The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-25
SOCIALISTS ON TRIAL.
An Attempt to Use Chamberlain as q Wit
ness-The Prisoners Remanded.

An Attempt to Use Chamberlain q Wit
ness-The Prisoners Remanded.
LONDON, Feb. "a The hearing in the case Of
Burns Hyndman, Champion and Williams. the
Socialist leaders, who are accused by the
authorities of having melted the recent riots at
Trafalgar square and Hyde Park, was resumed
to-day. The session was devoted principally to
hearing the testimony of newspaper reporters as
to the exact language used by the defendants in
their inf1ammatory speeches Mr.. Hyndman,
before the proceedings were formally opened,
entered q complaint against the editor and
proprietors of Punch, and asked for
their arrest. He alleged that they
had attempted to excite the public
against the defendants and prejudice their trial
by publishing picture of 'Mr. Punch" in the
act of publicly hanging them, in this way sug-
gestng to the people form of vengeance to in
fict upon the defendants. The magistrate de-
clined Mr.. Hyndmans request saying he had no
power to interfere on the grounds specified.
Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain President of the Lo-
cal Government Board, and Mr.. Jesse Ceilings,
nj. P, and author Of the ''three acres and a cow"
amendmsndment on which the Conservative
Ministry was defeated. we're present during the
later stages Of the hearing. The magistrate,
after the reporters had concluded their testi-
mony, announced that he intended to commit all
the prisoners for trial.
Mr.. Willams's counsel, upon this, arose, and
contended that his client was outside the indict-
rnent and could not, therefore, be included in
the order for trial. The lawyer argued that the
words used by his client were not so strong as
IL. T. l-.1. T. A.
Pointing to Mr.. Chamberlain, the counsel said:
''When the right honorable member for Birmihg-
ham has employed in the House Of Commons
even stronger language than that imputed to my
client, he has been applauded." This panic and
prosecution, counsel declared, are intended to
shield Mr.. Childers, the Home Secretary, and
the police who are answerable for the whole
trouble.
Hyndman, who defended himself denied that
there was any case against either himself or his
companions. He said: ''If I arn to be condemned
on my speeches, then Mr.. Chamberlain should
stand in the dock with me-" Hyndman also con-
tended that the whole blame rested on the po-
lice, which could and should have prevented the
rioting.
Mr.. Chamberlain consented to be sworn as a
witness. When he had taken the oath. Cham
pion asked him what were the governments in
tentions in regard to relieving the distress
among the unemployed, and whether he
himself advocated revolution in the land laws Of
Englandg The magistrate refused to allow the
questions, as put, to be answered by the witness.
Champion explained that he desired merely to
examine Mr. Chamberlain as an expert The
magistrate asked: "What in7 Revolution9"
Champion replied mo; in political agitation"
1.-THE magistrate again refused to permit such
An examination of the witness.
Mr.. Gladstone's private secretary was the next
witness, but nothing of Importance was elected
from him.
The prisoners were remanded until Saturday,
when they will be committed for trial for misde-
meanor.