Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-03-08
A DEFIANT WITNESS,

The counsel for the defense in the star
route trial opened their case yesterday by
calling James B. Bedford, member of Con-
gress, to the witness stand He was inter
rogated MS to the rapid growth Of Colorado
and the constant pressure brought TO bear
on the Postofiice Department for increase
Of mail facilities. The counsel for the gov
eminent objected to the testimony as irrele-
want. Judge Wylie said that he would per-
nit the witness to testify that he used his
own influence to secure extension Of mail
service, but he would not allow any inquiry
into the general policy Of the depart
ment
Mr.. Ingersoll, leaving the line Of exam-
nation which the court indicated as permits
sible, asked did you ever receive any
money or any check for any money from S.
w. Dorsey, or any one of these defendants
in consideration of whatyou did in this mat
ter. ~
Mr.. Merrick objected and raised the
point that if the defense wanted to contra
diet Rerdell's statement about the Bedford
check, they must produce the stub book and
this they had persistently refused to do.
Judge Wylle maintained that there could be
no inquiry on the subject, and Judge Bel
ford was obliged to leave the witness stand
without answering Mr.. Ingcrsoll's question.
He appeared to he somewhat agitated !;
took up his hat, walked over to the coun-
sells table, and, turning to the Court, said
with much telling Your honor, wish to
ask the indulgence of the court and the
courtesy Of the bar to make personal state
mcnt in regard to Il charge affecting my
honor"
Mr.. Merrick was Immediately on his feet
with an objection. If the witness had any
statement TO make to the country he could
make it, but, certainly the proceedings of q
court ofjustice ought not to be ntcrfcred
with by allowing Il witness who happened to
be member ofthe bar, TO step from the
witness stand to the counsel table and state
to the jury and to the court what, as Il wit
ness be had not been allowed to state or the
stand. He felt bound to resist it, as a matter
OF Iustice TO the court, to the cause and to
order
Give me the poor privilege pleaded Mr..
Beltord, "oi making Il statement"
This is not public meeting replied
the court. 1--WE are trying q case judicial
ly"
Il state before the living God" said Mr.
Belford solcmnly and Indignantly. that I
never saw such check" Then turning on
his heel Dir. Belford started from the court
room, but he was recalled by the command
ing voice of the judge, who exclaimed an
griiy Come here, sir bring Mr.. Belrord
here"
Mr.. Belford having returned, the court in
CURED what he had said and Mr.. Bedford
repeated it with emphasis.
This is contempt of court" exclaimed
his honor, land the court imposes fine OF
$500. and You stand committed until it is
paid"
Il will pay $780, retorted Mr. Bedford
dellantly, but no man shall stab my char
acter"
This is degree Of impertnence and inso-
lence which the court will not permit to
take place in its presence Indignantly con-
tlnued his honor.
Mr.. Carpenter inquired whether the court
had jurisdiction to impose fine without
issuing rule to show cause?
Certainly it has, replied the court; 1T is
IL disorder in court which the court can
take notice Of immediately
Mr.. 1ngerSoll tried to calm the storm.
and insisted that the exhibition of feeling
made by Judge Beliord was entirely natural
under the circumstances.
Judge Wylie said that there was nothing
wrong in Judge Bellord's request to be
heard, but after it had been refused, it was
a gross contempt of the court to persist in
delivering himself as he had done. He
therefore declined to remit the fine
Mr.. S, W. Dorsey issued card addressed
to The Country" in which he declared
that he never gave check to Judge Bel
ford for $4,000 or any other sum and that
Rerdelfs story is "a vile vicious andcowardly
ialsehood, without u glimmer of truth on
which to build q mountain of fnlsehood