Morning journal and courier., 1886-03-23
THE THRASHER CASE.
The Bethel superintendent Presen
 Hfa Defense Last Evening"

The Bethel superintendent Presents
 His Defense Last Evening.
 The trial of MT. Thrasher, the Bethel agent, was reopened last evening. Judge l.. B. Morris and Rev. Dr. Munger of the com mittee were present and determined to con- tinue the hearing, notwithstanding the ab- sence of Dr. Samson, who was detained by illness. The prosecution made some objec- tion to proceeding, but their opposition was overruled. The accusers added some unim- portant corroborative testimony, and at their conclusion the defence was opened. During the defence there was some disorder, but this promptly stopped by Judge Morris in the chair. NIT. Booth, president of the Sea mems Friend society, was the first speaker for the defence. The tenor of Mrs. Booths remarks was that the ladies of the society had perfect confidence in MT. Thrasher; that she had known him for seven years and had never heard a word from him which could not be listened to by any lady; that Harrison conld have been kept quiet if the required quietus had been given him; that every statement of the accusers in regard to Thrasher insulting ladies was entirely untrue; that he had been doing excellent work and was perfectly fitted for the place; that no one ever had or ever would hold position in the Bethel or Home except subordinate to MT. Thrasher; that he was the life and heart of the work.
 MT. Thrasher then in his defense called up and answered point by point in clear and convincing manner, first, that he had bor- rowed and returned money to MT. Potter; that the Japanese sailor whom they said he robbed never charged him with so doing ,and that MT. Harrison's statement that he had read the Jap's accounts not write English. MT. Thrasher here pro- duced a letter from Professor Henry w. Far nam saying that the Jap was well treated and corroborating the fact of the accounts being in Japanese. Mr. Thrasher continued that it was false that he prostituted the Bethel to political purposes, and called MT. Sheppard to confirm this. MT. Sheppard said further that he knew Thrasher to be man of honor, reciting how he had seen the latter give his bed covering to suffer- ing sailor. Mrs. Cowles also testified in favor of MT. Thrssher. The defendant denied that he called MT. Garfield @ liar, etc., and called upon MT. Martin to testify to good character. The accused attempted to read one of the anonymous letters sent by MT. Harrison, but it was not allowed in evil dence for the reason that all were not in ex- istence Dr. Skiff testified for the defence that the alleged fight occurred when MT. Thrasher was sending for policeman to ar rest drunken sailor, and was not only jus tifable but necessary.
 Dr. Newman Smyth said that MT. Gower called upon him and tried to prejudice him against MT. Thrasher in very unfair manner andc that he GSmyth)fthen told Gower any man who would treasure up a nasty story to use against another was worse than the teller of the story.
 By the testimony of competent witnesses Mir. Thrasher entirely refuted the stories about his distributing beer after the election. During the course of the examination there a tyraat deal of r1araO0alitv and amusement was created by some of the tilts.
 When the hearing in rebuttal was conclud- ed fhesmeeting adjourned sine die,
 The committee will confer and take action in the near future when their decision will be given to the public.