Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-23
THE DICKSON TRIAL.

THE DICKSON TRIAL.
Testimony for the Defense To-day.
The cross-examination Of Mr.. William Dick
son, indicted on a charge Of corruptly endeavor-
ing to influence his fellow jurors in the first star
route trial, was continued this morning by Mr..
Worthington. He was questioned at some
length regarding his assertion that this prosecu-
tion was conspiracy against him.
Mr.. Worthington wanted to put in evidence
Judge Snelrs opinion, delivered when Mr.. Dick
son was held for the grand Jury.
The judgment of the Police Court holding Mr..
Dickson for the grand jury was read.
ton, 'that Judge Smell is included in this charge
'Oh, no, sir, said Mr.. Dickson. After q pause
plain. was at the time under a terrible pressure,
and to-day regrets what he has done, and has
SO stated to me-"
This answer was ruled out BY the court, who
said to the witness: "You must not allow your
position or your feeling to control your an
~ win try to restrain my feelings, judge" said
MI. Dickson.
MR.. DIcKsoN's CONSPIRACY CHARGE.
Mr.. Dickson was asked as to what had
changed his opinion, SO that he had become
convinced that the Attorney General was en-
gagged in a conspiracy against him. He said
to the jury the late VIM. P. Copeland, Journal
lst, told him that Bowen was q scoundrel. Jas
X: Young, then chief clerk of the Department
that he the witness) did not know the true
character of Bowen; that he was one Of the
d-dest scoundrels on the face Of the earth;
died his brother, John Russell Young, minister
to China. He said he was surprised that Bowen
had been appointed to a position in the Depart
Brewster that Bowen was not reliable, not to be
believed, and that he would rather take his
i,dIo,l,I iMr: Dickson's word ten times over than
this man Bowen was allowed to cover the wit
ness with filth. 1t was the action of the Attor-
ney General after learning the character of the
man that convinced the witness that the Attor-
ney General was part of the conspiracy.
JUDGE MAC ARTHUR ADMONIsHEs COUNSEL.
After some discussion as to the relevancy of
testimony, in which some feeling was displayed,
Judge Macarthur said that the remarks made
by Mr.. Smith in his opening address in refer
had no connection with the merits of this case
He thought counsel had been misled by the
ardor engendered by litigation. He thought it
best to admOnish the counsel that the time of the
court could not be consumed nor the minds of
the jury perpleXed by these controversies be-
tween counsel, entirely outside Of the case. He
hoped that these manifestations of feeling
would stop He would take occasion, if such
were repeated, to interpose the
authority OF the court.
THE TINE HAD CONE FOR THE COURT TO INTER.
POSE.
Judge Macarthur said he thought the
time had come for the court to inter-
pose. This was the last of a series of
what might be termed state trials
which had been attended with widespread
feeling and interest. 1t was natural that ccun-
sci should become somewhat embittered and
that there would be feeling among different
parties that injustice had been done them.
The trial had taken wide range. A charge OF
infamous conduct had been made against the
former Attorney General, man who had hith-
erto borne a spOtless reputation. 1t was some
what serious matter to drag into a case such a
charge collaterally, where it was impossible to
try 1t and impossible for the officer SO accused
to be heard. He thought MIR. Dickson's case
could be fairly tried without bringing in an in
vestigatiOn Of that character. He thought that
counsel when they reflected would see the in
justice Of dragging into the case such accusa-
tions, and the court would endeavor to exclude
such matters.
HENRY TEsFIFIEs AS TO BREW
sTER CAMERoN's ATTEMPT TO SELECT SOME OF
THE TALESMEN.
Capt. Charles f. Henry, late marshal Of the
District, was then called to the stand.
The witness said that Cameron came to his
panneled. Z. He stated that the Attorney Gene
regulGT pancl vonld probably be exhausted by
General in public life depended upon the con-
victiOn of the defandants, as he had taken
office on account of this case. He wanted,
the government He had in his hand
q slip of paper with four or five names on IL,
and suggested that they would make good tales
men. The witness said he reminded Cam
eron of the impropriety Of the Department of
Justice taking part in the selection of talesmen.
said. These defendantsIhe called them. begging
pardon of the court, So -s) should not
escape; that the Attorney General would rather
them escape: He wanted the jury, if it did not
convict, to disagree"
About the period of the conversation" said
Mr. Henry, II became a little excited, a little
indignant. and refused fatty to have anything
to do with 1t. 1t would depend, told him,
upon the evidence, and would summons good
men, good and reputable citizens" The wit
ness said that he reminded Cameron that a
verdict Of guilty obtained under such circum-
stances would be worthless.
The witness said Mr.. Cameron rendered him
the list Of names, but he declined to take it. In
selecting talesmen he did not summon any of
these men. The witness said Cameron said to
GeneraU would protect me if would see them
or help them through the trial"
The witness said his letter to Kellogg was
short, and contained a statement that the At
tOrney General was intoxicated at an interview
which the witness had with him. Here the
witness was checked by the court. He said he
the general agent Of the department had made
the proposition described.
the jury that it was impossible. if such a thing
had occurred. that the witness should not have
said any thing about 1t at that time.
EMPLOYED TO INTERVIEW DICKSON.
Percival A. Kennedy, Of Philadelphia, testi-
fed that he first became acquainted With Brew
ster Cameron here in January, 1882. He was
about the court In the star route
trials.
The witness was asked IL he had any CONVEX.
SatiOns with Brewster Cameron about following
or shadOwing Mr.. Dickson.
The question was objected to.
Counsel for defense said that they wanted to
show that Cameron had directed the witness to
Mr.. Dickson.
After some discussion the witness testified
that he had been SO directed by Mr. Cameron
He was asked by Mr.. Cameron to interview
Dickson as to his views. Mr.. Cameron asked
him to find out what Dickson's opinions were
thought about it, and went to the At
torney General and told him what Brewster
Cameron had asked him to do. The Attorney
thing OF the kind. The witness subsequently
made two statements which were taken down
by stenOgraphers-One to the Attorney General
setting forth that he had forbidden, ..and One,"
said the witness, ''in the presence of Mr. Brew
ster Cameron, denying what I have said here
today"
"Why did you deny ite" asked Mr. Smith,
81 thought If I didn't do it," said the witness,
II would lose my position"
The witness said he was then employed In the
Generals office.
After the recess Mr.. George w. Driver testi-
fed as to Bowen, Hoover and Satterwhite talk
ing their meals at his place during the first
star route trial, and to Brewster Cameron's
coming there occasionally and dining with
them. The witness then testified to Bowen's
meeting with Dickson in witness place on the