National Republican., 1883-05-23
Col. IngersOll DevOtes Whole Day to a Re-
view Of His Testimony.
Pronouncing Much Of II Proof in Itself
Of Its Own Falsity,
He Also Charges That Many Of the Papers Produced
Bore Secret Marks for tho Guidance Of Witnesses
The F.wer of Ridicuie-AIIegcd Incon-
sIstencies.


ucdy his caustic criticism of Rerdoll's tcsti-
mony. Apparent inconsistencies in Rerdell's
description of Dorsey's letter appealing TO
Rerdol to be faithful to him were pointed out
and commented upon. He declared that Ror-
dell's testimony was proof in itself that Dor
sey never wrote such letter, and that the
Albermarle hotel interview was a fabrication.
Rerdell had admitted that he perjured him
self out of friendship for Dorsey when he
made the affidavit of June 20, 1881.
Mr.. Ingorsol read Rerdell's lettor of July
10, 1882, in which he notifies Dorsey Of his
intention to go over TO the government, He
called the attention Of the jury to the SINH
larity of style and expression between that
letter and tho affidavit which Rerdell had
sworn that Dorsey drafted. The letter showed
conclusivoly that tho government had prom
ised him clerkship; that they promised to
relieve him from the indictment in 1882. Was
IL possible that he liedP Again, he said in
the letter that he had broken with the gov
ernment because of Bosler's arguments, and
not of Dorsey's supplications.
He had been astonishod at RerdelPs won
derful memory when he picked out of the
affidavit the clauses written by Dorsey and
by himself But when he examined the
paper (WHICH nAu Dcen given 10 hcruOll Dy
Mr.. Woodward) he found those clauses un-
derlined with blue pencil marks, and when
he came to ID he would show that ovcry one
of the manypapcrs submitted TO the experts
for identification of the handwriting bore Sc
cret marks, SO that they might swear know
ingly. There had been great deal of prep
aration in this case, said Mr.. Ingersol iron
ically. M
The marked affidavit had been taken away
from Rerdcll upon cross-examination, and as
q consequence he foreswore himself. At first
he had sworn that he wrote certain passages,
and when cross-examined swore that Dorsey
wrote them. The affidavit showed from its
face that it had emanated from one brain |;
had been written by one hand. He next
turned to the pencil memorandum, the prin-
cipal pillar of Rerdelrs testimony. Without
that pillar everything fell into complete ruin.
Mr.. Merrick interrupted to be referred to a
quoted point of evidence
Mr.. Ingersoll said that he did not blame
the gentleman for dislikiug the evidence.
Mr.. Merrick replied that he did not care
they might convict Rerdell as much as they
liked.
Mr.. Ingersoll. 0h-but when you come to
show that he is guilty--his countenance will
light up with the transfguration of joy"
Continuing, he said that when the gov
ernment's witness, Boone, intimated plainly
that the pencil memorandum had been fixed
dropped the subject.
There were many experts hero-numbers
in the bureau of engraving aud printing,
many persons in the capitol, Dorsey's old as
sociates in the senate-who could have sworn
to his handwriting yet the government al
lowed their own witness to discredit that tes-
timony; to swear that Rerdell manufactured
the eliminating part of it. Did not the jury
believe that the government did consult with
experts, and had they doubt why they did
not call them? Did they doubt that they
could get no man except Rerdell who woul d
swear that the memorandum was in the hand
writing of S.W. Dorsey
Rerdell had sworn that he kept it as a
voucher For whatP 1t did not show any
thing, but he had TO invent reason. He
(Mr. Ingersoll) was of such a make that he
could not absolutely hate anybody. He could
not help pitying the worst rascal when in
trouble, and he pitied Rerdell. The paper
was memorandum of entries to be made in
the books. 81. III. Mitchell, -" no figures;
only that entry. Model bookkeeping that.
Laughter.
Rerdell swore that he wrote Sam Jones'"
He did not. Compare it with the other
papers (Mr. Ingersoll produced several), aud
his falsity was apparent. Was it natural that
Dorsey would give such paper to Rerdellt
In his opinion Dorsey never wrote one word
or line of that paper. Rerdell did not tell
james or MacVeagh OF the memorandum.
Nor did he toll Woodward in September last
Why? Because he did not have it. Because
he had manufactured it since that time.
Tho jury must entirely believe Rerdell, oil
with the foot of Indignation he must be
kicked over the threshold of belief The
government knew that; yet they did not call
], II. Mitchell to corroborate Rerdell The
bookkeeper Donelly did not remember any j.
H. Mitchell account; nor did Gibbs the
copyist, the man with the peculiar mental
muscle. II was but natural that the memo
randum looked as If IL were i'll Dorseys hand
writing, because Rerdell tried to initiate his
handwriting. But IL also rcsembed RerdelPt
handwriting, and it would be wonderful
accident if Dorsey should without an objec
initiate Rerdell's handwriting.
Mr.. Ingersoll then proceeded to point out
with exactness the many contradictions be
tween Rerdell and other witnesses, in regarc
to the filling in of petitions and on Other
points.
The government had tried to make out thai
Dorsey had entered Rerdell's room and alb
stracted papers whle he was in Jail. Well
the evidence showed that Mrs. Rerdell was in
that room at o'clock in tho morning, anC
tho ianitor afterward found the door open
OF course the woman left it open and dsar
ranged the papers, when she searched through
and carried of some of them.
Rerdcl had said that he wrote an entir
petition, although he had been ordered TO gel
one in u. regular way. 1t was too mucl
trouble TO send for one, so he wrote it and !
was SO frequent an occurrence that he coul'
not remember the name of the route. He wa
like the Texas man who was tried for murder
and could not remember the name OF the maj
whom he killed had not charged his mem
ory with IL. Such man had rather tell IL
on ninety days credit than the truth for cash
Taking up one of the petitions, Mr.. lnger
soil declared that the words thirteen hours
were in Rerdell's handwriting, although h
sworo that Miner wrote IL.
Mr.. Merrick remarked that Rerdell wa
corroborated by Boone.
Mr.. Ingersoll replied that he believed Boon
said the handwriting was disguised "But,
continued Mr.. Ingersoll, Suppose he had sup
ported Rerdell, you have no idea how TO b
indicted seven times affects a mans imagina
tion." When man stood up as Rerdel
had done and swore that he ha
remembered the history Of every on
of the many petitions and papers of all kind
prepared five years before, he swore TO man
ifest falsehood. Miner swore that he did no
remember certain afidavits and petition
and he swore to the truth. If he had wishes
to stain his heart with perjury he could hay'
sworn that ne remembered the papers. III
could have sworn that the afidavits wer'
filed up and not in blank when sent to NeN
Mexico for signature. But he was homes
enough to swear that he did not remember
aud he respected him for II.
Mr.. Bliss held up Dorsey to scorn becaus
he had tried TO turn out two cabinet officer
upon Rerdell's evidence. But he wished
put four men in penitentiary upon that man
evidence. Was not that worse than TO tur