Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-03
SATURDA MORNING. APRIL

RICH
cause the light in the car was dim, aud
because " in a street-car at night with
the lights half turned on is the dismal
est place under Hades."
CHARACTER.
The great weight and force and en-
ergy OF Judge Crump's argument was
throsn against the theory OF murder.
From an examination Of Coroner Tay-
lor's testimony; from consideration Of
the fact that there was only one track
lard very small one at that on the top
Of the embankment from the wild and
senseless distribution Of the clothes of
the deceased, be argued that Lillian
probably took her own life. He main-
tanned that the evidence proved suicide
as much as it did murder.
He discussed at sufficient length
nearly all the points raised, and insisted
that there was no evidence that Cluye-
IluH was
Here be was very strong. lie claimed
that the so-called opportunities " fer.
this crime were no opportunities at all ;
none that other men did not equally
have, and he referred to the fact that
she had been mixed up with other men.
"Much ado is made over the assumed
fact that she was in constant corre-
spoudence with him-at all times. OF
this there is no evidence whatever. 1t
is said she destroyed his letters, none
being found in her trunk. This is bare
assertion. What reason for it has been
or can be assigned? When proof is
wanting, it is supplied by conjecture
and it is not only assumed he wrote her
frequently, but that the letters would
show his guilt. This letter, written in
September, shows that she was not
writing to him regularly, but that she
was tardy correspondent. If the
charge Of the brief is true, there was
nothing to write about.
= In short, the poem found in her
trunk is the only incident which
creates the suspicion Of lewd word or
thought between them. As to that.
when she got it, how long she had it,
and from whom she received it, is the
yeriest surmise. That it is in his hand
writing is a mere matter OF opinion, and
there is not scintilla Of proof that he
gdre it TO her.
wATCH-KEY.
As to the watch.key, Judge Crump
argued that d" it could never have been
pulled Off the cham (prisOner wearing
an oyercoap unless the ring was torn,
and it was not torn
lie spoke three hours, with the ex-
ception Of few minutes in which he
was allowed to rest.
The case was then submitted TO the
court. a decision need not be ex-
pected for several weeks to come.
THE SPEECHES.
Judge Crump's speech yesterday
will rank with the very best that he
ever made. That is saying great
deal, but not too much. Ii was full OF
fire and force. There was an absence
OF rhetorical effort, but the language
was well studied and choice. The Illus
trations were vivid without being
highly coloIed. The argument only
here and there touched the mere techni-
cal points raised in the appeal. The
Judge said they had been sufficiently
discussed. The great power and
aim Of the speech was analysis Of the
evidence. The Judge forgot nothing.
Every thing that could tell against
the theory Of suicide, every point that
tended to exculpate the prisoner, he
presented with telling force. He made
the most of defences evidence; he
rijdled a good deal Of the Common
wealth's. Throughout he had the
fixed attention Of the Court.
Indeed, it may be said for the five
Judges that 1t was not possible for any
Bench to show more attention and in
terest in any case. If they ever got
weary they most successfully dis
gmsed It.
All The speeches made were good,
but the laboriDg oar" " vas in the
hands Of Mr. Meredith on the one side,
as it was in Judge Crump's on the
other. Mr.. Meredith successfully main
tanned before this court the eminence
which lie as an able and courageous
lawyer has honestly earned, and he
had fire supporters in Colonel Aylett
ard the Attorney-General, while Messrs.
Pollard and Evans, on the other side.
made the very best possible presenta-
tion Of the points assigned to them for
discussion. Colonel Ay lett and Mcssrs.
Evans and Pollard returned home seye-
raj days ago.
Mr.. Beverly 7. Crump, who made
the opening argument FOR the prisoner,
covered the ground assigned him in
a compact, clear, and able speech.
THE PROSPECT.
viii Cluyerius get new trial;
The Court only knows;
1t is believed that the strongest
points prisoners counsel made were a.
to &" the leading questions " asked Mr..
Archer, the admission Of 1.-The Laura
Curtis letter" and q" the torn note"
Some think the tremendous battering
that Judge Crunp yesterday gave the
evidence FOR the Commonwealth may
shake the Courts faith as u whether
any murdeI-,he corpus deIieti--Sa,
proved.
Statement of the Public Debt.
The following is a statement Of the
public debt Of Virginia under the Rid
dleberger bill to 3lst March, loS6:
Surrender TO March l. Iss6.-ss. 800. .32l 50
Surrender during March.