The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-28
THE DICKSON TRIAL.

THE DICKSON TRIAL.
The Defendant Is Acquitted, and at Once
Sues Mr. Brewster for $50, 900 Damages.
WASHINGTON, April Elm the Dickson trial.
this morning, ex Attorney general Brewster was
present and took the witness stand. He was
asked to state what took place at his interview
with Kennedy early in the star-route trial He
said that Kennedy came and told him that
Dickson wanted to take ride with him
fKennedy), and talk about the star route trials,
and about what was going on in the jury-room.
he (Brewster) was indignant, and told Kennedy
not to dare talk with the iurymen; it would be
an outrage upon the government
Counsel for defense objected, on the ground
that the witness was making a speech for the
government and not giving testimony. After
short colloquy, the court ruled that the nara
ten of the conversation was relevant. The wit
ness. proceeding, said he told Kennedy emphat-
ically that he had no right to talk with Dickson,
and it would be criminal in him. He (Brewster)
would report it to the court.
'sDid Kennedy say anything at that interview
about having been told by Brewster Cameron to
talk with Dickson9'
mot word
The witness knew ex-Marshal Henry only as a
marshal of the court. He remembered an inter
view with him about the selection of talesmen.
Estate whether or not you told Henry that
the country would hold him responsible if the
defendants were not convicted
Never word 1t would be an insult" re
spoEded Brewster.
Mr. Smith, counsel for defense, entered Wig
orous objection. This witness was brought here
TO make an argument. A lively coloquy ensued
between counsel, court and witness. The former
maintained that this witness was brought here
not to give testimony, but to make an argument
before the jury. This proceeding was extraor-
binary, and it was an outrage upon the defend
ant.
Mr. Brewster-I am not to be treated here in
this way, sir | am not brought here to be in
suited.
Mr. Smith produced copy of local newspa
per containing an interview between the witness
and Marshal Henry, and reading from it, asked
if he told the marshal IF this trial miscarries,
the censure falls upon you you will never
escape it as long you live"
Mr. Brewster-Never. / never did say that
called upon him as an accused man. | told
him that If it turned out that these taesmen
were put there by him designediy why then;
iBrewster would see him punished, and he
(Henryl would never escape the consequences.
WAS there a stenographer concealed behind
the screen2"
There was no screen in the room"
s'Was there SteEographer present."
Eyes sir He was in plain sight. as near to
me and in as plain sight as is the clerk of the
court now
s'Who was the stenographer9"
"a. r. York. called at the department to
get him to come here to-day, but found he was
in the West, taking testimony"
''Mr Brewster, are you acquainted with
Henry A Bowen2'
mo SIR" with great emphasis) II never
saw him but twice in my life."
The district attorney tried to inject an objec
ton
The witness-sI bad rather answer have
been assailed about that. / never had three
minutes conversation with him in my life"
WELL you appointed him to an Office, did not
mo, sir. The general agent appointed him
He selected him, and Mr.. Lincoln recommended
him."
The court then stated that he could not per
NIT the examination to proceed in that direction
any further; so the witness was dismissed
The taking of evidence then closed.
After argument for the prosecution, the de-
fence submitted the case without argument
Judge Macarthur then charged the jury He
said the material matter to be inquired into was
whether the defendant made an attempt to cor
rupt the jury. The offense described in the in
dictinent was the reading of certain writing to
bu0 stdT-FOuto jury. lie IcdulIlS Vi tHe paper
was admitted Whether it was read with COR
rupt intent should be determined by the circum.
stances There was no doubt at all that Mr..
Dickson's act in conversing with Bowen about
the case during the trial. most irregular
and reprehensible act. He thought the jury was
justified in nferring that Bowen did undoubtedly
make an attempt to corrupt Mr.. Dickson. All the
jurors, except one declared the belief that
Dickson did not intend to influence their iudg-
ment. He thought there could be no doubt at
all that set of men were set upon that jury to
watch them, and many OF them undoubtedly
mistook their duty and went so far as to involve
themselves in crime. Several of the Jurors
spoke OF this in the jury-room and finally vote
was taken, and Mr.. Dickson read the paper.
From these various circumstances the jury must
determn whether he had in his heart. at the
time. corrupt motive In order to convict they
must be convinced that he entertained a cor
Tupt motive.
The jury then retired, and, after an absence Of
half an hour, returned verdict of not guilty.
Mr. Dickson, this afternoon entered suit
against ex-Attorney general Brewster for libel,
laying damages at $50, coo, in having, in Phila-
delphia. on the 23rd of April to reporter of
the Press used the following language of and
concerning him: dickson sold that trial
Bowen was bad man, too-nearly as bad as
Dickson. and that is saying great dean
Through this utterance. Mr.. Dickson claims he
has suffered in his reputation. The writ was
placed in the marshal's hands but the deputy
failed to serve it before Mr.. Brewster left the
city
MINOR MENTION.