New-York tribune., 1883-03-13
PRESIDENT LAWRENCE ON THE STAND.

PRESIDENT LAWRENCE ON THE STAND
MR. cHoArEs UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORTS 10 LEARN
FACTS ABOUT MR. HUTCHINsoN's EXPULSION.
FN. Lawrence, president Of the Stock Ex-
change examined Us witness before tral ln inc
suit of William j. Hutchinson against him as president
at the Office OF Evarts. Southmayd Choate yesterday
afternoon Joseph II. ChOate, Robert Seweu and +. II.
Sherman appeared IN behalf Of Mr. Hutchinson and
James C. Carter Stephen p Nash and Julien I. Davies
for President Lawrence The purpose Of the exainna-
ton was enable Mr.. Hutchinson 10 complete the COM
plant IN hIs suit by learning what was done at the
meetings the Governing Committee by whose vote he
was expelled from the Stock Exchange.
Mr. Hutchinson Just back Of his counsel and Mr..
Lawrence nearly opposite the other side of
small table. Mr. Choate conducted the examination,
which laste two hOurs To almost the nrst ques-
tion which he asked the witness Mr. Carter. OF the de-
fendants counsel objected. Mr. Lawrence was asked
10 produce the official minutes of the meetings OF the
Governing Committee at which any action was taken
concerning Mr. Hutchinson The book containing the
record was brought into the and Mr.. Lawrence
held il his knees during the examination Every at
tempt by Mr. Choate To learn its contents was met
by an objection from the opposing counsel In only
few instances the witness allowed TO answer the
questions put TO him by referring the record Objec
ton was made 10 its being made part OF the case in
any way or the witness reading from the proceed
ipgs Of the committee with view OF making the
,o,nr,e. a mart OF his testimony The cxamina lion
became q succession of questions and objections. Mr
ChOate accused the counsel on the other side o violating
the spulafOn by which they had agreed that the eT
Animation should be made before notary and not In
eonrt Mr. Carter retOrtcd that the plaintiffs counsel
could expect TO get answers to irrelevant an I'M
tertinept alestions Mr.. ChOate exclaimed: AM
bound 10 that Hutchinson shall have his rlShts
He cannot fish among the papers OF the STOCK
Exchange for Them" was the reply. .
After further efforts Mr. ChOate said that he should
proceed against witness for contempt OF court IN
declining 70 answer the questions. Ihr opposing
counsel said that they desiRnedy irrelevant ahd
iupernent and based assumptions that were fHl7e
To one or questions Mr. Carter objected as stump
speeches only intended for the newspapers" lie
threatened 10 leave the room II the questions were
pressed. ., .,-.,
Toward the close Of the examination President Law
renee was asked about the formal announcement which
be- made 10 the Board that Mr. Hutchinson had been ex
PEELED. Mr.. Choate read part Of the constitutional
elalse about obvious frau1 OF which Mr. Hutchinson
found guilty. few minutes later the witness re-
marked Incidentally to some inquiry We brokers are
not lawyers"
Mr. Coae Il should think motor there would not have
been much q obvious fraud " in the proceedings
This caused eonfuhioni as seHera Oh tne
lawyers both sides attempted to tax ~ the same
time. An unsuccessful attempt was made 10 hav tbe
words appear ia official record During the discus
sion Mr. Lawrence said with great feeling: Inc state
ment that the proceedings were fraudulent ne III
not necessary that should be iDsIlted mere
After few questions more the examination was az
1ourned IL viii be resumed tomorrow al 10 H. III IN
court.