The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-22

A Political and Social Boycott Against the
Disgraced Statesman.

Political and Social Boycott Against the
Disgraced Statesman.
LONDON, Feb 20.-Sir Charles Dixie, seeing
the disastrous effect Of obstinate silence on his
part, has at last attempted to rehabilitate his
reputation In the public estimation. He author
ICES the statement that the reason he did not
testify on the trial in denial Of Mrs. Crawford's
allegations Of his beastly immoralities was that
he was prevented from doing so by advice Of
counsel He declares that he told his counsel
that he strongly desired to be heard under oath.
and went to the court expecting to be called to
the stand and fully prepared to answer in detail
all the charges against him. He claims to have
had with him letters and documents disproving
Mrs. Crawford's statements, and showing that
he had visited the Crawford mansion only Ave
times in two years. His own servants were
waiting in the corridor of the court ready to
testify that Mrs. Crawford was not accustomed
to call at his house in Sloane street Sir
Charles says he is unable to account for the
attitude of his counsel, but that as a matter of
fact Mr. Chamberlain and Russell James con-
CURED In advising him not to enter the witness
box. They assured him there was no necessity
for doing SO, as the case against him had broken
down. and Mrs. Crawford's counsel would simply
follow peculiarly offensive line of cross exam
ination If he offered them an opportunity. This
peculiar and shutting explanation only draws ad-
dltional criticism upon Sir Charles. The Pail
Mall Gazette declares that If he wishes to restore
his reputation this statement will not suffice.
He should apply to the Queens proctor for q
fresh trial of the case on tho ground of error and
collusion. and for complets investigation of his
own conduct in the premises. Meanwhile the So
cial boycott against Dixie is rapidly approaching
clubs OF which he is q member discussing the
necessity Of asking him to retire. In many
cases his former intimate friends are
not at home to him. His efforts to retain his
the meeting of the National Liberal Club the
other night on the eve of the Parliamentary or
ganization, Sir Charles who, as a member had
subscribed f100 to the political expenses of the
occasion, sent a letter Offering to attend and de-
liver an address. Several members protested
and the result was that an unofficial intimation
was conveyed to Dixie that he had better let the
matter drop and ignore an omission by the club
of the usual formal recognition of the offer
The only sympathy expressed for Sir Charles in
wife. formerly Mrs. Mark Pattison, whose de-
votion to him in the face of the accusations
against him is generally admired, and it is
widely believed that it is on her account more
than his own that he remains in England fight
ing for social and political position, rather than
follow the advice of his friends and 60 abroad
until the storm blows over.
prominent and influential Liberal states.
man only day or two ago announced his inten-
ton to cut the acquaintance Of Sir Charles. and
explained his reasons for deserting his old friend
substantially in these words ''The Judge di-
vorced Crawford from his wife upon the ground
of misconduct with an unknown man. cannot
possibly know an unknown man, and must
therefore drop Dilke"
Mr.. Crawford writes to the Times denying that
the procedure in the recent divorce trial was
the result of an arrangement or communication
between the parties. He says: "Noboby
was moro surprised than myself, and
believe, my advisers, that Sir Charles
Dixie did not enter the witness box. am not
aware that any facilities to obtain corroborative
testimony were offered Sir Charles Dixie, but
know that two detectives fruitlessly tried TO find
Fanny for several months previous to the trial
Fanny. once discovered, declined to reveal any,
thing, and after wards could not be seen"