Savannah morning news., 1885-11-08
BANKER ROBERTs AGAIN.
His Case Advanced on the Docket of the
Supreme Court.

His Case Advanced on the Docket of the
Supreme Court.
The case Of w. s. Roberts, the default
ing President OF the Bank OF Augusta.
which was heard at the last June term of
the United States District and Circuit
Courts in this city, will come up for
hearing in the United States Supreme
Court on Nov. 16. The circumstances of
the failure OF the bank, the arrest of its
president and the several hearings of the
case in the State courts are readily re-
called. The de cision of the supreme Court
to which the case has now been taken will
finally settle the question whether Mr.
Roberts shall 20 to New York in Obedi-
ence to the requisitiOn Of the Governor of
that state or remain at home to answer
the charges preferred against him by the
grand jury of his own State and COUNT.
After the case was heard before Judge
Speer in this city last June, and Roberts
was remanded to the custody OF the New
York agent, who had charge of him under
requisltinn from Gov. Hill, an appeal
was taken from the United States District
Court TO the United States Circuit Court.
and pending tnis hearing Mr.. Roberts was
admitted TO bail At this time the grand
jury of Richmond county was IN session
and several indictments were found
emOeZZlement aud other Otienses in con-
nection with his Office as President of the
Bank of Augusta. Upon the hearing Of
toe appeal before the Circuit Judg the
judgment of the court below was affirmed.
but judgment was STAYED FIR thirty
da S, owing to the critical condition of
Mr.. Roberts. During this time applica-
t1On was again made to GOV. Mcdaniel to
revoke his warrant and allow Mr.. Roberts
fg, ray afv,f ...rf. 4
dictments that had been found against
him here. This application was refused
June -. On June 20 an appeal was taken
| to the Supreme Court Of the United States
With the Supreme Court doc6ets crowded
for three years to come it was thought that
| tue matter would rest for q time ANYWAY.
Roberts was out on $4,000 bail, the ap-
peal to the supreme Court STAYED all pro-
ceedings OF every kind in any other court.
and as in the regular course of its bust
ness the case could not be reached in less
than three years, the defense was dis
posed to take things easily for a while.
Tne prosecution, however, was as Wig
orOus and determined as the defense had
been persistent and gallant, and they at
once set to work to take the only available
step TO hasten the hearing in the Supreme
Court, which was to have the case nd
Vanced on the docket OF the Supreme
t'Ai VI but 1hibct olNtte. ana not await
its regular order of trial. This notion TO
advance was made under provisions the
ulted States statutes, providing tbat i'm
cases in the United States Courts where a
State is party sit shall be the duty OF
such court on sufficient reason shown To
give such cause priority over ali other
civil suits pending in such court between
private parties"
1t was also urged on the ground "that
upon the undlsputed facts the case is one
so special and peculiar in its circum-
stances as TO justify a speedy hearing"
Accordingly argument was had before
the supreme Court on the question of ad-
yaneing the case.
An Endorsement of the proceedings was
presented TO the court by GOV. Hill, OF
New York, who asked that the appel be
heard as a preferred cause or that II be
dismissed. The Governor also author
thorized the District Attorney OF
the state TO take such proceedings
as he might deem advisable 70 secure the
enforcement OF the requisition. In ac-
cordance with the motion OF the prosecu-
tlon and the petition Of the Governor OF
New York. the appeal was advanced on
the docket of the Supreme Court, and set
for hearing on Monday. Nov. l6.
The case has attracted great deal Of
attention, ana the decision OF the Supreme
Court will be awaited with interest.