and
read passage " here he said he made
some such agreement with Blackman.
Mr.. Ker declared that Mr.. IngeTsOll
had an imnOrfaht sra
and he did not regard It as fair to thus
cast structures upon the prosecution. He
read from the record of ReTdelPs state
ment that Woodward knew nothing Of
AN agreement with Blackman. W..
Mr.. Wilson then continued his address.
He said he had waited in vain to see
Blackman called to the stand. 1t was a
scheme.O of unparalleled infamy, and Rer-
Hell had tried TO carry out his part of
the agreement.
Inc Court challenged the truth of the
statement.
Mr.. DaVidge reminded Judge Wylie
that Rerdell had attempted to challenge
n juror, but his right had been denied.
Mr.. lngersOll-''It was a conspiracy
as wicked as 1t was malicious"
The UOurt-"It did not result in any
thing. 1t was not very creditable TO the
defendant OF to Rerdell."
MIR. IngersOll-"Nor to the Govern
ment."
Ghe COurt-''Nor to the Government
agent"
Mr. IngersOll-"The Government acts
Through agents"
7 The Court should certainly not
presume that anyone employed by the
Government should be authorized to at
Tempt anything of that sort. l am great
deal relieved to know the attempt was
unsuccessful"
MIR. Ker-''From your Honor's knOwl-
tdge OF the gentlemen engaged ia this
prosecution. l believe no disclaimer is
required; but l say now that " Q had no
nOwledge OF that conversation, good,
Dad or Indifferent be it, and If the gentle.
man persists in his statement to the con-
LTAry he will receive u reDuke from
Government counsel who follows him
That he will not soon fOrget-it will be
un merciful."
The counsel for defense greeted this
remark with a burst OF laughter.
Mr.. Wilson said he was about to ex-
plain the circumstances when inter
rupted. a.. a.H
The Court said Mr.. Ker was justified
i'll making his explanation, because Mr..
Wilson had declared the Government
mad not disclaimed their knowledge of
The matter. As a matter Of fact, The re-
direct examination of ReTdell had prov
cd they had NO such knOwledge-that it
did not extend even TO Woodward.
Mr.. Wilson again resumed his argu-
ment. and had not concluded when
court adjourned.